stillness
Wind stirs the bamboo,
But once the wind passes,
The bamboo is silent.
Geese land in the chill pond,
But once the geese fly away,
Thee are no reflections.
In the same way,
Once the red dust passes,
The mind is still.
The affairs of the world are often euphemistically referred to as
red dust. This is the involvement of the world that is hard to brush
away and yet equally hard to hold on to. We may seek meditative
detachment, but as long as the stimulations of the world continue to
blow through our minds, the true stillness of meditation is impossible.
If we do not involve ourselves with the difficulties of the world,
there will naturally not be any suggestion or stimulation present. Then
the mind will be still. The still mind is capable of the most supreme
states of existence.
Obviously, total withdrawal from the tribulations, dangers, sensual
temptations, and entanglements of everyday life would be one way of
doing this. If you feel ready to do this and you have that option, then
you should do so. You will find satisfaction and happiness very
quickly. But if you are obligated to remain in the world for some time
more, and still want to practice the art of tranquility, you must
execute withdrawal on a more microcosmic scale. Then stillness is
possible for at least short periods.
stillness
365 Tao
daily meditations
Deng Ming-Dao (author)
ISBN 0-06-250223-9
XUE LIANG
FISH SWIM FLOWER LOTUS
this artist seldom gives
titles for their work
and I miss working on my calligraphy,
so I am creating titles to suit the day
(with apologies to XUE LIANG!)
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