I was two days home from three weeks in silence when the calls and emails came. The fall, the break, the orphaned kids, she was only sick twelve days, the surgery, the setback, the job loss, nothing on the horizon, the unexpected and unimaginable, he’s on morphine now, with no warning, no hope, and no answers, the mountainous pain made immediate and real, and my doubt disappears, the shroud of my self-concern, the scrim of my small personal failure, and I know what there is to do.
Do for others, do for others, do for others.
When? When they appear. How? Without self.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be well.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be free from suffering.
The world, you see, does not end in a fire or flood. Not with war or pestilence. The world ends with the self. May we mind our devotions, and enter the vast and empty eternity of love.
Photo by Pierre Carreau
Thank you Maezen, for being there – without judgement and without questions asked. For being a lifeline to so many of us who are suffering.
(Because I will never forget how I reached out to you in my darkest hour and how you pulled me out of the darkness.)
xoxoxo
Comment by Roos — July 28, 2015 @ 8:07 am
Thank you.
Comment by Gretchen Staebler — July 28, 2015 @ 8:20 am
Just so wonderful. Words of the Buddha. Zen life.? Rory.
Comment by Rory — July 28, 2015 @ 11:29 am
Thank you.
Comment by Jane — July 28, 2015 @ 12:23 pm
The world ends with the self and peace begins with me. Your offerings are so gratefully received. Deep thanks.
Comment by Julie — July 28, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
Thank you !
Comment by Ayala Zarfjian — July 29, 2015 @ 3:13 am
Maezen,
My mom and I have turned a corner in our roles of patient and caregiver. Something unexpected has happened in that I decided to stop being resentful and angry. Simultaneously (or because of my change?) she has become lighter, more quick to laugh, healthier. There is such pure love at times. I am grateful to have this with her. And your message helps me see how this can be extended to so much more than my mother and me.
I come here every day looking for your wisdom. Deepest thanks and wishing you all that you wish for others. XOXClare
Comment by Clare — July 29, 2015 @ 10:43 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Comment by Deirdre — July 29, 2015 @ 2:22 pm
I don’t visit you very often, but each time I do, I find some words to love. Thank you for being, Karen
Comment by Mary P. — July 31, 2015 @ 4:21 pm