Remarkable.

I saw something remarkable the other day.

I was walking in downtown Seattle this past week and saw a homeless man up ahead begging for change.  He was holding a sign, “Out of work.  Anything helps.”  In the winter Seattle’s homeless population spikes as people migrate to the coasts for warmer weather.  We are used to seeing men and women standing at off ramps, at street corners and camping out in archways to stay out of the rain. 

The man walking ahead of me approached the homeless man and gave him some change from his pocket.  Then he shook his hand.

He didn’t have to shake his hand.  He could have gave him money and walked away untouched.  He could have avoided getting dirty or having to worry about what germs the homeless man carried.   He could have made the exchange a simple, clean transaction. 

But he didn’t.

He made it human.  He extended his money, which I am sure the homeless man appreciated.  Then he extended his respect, kindness and dignity, something that is invaluable to someone who doesn’t feel like they are worth anything. 

We have a tendency to think big.  We think in systems and projects and data and financials.  All of that is important if we want to fulfill our aims and the aims of others, we need to go through that process, but if you are wondering where to start, start here.  Start with extending kindness, respect and dignity to those in your family and your community.  Start with our real world problems, with where we are right now.

It might be dirty and you are going to have to work hard, but if you are able to impact a human life, you are doing something remarkable.     

Let's fix diffusion.

Diffusion is the natural and spontaneous movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Perfume diffuses in a room to leave a pleasant fragrance.

A teabag diffuses in water to make an enjoyable tea.

Oxygen in your lungs diffuses into your red blood cells to reinvigorate you and your work.

A popular local coffee shop diffuses into a global chain.

Diffusion is a natural process but we don’t often use it to our advantage.  We tend to be the area of low concentration.  So we consume.  We are entertained.  We listen and watch.  Mainly we wait and passively enjoy the fruits of a world that blooms around us.

What if that changed?

What if we became a source of wealth and bounty?  What if we were a wellspring of kindness and generosity?  What if our practice yielded dividends in the form of love? 

If we became a source of patience, kindness and generosity, what would happen in our homes and in our workplace?

If our practice gave rise to insight, drew out implications and made connections, do you think we would make an impact in those around us?

It might seem like a long shot, but the ball is in your court. 

Maybe this won’t even work, but even if you fail, what happiness and joy.

The Art of Practice.

What does your day revolve around?

Our days are busy with projects at work and responsibilities at home.  We run into all sorts of problems and roadblocks.  We want to do work that matters, but often we simply don’t have the time.

What intention do your bring to your day?

Is it to be more generous, to give gifts that matter and to make an impact in people’s lives and in your community. 

How do you actually do that?  It’s not easy.  You need to stick to your practice.

Some of us think of our practice as safe, a place we can prepare and get ready.  We think it is a place where mistakes don’t count and going live can always happen another day.  That is not what we are talking about here.

We need a practice that opens us up, one that enables our intention.  We need a practice that gives us the tools and resources to look into the darkness, face our fears and push through the resistance.

That is your practice.  The art of your practice is to share it.

Use your insight and understanding to benefit others, to be kind and compassionate to others.  Use your practice as a platform for doing work that matters, making connections and making an impact.  Use your practice to stand up, roll with resistance and carry problems onto the path.

Set your intention and let your day revolve around your practice.  I can’t wait to see the magic that you create. 

Stupas and the farmer.

In 2008 I was on pilgrimage in Nepal and India with my teacher Younge Khachab Rinpoche.  During that trip we visited many Buddhist holy sites and practiced meditation at many of the sites.  When you are in Nepal and India, one of the first things you notice is that spirituality and its symbols pervades the culture and people's daily lives.  In the early morning, people make offerings and prayers at shrines and do circumambulations around stupas such as Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.  Prayer wheels and miniature stupas are found throughout the city, elderly can often be found sitting together reciting mantras and meditation is regularly seen and engaged in by monks and lay persons alike.

One of the sites that we visited was Pharping, a small town just south of Kathmandu, Nepal.  Pharping is famous as being the location where Padmasambhava gained enlightenment before traveling to Tibet to spread the Buddha's teachings across the Tibetan plateau.  We spent the day meditating in the Tara temple at the base of the mountain and then in the Asura cave which is where Padmasambhava carried out his practice.

As we were walking down, there was a smaller sized stupa on the right towards the bottom of the hill, and off in the distance was a much larger stupa on the top of the hill.  It was a really beautiful.  The open countryside with a mountainous backdrop, stupas dotting the landscape signifying places of practice and the awakened mind.

I asked Rinpoche, "Rinpoche, do you think it is important to build more stupas in the U.S. so people can be inspired by places of practice like they are here?"  At that time, there was a farmer plowing his field just across the road.  Rinpoche responded, "I think we need more people like that farmer who are trying to make good, healthy food". 

I still often contemplate this.

Just breathe.

You hear this a lot.  Don't freak out.  Don't panic.  Don't blow this up any bigger than it is. 

Just breathe.

Part of what this advice is suggesting is: Don't get caught up in your emotions and the situation.  If staying with your breathe can help you hang in there longer, stay focused and precise, then yes!  Just breathe.

But don't confuse just breathe with
just back away slowly,
just go find a safe place to hide,
just protect yourself,
because that is bad advice and that is not what we are doing here.

Just breathe.
Just let go of what you are stuck on.
Let go of having to control the situation.
Let go of 'this or that',
Let go of value judgements.
It's hot in here.  It is going to get hotter.
You have to dance to the music that is playing.
Just breathe.