Hi.
When we think of engaged Buddhism we always imagine it being something grand, like, helping people find water in the desert, or providing for the needy. or any number of other wonderful pursuits that certainly make the world a better place. I talk about it a lot myself with my work with veterans and people in recovery from various things.
It occurred to me this morning that it can be something much more quiet and seemingly small as well. My bonus off of that doesn't say I have to do something ...huge... to save all sentient beings, it just says I intend to save all sentient beings.
So I'm sitting in the doctor's office today waiting to be called. I spend a lot of time in doctors waiting rooms these days. It turns out it's a great place to sit. Once you check in, you can use the waiting time for zazen, and the nurse finally calling your name is the Bell... But there's more. What a great opportunity for Metta practice!!
With each person who gets called ahead of you, instead of being frustrated by the wait, think, "May this person have happiness ..."
- even better if you catch the name!!!
"May Leonard be free of suffering; may he feel safe and still.
May Leonard be free of enmity; may he be loving, grateful and kind.
May Leonard be healthy and at ease in all his ills.
May he be at peace, embracing all conditions of life."
Then the next name.
"May Agnes be free of suffering..."
Then, when they finally get to me,
"May I be free of suffering..."
I should remind myself to throw the staffers in there, too.
Not every act of a Bodhisattva needs to be grand. Sometimes the biggest things we can do are the ones nobody sees.
Not a teaching, I'm just a guy fumbling through how to make all this real in my life as it is. These are just my own random thoughts on a rainy day in a doctor's office.
All of life is our temple.
ST
LAH
Ankai
When we think of engaged Buddhism we always imagine it being something grand, like, helping people find water in the desert, or providing for the needy. or any number of other wonderful pursuits that certainly make the world a better place. I talk about it a lot myself with my work with veterans and people in recovery from various things.
It occurred to me this morning that it can be something much more quiet and seemingly small as well. My bonus off of that doesn't say I have to do something ...huge... to save all sentient beings, it just says I intend to save all sentient beings.
So I'm sitting in the doctor's office today waiting to be called. I spend a lot of time in doctors waiting rooms these days. It turns out it's a great place to sit. Once you check in, you can use the waiting time for zazen, and the nurse finally calling your name is the Bell... But there's more. What a great opportunity for Metta practice!!
With each person who gets called ahead of you, instead of being frustrated by the wait, think, "May this person have happiness ..."
- even better if you catch the name!!!
"May Leonard be free of suffering; may he feel safe and still.
May Leonard be free of enmity; may he be loving, grateful and kind.
May Leonard be healthy and at ease in all his ills.
May he be at peace, embracing all conditions of life."
Then the next name.
"May Agnes be free of suffering..."
Then, when they finally get to me,
"May I be free of suffering..."
I should remind myself to throw the staffers in there, too.
Not every act of a Bodhisattva needs to be grand. Sometimes the biggest things we can do are the ones nobody sees.
Not a teaching, I'm just a guy fumbling through how to make all this real in my life as it is. These are just my own random thoughts on a rainy day in a doctor's office.
All of life is our temple.
ST
LAH
Ankai
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