But here's the problem: the path is mine alone to follow. Even when the path has a name attached to it that others use (Buddhism, Zen, priest), only the woefully naive would think that a shared name means a shared practice.
I've had a monkey on my back for the last few months, and it is because I have been woefully naive.
Time to grow up, move on and get to work again. Alone:
In woodlands, haunt of stag and bird,
Among the trees where no dissension jars,
It's there I would keep pleasant company!
When might I be off to make my dwelling there?
Among the trees where no dissension jars,
It's there I would keep pleasant company!
When might I be off to make my dwelling there?
When shall I depart to make my home
In cave or empty shrine or under spreading tree,
With, in my breast, a free, unfettered heart,
Which never turns to cast a backward glance?
In cave or empty shrine or under spreading tree,
With, in my breast, a free, unfettered heart,
Which never turns to cast a backward glance?
When might I abide in such a place,
A place unclaimed, by nature ownerless,
That's wide and unconfined, a place where I might stay
A place unclaimed, by nature ownerless,
That's wide and unconfined, a place where I might stay
At liberty without attachment?
When might I be free of fear,
Without the need to hide from anyone,
With just a begging bowl and few belongings,
Dressed in garments coveted by none?
– Śāntideva
Like the saying of the sufis:
ReplyDeleteThere are infinite paths, as infinite as the number of God's creation.
There is unique path for each creation... so we are, truly, alone on our own journeys...