Consciousness and perception range from shallow to deep. As for profound perceptions, they are pure through the ages. They are the basis to influence and cultivate mind from the first generation of the aspiration for enlightenment until the achievement of buddhahood without falling back.

- Records of the Lanka

 

The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to the seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years in our life. Kairos are the profound moments in our life. They happen when they happen.  In therapy I meet with my patient once, twice, even four times a week if it’s psychoanalysis. We talk about the experiences they have and how they compare with other experiences from the past. We contemplate the future and their fears and hopes about what is to come. In the midst of our reflections a profound moment occurs. They make a new link between an assumption they have carried all their life and an observation I share about our conversation. A new awareness emerges and the aspiration for enlightenment influences and cultivates a more balanced and mindful understanding of all the positive and negative parts of who they are becoming.

 

Withdraw now from

the invisible pounding and weaving

of your ingrained ideas.

If you want to be rid of this

invisible turmoil, you must just sit

through it and let go of everything.

Attain fulfillment and illuminate thoroughly.

Light and shadow altogether forgotten.

Drop off your own skin,

and the sense-dusts will be fully purified.

The eye then readily discerns the brightness.

- Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) courtesy of dailyzen.com

 

I have always struggled with the idea of “just sitting” . After spending five days in sesshin, where I sat facing a wall for most of the time I emerged with a deep appreciation for how difficult and challenging it is to just sit. The pandemic has shifted my practice from the office to the zoom room on my laptop. I sit at home and connect with others sitting in their homes. Together we work on the fears and frustrations of this imposed life of quarantine. We create a space for the pounding and weaving ideas that reflect this frightening and confusing new reality. Letting go is not about feeling happy instead of angry or afraid. Letting go is dropping off our conclusions and allowing new questions to emerge. The brightness that can be discerned will challenge our basic assumptions. Our co created space is an opportunity to discover new truths and to cultivate a confidence and wisdom in ourselves.

 

 

For those who have no mental vigilance,

Though they may hear the teachings,

Ponder them or meditate,

With minds like seeping water

From a leaking jug,

Their learning will not settle in their memories.

- Santideva Bodhicaryavatara   courtesy of dailyzen.com

 

 

Freud would refer to mental vigilance as evenly suspended attention. It is important as a psychotherapist to be open to everything my client is discussing so that I can fully understand their world and how they perceive themselves in it. We need to do the same for ourselves. By staying vigilant to all of our experiences we can connect to the richness of our daily lives. It is easy to become preoccupied with worry, excitement, and anger. The day becomes a source of confirmation for what is felt strongly inside. We anticipate disasters and bring suspicion into our experiences with others. It would be overly simplistic to suggest we stop doing this because it is a natural part of  who we are and is necessary to navigate the complex and challenging world we live in. Mental vigilance is to question our beliefs and assumptions. We can elevate our self-doubt to a practice of contemplation. Instead of second guessing we can wonder about the strong emotions that arise and consider the myriad possibilities that may be suggested by their presence. For learning to settle in our minds we need to be open to new experiences no matter how subtle or powerful they may seem. Our curiosity is also a natural part of who we are and can keep the seeping waters from spilling out of the jug.