Not doing is hard work.

Now that we are all stuck inside all the time, we can start to appreciate how much of our days are organized around relieving tension. In the old days, a couple weeks ago, when you started feeling uncomfortable or had some problems to work out, you could always avoid them by going somewhere. Keeping busy and doing things was a coping mechanism.

Are you feeling more sensitive right now? It might be because you cannot duck out of tricky situations as easily now.

Are you noticing more problems coming up? It might be because they were always unresolved but before it was easy to just go do something as soon as you noticed them on the horizon.

Are you easily triggered? It might be because you were really good at controlling your environment and interactions, and now you don't have that same level of control.

When you cannot go anywhere you are forced to work with things as they are. You'll probably lose it at some point, but you get to keep trying to figure this out. Take a look at your expectations, schedule beliefs, and to do's, do they have to look just like they used to?

Avoidance is a really accessible coping mechanism. When you have to stay put, you have to learn a new skill set. You have to learn how to be present, and that is hard work. 

Let go.

རང་བབས་
Tibetan: rang-bab
English: let go, let it flop, naturally settled, natural state

When engaging in Dzogchen meditation we find this common description of meditation: rang-bab, rang-nay, rang-sal; relax naturally, abide naturally, naturally clarify.

The common metaphor that is used to illustrate this method of meditation is to a dirty glass of water. If you place a glass of water and let it rest, let it remain there unwavering, then the dirty settles out and the clarity of the water naturally reveals itself.

The first step is to let go, rang-bab. Rang-bab, or resting naturally, can be compared to cutting the string on a bale of hay. The hay just settles as it is. There is no effort, no contrivance, no posturing or manipulation. Just settle. Let go. Relax.

A key point in this meditation technique of resting naturally is to notice the tension. What are you holding onto or fighting against? Are you struggling with thoughts, feelings, sensations, agitation? Recognize the tension and struggle. Recognize it as a sign to let go, relax. Use the tension and resistance to point you towards the ground of being.

There is nothing to do. Nothing to fix. Nothing to alter. Relax in the uncontrived natural state. Let go of fixation and grasping. Recognize and abide in authentic presence, open awareness, rigpa. When you can relax and abide in the natural state, then you will start to appreciate how everything is freed in its own place with nothing more to do, which we call naturally liberated or rangdrol. This is the doorway to true Dzogchen practice and the realization of the natural great perfection.

A mind divided.

Man is often divided unto himself. 

He seeks out leisure, but must act on his responsibilities.  He pursues his passion, but must be held accountable.  He follows his curiosity, but must produce results. 

There is tension between these two, leisure and responsibility.  Constant opposition and internal struggle.  Struggle to find your place in the world, the enduring battle between what you want to do versus what we have to do. 

The one requires space, silence, idleness, even solitude.

The other demands interaction, checklists, deadlines and diligence.

How do we dissolve the barrier between these two?  Can we cross the chasm over this great divide?  How do we reconcile this internal struggle? 

Lend your leisure to virtue.  Rely on virtue for your responsibilities. 

Virtuous is the pursuit of knowledge, patience and kindness.  The virtues of generosity and wisdom bear fruit in both leisure and responsibility.  Silence, mindfulness, and fortitude, these too are fertile ground for both leisure and responsibility. 

Virtue removes the struggle from our lives.  It allows us to find our balance, to find reconciliation.  Reconciliation is a gift we can give ourselves, and a gift we can carry into the world.