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Natural Awakenings South Jersey

Life According To?

Jun 29, 2016 12:42PM ● By Seijaku Roshi

Fundamental to Zen Spirituality is the question of, “What is Appropriate?” The dictionary defines “appropriate” as “suitable or proper in the circumstances.”  We practice or train to cultivate the wisdom to live our lives authentically and appropriately.

 

In the Zendo (meditation hall), the senior monk rises before dismissing the monks following the evening prayers to recite the “Evening Dharani”: Permit me to respectfully remind you. Birth and Death is The Supreme Matter. Everything is of the nature of impermanence: Gone, gone, forever gone. Opportunity is too often lost. Do not squander your life.”  What is “suitable or proper” in the circumstance of impermanence?

 

We are born and we will inevitably die. How do I live my life, given that I will die and so will everyone I know but, more importantly, neither I or anyone else knows the hour of his or her passing?

 

The reality of impermanence whether we like to think about it or not is the “Supreme Matter”, which must be resolved if we ever expect to live life in a way that we fully experience being alive. Forget “mindfulness” apart from resolving the matter of impermanence. No matter how much we train in mindfulness if we have not resolved the reality of impermanence we are never really fully present to the moment. We will always procrastinate or be distracted because ego has deluded us into thinking we have time, or they will be there later.

 

What would your life look like tomorrow if you really knew that you haven’t a clue as to when it will all end? What would you say or do with a loved one if you truly considered the real possibility that they might not come home tonight? I often tell people that every single person who entered the Twin Towers in New York City on 9/11, assumed without even thinking about it, that they were returning home that evening. Also, their loved one who may have kissed them goodbye assumed the same as well.

 

What is the appropriate way to live your life given that your life is “of the nature of impermanence”? This is where you begin. Not in the future, that place you hope to arrive one day never knowing for sure you’ll get there; Not in the past, it’s already “gone, forever gone.”  Right here, you look in your heart and ask yourself the questions you’ve taken for granted, “With whatever time I have to live how do I want to live my life?” “Who do I want to be?” “What do I want the ones I love to know?” “What do I want them to remember… when I am gone, forever gone?” Then act accordingly. Choose; decide; plan, accordingly—appropriately.

 

Now you are ready to live your life! Just in case you got distracted again, remember… “Everything, everyone, is of the nature of impermanence.” Act accordingly!

 

I Love You.

 

Seijaku Roshi is an American Zen Master, parent, Buddhist priest, author, life coach, keynote speaker, and visionary pioneer on the principles of “Authentic Spirituality”. He is the founder of The Zen Society and Abbot of Pine Wind Zen Community/Jizo-an Monastery in Shamong, NJ.

 

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