Fear: Friend or Foe?

[Shinshou]

As a nurse, when a colleague yells for help and I know it's time for resuscitation efforts, there is a wave of fear that runs through me. But I am already up, already assessing, already compressing, bagging, starting an IV...The reason is that I've actually done these things in a controlled atmosphere, and when the moment comes that they're needed in "real life," even if that moment is when it's the hardest, I know what to do. I think this is the same for sitting zazen. The point is to be able to structure a life that's aware, accepting, yet still...lived. That can happen because I've done it in a controlled environment - sitting still, staring at a wall.

[Mp]

As a nurse, when a colleague yells for help and I know it's time for resuscitation efforts, there is a wave of fear that runs through me. But I am already up, already assessing, already compressing, bagging, starting an IV...The reason is that I've actually done these things in a controlled atmosphere, and when the moment comes that they're needed in "real life," even if that moment is when it's the hardest, I know what to do. I think this is the same for sitting zazen. The point is to be able to structure a life that's aware, accepting, yet still...lived. That can happen because I've done it in a controlled environment - sitting still, staring at a wall.

Yes, nicely said .... this is zazen taking out into the world.

It is important that we sit first, we first experience the beauty of Shikantaza right to the bone. Then from there we are better able to engage with the world around us, from a place of structure, a place of stability, from the essence of zazen. =)

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday/LAH

[Amelia]

Thank you for your good work, Daniel.

Gassho, sat today, lah