Since my first retreat at Throssel in October 2008, I’ve sat 30 minutes every day, without fail.
Since my second and 1 week long retreat at Throssel on April 20th 2009, I’ve sat 2 x 30 minutes every day without fail and 4 x 30 minutes at the weekends.
Up until then I’d sat off and on for 7 years – with long periods of not sitting and longer periods of sitting every day for 15 minutes. Sometimes alone, and sometimes at temples in and around Tokyo.
There are very many blogs talking about meditation. This one comes from a person who has picked up what he learned at Throssel, and uses it. His schedule of sitting is rigorous and that’s how it needs to be for some time. Although few actually follow through and do this consistently. One important point though is to remember to purposefully skip a sitting period from time to time. Nobody has to sit, skipping a sitting is a good…sitting period!
A simple meeting to talk about our mutual interest in all matters to do with horses ended up as a memorial tea for the newly dead Olivia. A horse suffering from progressive arthritis in the hind quarters who finally was not able to rise from the ground through her own efforts. My acquaintance had done all she could to help Olivia to live out her life and had been helped to her feet by human strength a number of times. Then on a sunny day not so long ago, once again unable to get up, the decision was taken to euthanase her.
Not being able to raise from the ground under ones own efforts is desperate. Being alone, on the ground, with nobody within ear shot to help can be devastating. Once up the fear of falling again haunts such a person, unfortunately making it more likely that more falls will happen. You may know of such a person. I do. Several. Thinking about these people brings a whole level of basic appreciation for being able to stand on ones own two feet doesn’t it?
I guess I’m sitting here in wonderment at our ability to balance on our hind legs, and move about without falling over all the time! Something’s working well for us bipeds. Time to celebrate.
The image of the jewel is used in Mahayana Buddhism to illustrate different aspects of our relationship to the Truth. Rev. Berwyn explores some of these facets, showing how, through the practice of meditation, we can come to clarify and fulfil our true wish. We can come to realise that the jewel is found right where we are now, in the circumstances of our lives, and that we do not need to look outside of ourselves for the Truth. By accepting the Truth as it is right now, we can come to know that this is enough and that the treasure house is constantly opening before us.
Find this talk on the Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey site – here.
He came in the ceremony hall this morning close to the end of morning service. Saw him out of the corner of my eye as his form flitted past the back of the altar. He purred his way loudly up the line of monks then threw himself on the carpet, right beside the celebrants large ceremonial mat. Extended long, from claw to claw, front to back paw. Contented cat, relaxed and happy to be in with his friends.
The ceremony ends with a procession lead by a monk with a small hand gong. Uh, slight kink in the procession to avoid Smudge thus disported. We hold our collective breath. Phew! Nope, Smudge was not in the mood for play, no swiping at robes as they swish by nor a more athletic leap for tassels dangling from a ceremonial item.
They come to teach and test our patience and our ability to remain still in the midst of circumstances, not to mention our inner strength not to laugh during inappropriate moments!
Does a newly dead person, or one dead for many years, regard their remains as them? We attach ourselves to our form and then carry that on, in our imaginations at least, into the grave. Are we our form? Dead, or alive? I think not.
Yes, this skull in Manchester has raised some questions and caused me to question my own sensibilities around how I regard human relics. How I regard what’s left behind after my physical death.
