This week’s topic for reflection is beliefs. Please start with your belief about yourself. As Joko Beck said in her book “Ordinary Wonder”, “The war is between the way we think we should be and who we really are.” This belief might be something you’re not actually aware of. It could be something you are aware of and know it’s not true and you find yourself coming from this place again and again. A lot of times it can be more obvious to others than it is to us. You can have more than one belief about yourself that is very important and has been with you since way back. Examples of beliefs are I'm not good enough, I'm never appreciated, I'm separate and alone or I'm unattractive. Settle on a belief that seems to be approachable and workable. I find that a good way to approach this topic is to patiently hold the belief as a question or gentle inquiry allowing it to reveal itself or speak to me. You might want to have a conversation about this belief with someone who knows you well and you trust.
Do you have other beliefs not necessarily regarding yourself? For example how things are supposed to be or how things are supposed to go. These could be good or bad, beneficial or not beneficial.
What’s the difference between beliefs and ideas? Do beliefs need a past and a future as an anchor? Look again at you’re own beliefs. There’s a koan about this that goes like this. “Everyday Master Zuigan used to call to himself, “Master!” and would answer, “Yes!” Again he would call, “Thoroughly awake! Thoroughly awake!” And would answer,”Yes! Yes!” “Don’t be deceived by others, any day or any time.” “No! No!” This deception is referring to these troublesome beliefs. Everyday is an important word in this koan as he calls himself Master, (not servant or victim). Being the “Master” he chooses to be thoroughly awake. These deceitful others are all around, even inside us, pushing us around. Everyday, any day or any time.
A famous story in Zen lore about this topic happens when Bodhidharma visited Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu asked Bodhidharma, “Who is this who stands before me?” and Bodhidharma replied, “I know not.” A slippery response perhaps indicating he sees through any “belief” he might have. This not knowing can also be seen as thoroughly affirmative and inclusive. And Maezumi Roshi said, “Everyone has to stand somewhere.” Setting your beliefs aside, how would you answer, “Who is this who stands before me?”
Please join us on Zoom for morning zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, in person Zen meditation in Eugene Saturday morning at the McNail-Riley house from 8:30 to 11:00 and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
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