Your Voice.
- clearstreamzendo
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
This week’s topic for refection is your voice. Utilizing our voices we express what we think and what is in our heart. Our voice functions with the breath. The breath makes it possible for the voice to be real and create change in the world. This voice is open, in the moment, confident and humble.
What we say can be helpful or harmful, honest or deceitful. What we say reveals where we are coming from. Our personal morality or ethics. Are we humble and respectful or arrogant and self-centered? Sometimes in a learning moment I’ll say something and think, “Wow. Did I say that?” There is a close relationship between our speech and our actions so be mindful and careful of what is said and how it is said.
Zen teacher Joko Beck would sometimes ask in private interview with students, “What don’t you want to talk about?” This is very good way to open up the teacher student relationship, giving each of them the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings without judgement. Learn from your secrets. What are they hiding or protecting and why is this necessary? Sometimes I feel I need to be a certain way and I’m really not that way. It takes a lot of effort to show up in this idealized way. It’s much easier to be humble and authentic, allowing others to see how and who I really am. In other words it’s easier to use my authentic voice. This can even help others to relax a bit and share more openly. This of coarse while being resposible.
What we say is like dropping a pebble in a pond. This creates circles of ripples that go on and on, reaching further and further. The ripples travel in all directions including in. Yes, including in. We can improve ourselves by using our voice and our hearing of other voices. Our voice is not only our words but what is behind them. We may not be aware of what is behind our words but it can be what others hear and what deeply effects them.
My first and root Zen teacher Maezumi Roshi said many things to me that I did not understand. I would ask him what he meant and sometimes he would say a little more which would not help. Now many decades later I continue to learn from him after I have forgotten most of the words he said. I am now more able to see where he was coming from behind the words. Realizing from within myself where someone is coming from allows confusing words to suddenly make sense.
I stepped outside this sunny, clear, spring morning to the sound of birds singing from all directions. Voices were all around. Yesterday when I stepped outside our front door a doe with her two or three day old fawn was there quietly nibbling on the plants. The doe looked over toward me with her young fawn staying very close. Their quiet voices spoke to me as they turned and walked away. Voices are everywhere, all around, so rich and colorful.
It’s important for each of us to find our voice. The source of our voice comes from both inside and outside. The breath gives expression, depth and strength to voice. Use the breath to help discover your voice and express it fully and honestly. The world needs to see you and you need to be seen. Step out. Step in. Utilize your voice.
Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday, 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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