The phrase "... embracing all conditions of life" has been on my mind a lot lately. When things are going the way I prefer, it's easy. I could embrace that all day. Even when things aren't wonderful, I can do some "embracing"... with a few reminders.
But there are times when things are terribly painful and scary. My family and I experienced one of those times recently. Now, as bad as it seemed at the time, I figured I could "accept" it... but "embrace?" I wasn't sure about that. My thoughts went in all directions. The idea of embracing the situation (a medical crisis) seemed wrong. I felt guilty just thinking about embracing it. But I did. And I learned something. "Embracing" isn't an idea, it's a completely intimate thing. And I wasn't embracing the event by itself.. There was no "itself". When you embrace, it's the whole deal. And it turns out that this embracing eases suffering. (go figure)
Now, this should not have been news to me. It's our teachings and our practice. But the truth is that my reaction to painful events has always leaned towards avoidance, withdrawal and despair. And that may always be my first reaction, who knows. But now I know that the embrace won't kill me. It's honest and probably the best way to greet "all conditions of life"... as hard as it may sometimes seem.
I have no idea if this is helpful to anyone, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
(I'm happy to report that the crisis has ended and things are looking up)
Gassho, Entai
But there are times when things are terribly painful and scary. My family and I experienced one of those times recently. Now, as bad as it seemed at the time, I figured I could "accept" it... but "embrace?" I wasn't sure about that. My thoughts went in all directions. The idea of embracing the situation (a medical crisis) seemed wrong. I felt guilty just thinking about embracing it. But I did. And I learned something. "Embracing" isn't an idea, it's a completely intimate thing. And I wasn't embracing the event by itself.. There was no "itself". When you embrace, it's the whole deal. And it turns out that this embracing eases suffering. (go figure)
Now, this should not have been news to me. It's our teachings and our practice. But the truth is that my reaction to painful events has always leaned towards avoidance, withdrawal and despair. And that may always be my first reaction, who knows. But now I know that the embrace won't kill me. It's honest and probably the best way to greet "all conditions of life"... as hard as it may sometimes seem.
I have no idea if this is helpful to anyone, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
(I'm happy to report that the crisis has ended and things are looking up)
Gassho, Entai
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