Category: Joy in Meditation

Self, Joy, Meditation, Art of Allowing

— Interview with Lisa Erickson, Part Eight—
Go to Part One of Lisa Erickson’s Interview—
Mommy Mystic- Meditation, Yoga, Integrity and Surrender

Meditation How: Thank you for all of that— your point on war in particular. I appreciate everything you are saying. I don’t believe either you or I are comfortable with claiming to know “how it all works”. When you spoke about us all being peace and light, I believe you hit it on the nail. I also want to address your remarks about the goal being the same for all. I would like to rephrase everything I said about freedom being the goal. What I really want to say is that I believe that freedom is our starting place and birthright. Goals are something very different and deal with manifestations and expressions of that freedom, which is diverse in the extreme.

For me, recognizing this freedom is paramount before any goal need be considered. Otherwise those goals are tainted with programming. Some of us find enough comfort in that freedom that no further purpose need be designed. Meditation is for me the means by which, regardless of the technique, for recovering that freedom. Must we do anything with that freedom, once recovered? Is it not our identifications, ambitions, and goals that set us up for conflict— i.e. this is how it works? Perhaps this idea alone is too much to suggest.

Lisa: You know, your final questions here are exactly where I am at the moment— how to be of true service, service coming from light, as a vehicle of light, instead of from ego. Or is that desire just ego itself? So I am working through this one myself right now, hence some of the waffling that may have come through my answers. I feel I am an ‘action’ being, I have always been an active person, and now my karma has led to me having three kids!—(which I never thought I would have BTW, I was practically a monastic for many years).

So somehow, my life seems to have led me to a point where I am supposed to be engaged. And I do believe nothing, no experience, is wasted. So I am trying to see at the moment, exactly how I can let myself be ‘used’ by the light, I am trying to surrender my purpose, and allow myself to be guided, while remaining every vigilant for signs that I am acting from ego. And I am not quite sure yet where it is all going!

Meditation How: Krishnamurti in his book As One Is asserts that self-knowledge is not cumulative. I love these words, as they remind us that there is no way to know where it is all going, or for that matter, who we are apart from this light and this moment. Your “trying to see at the moment” is a good sign, I believe. It is when we are certain of something that we are not really present. In certainty we are carrying some narrowed view, missing life, and attracting conflict. I don’t need to ask any more questions, but I wanted to offer you the opportunity to respond and say anything more you’d like to say. I have really enjoyed this discussion with you.

Lisa: ‘Self-knowledge is not cumulative’, I love that also, and I feel the truth of it. And yet increasingly I do feel called to act in the world, in a way that I did not feel pulled to even just a couple of years ago. I think it is partly based on becoming a parent, and partly just a reflection of that ‘active’ nature I talked about earlier— that this is the way light comes through me.

I do think of each of us like this unique prism, with the light coming through us and refracting into the world in a wholly unique way. Some teach, some write, some paint, some become involved in social causes, and some simply dwell in being. I have enjoyed our discussion also, and really don’t have anything more to add.

Meditation How: Well put. After all, what is life without expression? I believe that the quality of that expression and its integrity lies in our willingness to drop ego, big plans, ideologies, and surrender to inner light— allowing that light to naturally ignite and inspire our activities. What a great process. Thank you again for participating.

Self adn Joy - The Art of Allowing and MeditationAbout Lisa: Lisa is a meditation teacher, mom, and writer. She primarily teaches chakra meditation, combining practices drawn from Vajrayana Buddhism, kundalini yoga, and shamanic traditions. She has a deep interest in metaphysics and mysticism, and writes about these topics, as well as spiritual books, parenting, and women’s spirituality, on her blog Mommy Mystic. She is also the Buddhism editor for BellaOnline.

Zen Buddhist Meditation – An Interview w/ Genko Rainwater

—An Interview with Genko Rainwater, Part Six—
>>> Part One: Shikantaza Meditation – Sitting, Practice, Techniques

Meditation How: There was something I wanted to get at before, but it was not clear. In the interim it has emerged from the fog and so I want to address it. I believe that we have agreed together in the course of this interview that all human beings are fallible— that emotions are what they are (though we may learn to observe them as if a storm). You believe that a teacher is essential— someone you can trust. I believe that nature itself can be trusted— trusted to be itself, whether human or any other expression— ultimately beneficent.

You mentioned that “there is a force in the universe that cares and has power to change one’s life”. Is this not a single force that is embodied in all nature? Why isolate this nature and trust it in a few persons only? I would be concerned over being somehow prevented from experiencing nature in its full range. You say “Everything that has happened to me is part of what has given me the insights I have so far.” Is this limited to formal teachings? I wonder if you could address this.

Genko: Oh, that is skillful means— a teacher, that is. I believe that for me, it has been essential to have a teacher, and probably the specific teacher(s) I have found. Who knows what karmic conditions led me here? The teachings are what we sometimes call “a finger pointing to the moon”— cautioning not to value the finger over the moon itself. We can’t really put into words what this is.

In Zen we talk about Emptiness or Suchness— a thing as it is or sometimes “that which is greater”—that which we can’t define or put into any sort of words. I don’t know that it is a single force. I certainly wouldn’t isolate it or try to define it. I’m not sure I would agree that Nature is beneficent. I think it is much more neutral than that—saying that though, I would agree that there is a lot to learn from Nature—from simple observation and reflection.

My teacher is definitely fallible. I can see him as the goofball he is, with the failings he has, and also see him as Buddha. I have projected a lot of stuff on to him, and he simply sits there and absorbs it, to my great gratitude. I see myself projecting stuff onto him—see all the ways I falter in my relationship with him. And I see him as essential to my finding myself. At some point, I will be able to leave him behind. There are many sources of teaching—all my experiences, everything and everyone I meet day to day, moment by moment.

There are endless writings and commentaries of teachings. In Buddhism we don’t have an agreed-upon canon of writings, though there are many that most Buddhist groups value. Nothing is left out. No one is left out. It is not mine to tell anyone else what their path is. I can only find my own path and follow it to the best of my ability. If someone can find some value in observing me, in my relating my experience, that is my wish.

Meditation How: All very well put in my opinion. Thank you so much for opening your heart and sharing so much of your personal meditation experience. I have enjoyed this process. I have no more questions. I just want to thank you.

Genko: You are welcome. It is part of my vow, of course, to cultivate just that openness and willingness to share. I’ve enjoyed it too. It always gives me more grist for my own reflections. I’m trying to write a dharma talk, and this has actually provided me with some material. So thank you also for pursuing your questions.

Zen Buddhist Meditation Experiences - Interview w/ Genko RainwaterAbout Genko: Genko is a monk at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland, Oregon. She has been in residence there for ten years. She occasionally teaches workshops on zen meditation.

Meditation – Childlike Wonder, Joy, Being Present

—My Personal Meditation Story, Part Fifteen—
Go to Part One of— Beginning Meditation – My Meditation Story

”Babies are full of wonder and absolutely in the present moment.”

Surrendering to Joy
In 1989 I had the wonderful experience of witnessing the birth of my first child—a little redheaded baby girl who in July of this year will turn twenty-one. She is a delight. Witnessing her birth was witnessing a miracle and a deep meditation for me. She didn’t cry but instead whimpered softly when she was born. The world truly seemed to come to a stop or standstill at the moment she was born. I have witnessed nothing like it since.

I have three children and yet only on this first occasion did I witness this standstill. Perhaps it was there for the others and I was not tuned in enough to experience it. I don’t know. It was a hush that came over the birthing room. It was if all things in the universe were listening carefully and attending the birth on some energetic level. An irreversible and positive change was occurring in the cosmos and a gentle pause was necessary.

Innocence and Wonder
Babies are amazing. They are full of wonder and absolutely in the present moment. What a joy it is to play with children and surrender to their innocence and wonder. One must let go of the “grownup” sensibility and become part of the playfulness and simplicity. It is indeed a great meditation to get back in touch with the inner child still inside.

I recommend spending time with children. There is nothing like it. Here I am twenty years later and I take every opportunity to connect with kids. I was sitting in a coffee shop recently and this baby noticed me. He started looking at me with wonder. I met eyes with him and tried to let go and be as innocent and full of wonder as he was. I longed for my own childlike wonder.

Trust and Simplicity
That level of trust and simplicity is so inviting. Can we recover it in ourselves? Sometimes the Mother is protective and will give a glance of disapproval. Honestly, more often than not it is the baby who begins it. They are so curious and excited about their surroundings. They are like Buddha—eyes open wide—souls wide open—receptive and pure. This is one of my favorite forms of meditation.

Take the next opportunity to meet eyes with a baby and let go of all of the stuff of identity and pretense. It may trigger a rebirth in you. It almost always does in me. You let go to that degree and laugh and look around and your surroundings as if you got here just now for the first time. What is this all about? What interesting colors and shapes. What is this all for? Who am I? Am I anything?

Continue reading My Personal Meditation Story, Part Sixteen.