Crazy Wisdom

No doubt, Chogyam Trungpa was one crazy Rinpoche. For me, he is best known as Pema Chodron's teacher, and the reason she is the Director of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. But serious Dharma students know him for his prolific, amazing writing and for creating Shambhala for Westerners who found Vajrayana too esoteric.

I was primarily posting the link below, from Shambhala to my blog (rather than sending it to FB) because other than a handful of folks, I don't think the FB crowd really "gets" my incessant interest in Buddhism. I would really LOVE to get a small group of like-minded folks to either share and read our blogs (and of course, we can still use FB to share links, too) and create a Virtual Sangha. I was going to tweet this link to Zatheos, when he emailed in with his own thoughts about life in "the Cave." I don't think he'll mind my sharing this one line with my limited followers:

Most days I'm really ok with it--having no one in my life who really understands this thing I'm so invested in. But some days you just don't want to feel alone in the things that matter most to you. . . I wonder if there were days in that cave that Milarepa wished that Marpa was there.

The irony is I started posting this hours ago, in response to an email exchange Z and I were having about deity worship. When I finally came back to finish this and post it, he sent the cave comment. So, Zatheos, this is mostly for you!! The next time you feel isolated, PLEASE post a comment here and include a link to your Amazing blog!! Vajra fan Ryan would love it, I'm sure!!

Here's that Trunpa link Crazy Wisdom / Choiceless Transmutation

I do have a Pema "fan group" on FB that I moderate, so perhaps a few of them (VERY eclectic folks) would ride this wave length-- Crazy Cave folk ;) OR, the title of another Trungpa book "the Mishap Lineage." Really!!

Calm Abiding

What I love the most about Pema (Pema Chodron) and her way of presenting age-old Buddhist teachings is how fresh and non-religious she makes the message. When she talks about addictions and desire it's more like listening to a young, modern counselor. You would not suspect you are hearing a 75-yr old nun teaching on Kleshas (our grasping nature.) If you haven't met Pema, take a moment and look at this brief discussion where Alice Walker (author of The Color Purple) expresses her gratitude and asks Pema if suffering serves any purpose.

I think everyone could benefit from Pema's messages. For some, like my friend Lesley, it has changed her life-- almost instantly. Lesley said HHDL (the Dalai Lama) didn't "speak to her." That floored me. But when I thought about it, I could see why. He's Tibetan and... a man. Pema is speaking directly to Americans and often to women. She is an American. She was married, has children and grandchildren, and knows exactly the kind of problems we face.

But for me the very best part of Pema, and any Buddhist teacher, including HHDL, is there is no proselytizing. If I sound "preachy about Pema" it's only because she's so wonderful and I want the world to know. I'm really not trying to recruit Buddhists. When you get down to it, it's really much more a philosophy than a religion. The Dharma (teachings) is more like a tool box -- techniques that can help quiet a troubled mind. As HHDL is fond of saying, "You can be a Buddha and a Christian, but usually it's the Christian churches who don't like the vice versa." He laughs a full belly laugh when he says that. Namaste! (which literally means I bow to you, or see myself in you.) OH, and for the exuberant, I posted a lengthy discussion as a link on the title.

Two Second Practice

I've been listening to a LOT of Pema Chodron audio lately. On one of the sessions she said, "We practice in two-second increments." This made me laugh out loud. But, it's so true. Anyone who has tried to change a habit or lose an addiction can surely relate to this. Cravings are not a day-by-day or even hour-by-hour thing in the beginning -- they can truly be every second, or feel that way. You can't stop thinking about the drug, the cigarette, the drink or just putting something in your mouth when you are trying to diet.

But, all habit change is this way. It's hard. So when I burst out, yet again, with an angry response (to traffic, to something -- ANYTHING -- that bothers me), I have to take a deep breath and gently remind myself, patience. This is the same as in the midst of meditation when the mind gets really busy and we simply notice our thoughts and say to ourselves, "thinking." We don't dwell on whether it's a good or bad thought. Just notice the thinking and put the attention back on the breath.

So, off the cushion, when anger or craving arises, just notice the craving. The truth is any thought or craving will pass in 90 seconds (not two), but you can move through it two seconds at a time by holding your seat -- just staying with the feelings. As Pema says:

Each time you sit still with the restlessness and heat of anger—neither acting it out nor repressing it—you are tamed and strengthened. Each time you act on the anger or suppress it, you are weakened; you become more and more like a walking target. Then, as the years go by, almost everything makes you mad.

(if interested, here is Pema's full explanation of Holding your Seat )

This is probably a good place to clarify that Pema and the mind training teachings do not ask us to "fix" ourselves. We come as we are. And, we do not dwell on failure, we celebrate victories -- no matter how small. Consider the success of your day rather than the failure of missing a session of formal sitting practice. It is important to recognize that mindfulness is in every step (to quote Thich Nat Hanh) and even while walking around, drinking coffee, talking to others, just remember, "I am practicing now."

This works with any effort to end an addiction or quit a habit. When the intense feelings arise and you think you can't stand it. We say, just endure for two more seconds. Take a deep breath. Then remember, in 90-seconds, this too will pass.

So when Pema says, we practice in two-second increments, she is exactly spot on.

the Four Limitless Ones

I attended a talk on the Four Limitless Ones last night. I've heard Pema (Chodron) repeat this buddhist prayer/chant many times but never realized it contains what she also calls the Four Limitless qualities we might all aspire to: loving-kindness (Maitri), compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

Happiness and the root of happiness is considered Maitri. Being free from suffering and the root of suffering is Compassion. Sympathetic joy helps us overcome jealousy at others' achievements and good fortune. Equanimity is the prayer that everyone might be free of passion, aggression and prejudice.

May all sentient beings enjoy happiness
and the root of happiness.

May we be free from suffering
and the root of suffering.

May we not be separated from
the great happiness devoid of suffering.

May we dwell in the great equanimity
free from passion, aggression, and prejudice.

Actually here is the most important concept about cultivating these qualities: "We start with the amount we have, no matter how limited it is, and we begin to nurture what we have, and then it will expand by itself until it's actually limitless." (Pema quote, from this page the Four and Maitri.)
I'll post more in a Facebook note, but wanted to include Buddha and the iPad here ;) (compliments of another buddhist blogger Buddha and the Big C.) This gal knows a little something about ALL the Limitless Ones, given her struggle with stage four breast cancer. Namaste!

Day 31: Core Story

What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? Spirituality. Wait... before any eye rolling or sighing, how would you define that term? Here's a definition I really like: The deepest values and meanings by which people live. So for one person that might be honesty, for another truth seeking, or for HH Dalai Lama simply Compassion.
Thanks to Pema Chodron, I've felt more liberated about embracing my views on spirituality and discussing it this past year. As she says, "It's our practice, not our perfect." That changed everything for me. For years I felt unworthy to discuss how important spirituality and my "Mission" was to me. I felt I was living a lie. Drinking, smoking, a "party girl" for most of my life. Who was I to call myself a Buddhist or a Bodhisattva (In Tibetan Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is anyone who is motivated by compassion and seeks enlightenment not only for him/herself but also for everyone.) Who am I to judge others? (that's my practice and work for 2011...)
But who am I to judge myself? Pema's talks on maitri (self acceptance) have been revolutionary for me. (If you have 5 minutes, have a listen.) How do I share this? Through blogging and writing, for now. It helps me formulate and understand the Dharma (teachings) when I try to explain them in accessible, straight forward ways. I will do more of that in 2011, through this blog and my Warrior's Album (just a tease, for now.) Hopefully in 2011 my nebulous thoughts will become more lucid and helpful to others. Happy New Year MMXI !!

Day 17: Lesson Learned

"What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?" is today's question from Reverb10.

PEACE is an inner process.

It's the primary message of my novel and that wasn't true until this year. No one can give you happiness or peace, you must find it yourself. The most stunning example to me was in a buddhist teaching where one of the yogis actually searched for difficult trials and tribulations so he could further his practice of patience and remaining peaceful. I still get aggravated over the most insignificant thing. Just this morning I walked outside to enjoy our rare snow-kissed landscape. It was quiet and I wanted to snap a few shots before it began melting. Here came a low rider down the street (at 7 am) blasting rap music. I did not remain peaceful.

Then when I came back in to download the snow pics, I saw this random quote when I opened up my computer: "Have faith in the way things are. Love the world as your self, then you can care for all things." -- Tao te Ching (loosely translated ;) Can I ever do that? Or even have Maitri (self acceptance) as Pema reminds us to work on. sigh... I'm a work in progress. I must accept that for now.

Day 10: Wisdom

#reverb10 asks, "What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?" My first thought is, "What category? Health, Finances or Relationships?" As far as my health, which really is the most important matter of all (because without it, we have nothing) is to keep moving. I walk, do yoga and T'ai Chi Chih again, some pilates, and stretches. Staying fit is my wise choice for health. Next year I will add more veggies and work harder to improve my "fuel." My wisest financial decision was... well, I made one. But I don't think it would be too wise to describe it on the internet ;)

Actually, as I settle into thinking of true Wisdom, my wisest choice was probably participating in the Pema Chodron conference in October. Absorbing her extreme wisdom, which affects ALL areas of life, has had a lasting effect on my other choices. She reminds us to breathe, not to take things so seriously, to listen to our bodies and treat ourselves and others with respect and stay mindful. That's pretty wise.