As we practice together sincerely, we become increasingly aware that such terms as internal and external cannot be separated. Our environment and our consciousness are inseparable. The two are one.
— Maezumi Roshi
A friend told me that I had shown up in her dream. In the dream she was infuriated with someone, raging mad and ready to fight, and in the middle of it I had appeared and said, “This is your mind.” The thing is, I have been telling myself something like that as I go to bed at night. Perhaps word is getting around.
Lying in bed is when my mind is most likely to start spinning with worry or preoccupation. That’s when I say to myself, “calm mind.” And again, “calm mind.” Just those two words. No matter what has been racing around in my head up until then, at the moment I say “calm mind,” my mind really is calm, and that calm pervades throughout all space and time. I doubt that you believe it, but it is true. Our environment and our consciousness are one.
Even now as you read this to yourself, “calm mind,” it is so, and can’t be otherwise. Go ahead, read it again.
That’s the power we have—complete—and the responsibility—total. This is your mind. What kind of mind is it? You might consider taking a look. You hold the universe in your sway.
One Mind: A Zen Retreat in Ohio
June 39-July 2
Jesuit Spiritual Center of Milford
Registration open
Autumn Moon: A Zen Retreat in Washington DC
Oct. 5-8
Washington Retreat House
Registration open
Funny, as soon as I saw your post in my inbox, I was reminded that I wanted to ask you if you’d be holding the retreat in Madison again in August. Looks like maybe not? Thank you.
Comment by Julie Lambert — May 9, 2017 @ 7:05 am
There were no feasible dates available this year.
Comment by Karen Maezen Miller — May 9, 2017 @ 7:16 am
This is a gift. Thank you. ?
Comment by Marcea — May 9, 2017 @ 10:54 am
It’s as if you have a web cam and saw me tossing and turning last night. I’ll remember this moving forward. Calm mind. Yes, I hear it now.
Comment by Bonnie Nygren — May 10, 2017 @ 5:28 am
I recently read-and loved- your Momma Zen book. Last night you appeared in my dream and it was very confusing because you weren’t in the form of that I know you are. So, I typed in your name, and this was the very first thing I read. Calm mind. This is your mind. This is my mind, my mind is now calm. To make sense of that dream will come with ease if it’s supposed to made into anymore sense then a reminder after a triple night occurance of unpleasant dreams that I have the power within my mind.
Thank you for taking your time to speak your truth so that I am better able to know mine.
Comment by Cari — September 4, 2022 @ 8:51 am