Subtraction.
- clearstreamzendo
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
This week’s topic for reflection is subtraction. What do we need to do less for our life to go better? It might be letting go of an expectation that’s not realistic. Or something that is being put off or procrastinated over. A negative or down attitude. Somethings are done out of habit and they’re not worth it anymore. Take a few minutes to reflect and inventory what’s in the way or is a hinderance that could be subtracted. Subtracting unnecessary things can reveal opportunities for increased enjoyment and satisfaction. Sometimes less can lead to more.
There are things that need to be dealt with even though they weigh us down and feel burdensome. Perhaps there is a different way of approaching these things that could lessen the heaviness. Perhaps remember you are doing it with love and because of love or because you care. What can you subtract to lighten your load? Practice putting down your burden.
There can be things that we used to do that are no longer realistic due to our changed situation. It can be difficult to let them go and find new ways to be happy and satisfied. We go through different phases of life. Each phase is rich in its own way. For example when I was in the hospital and very sick I learned how to ask for help. I had to let go of the “I can do it myself” approach that I had developed throughout my life. I had to learn to push the button and say I was cold and “Yes, I would like another blanket.” People appreciated being given the opportunity to be helpful. In this new situation, subtracting the “I can do it myself” helped everyone, including my ability to heal.
Pain and difficulty are a part of life that we need to deal with and experience. However, we don’t need to add to it in ways that make it worse. We can recognize the ways we make life harder and find creative ways to subtract them. Everyone benefits from this.
Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
Gassho,
Futai
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