This morning, as I dodged the raindrops while rushing into the office building which houses the Center, I had a strong sense of appreciation for the refuge provided by that shelter. Most mornings, however, I don't think of it. I just walk in as part of my normal routine. But if it's very cold or very wet my gratitude for warmth and a roof are significant. I continued to experience that sense of appreciation as I settled down for the morning meditation sitting. And I found myself feeling an enormous gratitude for everyone who contributes financially to the Center thereby making it possible for us to pay the rent so that we have a meditation hall in a building that shelters us from the elements. My gratitude for the Three Jewels of refuge was intense as well. For just as I take refuge in the building from the rawness of a chilly, wet day, I take refuge in an interior sense as a way to relieve my own suffering - suffering caused by the mind poisons of anger, greed and delusion, suffering caused by my desire to have things be other than they are. And so I take refuge in my own fundamentally enlightened nature (even though I haven't fully realized that nature yet) - that is, who and what I really am on a deep level, not my ego or my self-image. I also take refuge in the richness of the wisdom teachings throughout all the ages and from all the great religious and philosophical traditions that offer a path to liberation. Finally I take refuge in the community of those on the path of awakening whether that community is experienced in the three or four people in the meditation hall on a given morning at 7:30 or is understood as all beings everywhere for all time.
Next time you take refuge in a welcome building from unpleasant weather, remember to take refuge on a more profound level as well. Accept that things are as they are. And let yourself appreciate that reality deeply.
It was this idea of refuge that you taught in the Foundations class which helped me so much to be able to meditate--especially in the difficult times. I adapted a recitation from Thich Nhat Hanh that I start each meditation with to always remind me of why I am sitting.
ReplyDelete"I take refuge in the Goddess and the Buddha, the ones who show me the way in this life. I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and compassion. I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony and awareness." I have always hoped that Thich Nhat Hanh wouldn't mind too much the changes I made.