Samsara

For those not familiar with the term, Samsara means the repetitive cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth. It's also used when referring to our physical realm, and some say the Sanskrit word literally means "journeying." Others refer to Samsara as the opposite of Nirvana, sort of like heaven and hell, but that's not accurate. For those who are clearly seeing the nature of things, it's like two sides of the coin. But, there's only one coin, "not two" as the Zenists remind us.  

Okay, so what, you're thinking, get on with it. Many of you know I have not been posting to the blog because I've been focusing my  creative energy towards finishing my forthcoming eBook: Seeing Clearly. Now that's Samsara!  Writing and pondering the Big Questions has certainly been a journey through my own repetitive cycles of awakening, suffering, giving up, and renewal. That's the process of writing, but it's also the process of life. There is nothing else and that's the ultimate message about seeing clearly.  

The only certainty is change. 

A few minutes ago I was about to give up on writing this message. Nine a.m. and I could barely think with neighborhood dogs barking, kids screaming, chickens and Guinea hens squawking, a chain saw buzzing, and someone revving the engine on his low rider. I wanted to run out in the street and yell SHUT UP!  But, just as my own energy and patience waxes and wanes, so does the noise. It's quiet now and that does feel like Nirvana.  

I read a bit of one chapter of my new book to a friend. It included a quote or two from my favorite, fearless Buddhist nun Pema Chodron. She reminds us that we cannot get "ground under our feet." We are always going to have moments of intense fear and face challenges that we think we cannot handle. But those who have lived the longest (and sometimes younger folks who get a glimmer of "what's really real") SEE the cycles for what they are. Ups and downs. Our darkest hours are followed by illuminating insight and feelings of courage and optimism IF we can wait them out. We simply need reminders during the "rough patches" to bolster our spirit and enhance our creative energy for the process.  

For some it's encouragement from family, or friends, for others renewal comes from solitude and contemplation. It's spring (okay I'm a little late for the Equinox) and the fabulous energy of the May Moon (Wesak, is also a time of renewal), but the Tibetans tell us that today and tomorrow are both highly favorable energy days. So, let's pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the game of life aka Samsara. After all, if the Buddhists are right that's all there is ;)