As I used to practice writing like so many others by considering the virtues of morning pages, taught by Julia Cameron, I now consider the esoterics of this practice, whilst contemplating my next meal. The tea I have just prepared, first offered to the Guru, purified, transformed and increased for the benefit of all sentient beings, is delicious. Isn’t the practice of logistics and indeed farming and marketing amazing. The tea I now enjoy is brought to my desk by the kindness of so many beings.
I love the practice of the seven-fold cause and effect instruction on the way in which to generate the Bodhi mind. It is so helpful to generate a good heart, an excellent motivation for engaging in the deeds of Buddhas and bodhisattvas, solitary conquerors and so forth. I am drinking full cream goats milk, so kind is it to have such a food. The goat must have some kindness, otherwise the milk wouldn’t be fit to drink. Then there is the science of food, that cleanses the milk preparing it for consumption. These art forms and sciences are passed on generation after generation, for the benefit of the community.
Now dressed and wearing robes, I ponder the gathering of breakfast. Morning prayer completed, I wonder what a nice walk along the beachside will feel like to my body today, having not done much walking for several months. I will discuss the delightful pancakes with berries and mascarpone cheese later. My job is to remain vegetarian forever, to write, meditate, exercise and tend to the place, whilst teaching Buddhist dharma.
It’s lovely waking up early in the morning, having just enjoyed a beautiful nights sleep. How to live well. How to relax well. How to teach well the principles of the Lord Buddha. Ethics, concentration and wisdom, the six perfections, these are such awesome topics and subjects to consider and abide with. The writer sits, dressed in pretty cotton nightwear, sipping on a sparkling natural mineral water, planning her day.
Having just completed the recitation of the deity, there is just a pot of tea to consider. Spaciousness of mind here, there and indeed everywhere is essential. Devoid of true existence am I, are you? The preciousness of this human life is obvious don’t you think, so today is the turning of the wheel of dharma and the first union of Kalachakra.
His Holiness is so kind. Bodhgaya is so moving. Many people gather to listen, contemplate and to meditate. What is this love story I think about? There are many fine characters. His Holiness and his retinue lead the way, inspiring others with such brilliant examples of ethical conduct, love, compassion wisdom and joy. There is quite a bit of paper on my desk. If I were listening to my children, they might think, oh Mum, when are you going to file all that paper, or wouldn’t I have taught them to worry. Administration is a good skill to learn. I have an in-tray, and out-tray and they are looking settled enough for the time being. No point looking nervously at this paper. Bills have to be paid don’t they. You wouldn’t want to live on the streets. What a horrible place that is. Then again, a house is on the street isn’t it, or is it a mansion of the deity, to be revered, respected and taken care of.
What is my point? Each day is precious, every moment presents us with a wonderful canvas upon which to paint the most glorious of virtuous works and gift of freedom. Don’t waste it being negative, getting caught up with the confusion of ignorance, jealousy, lust, pride, hatred, attachment or wrong view. How do you make your life a work of fine art, something to be admired and treasured? It, as you might well tell me, concerns principally the subject of meditation, the familiarisation with virtue.
Time now to make that tea.
Or I could just be grateful for the mineral water.
Maybe it’s just a good opportunity to release, to meditate upon emptiness of a self of persons and of phenonmena. Don’t get caught up in the busyness of worldly attachment and concern. This is what all truly great masters dream of.
If you commit to living in the present, not worrying about the past, not delving into the non-inherently existent future, just live to enjoy and be at peace with the day and night that unfolds each twenty-four hours. Does it have time? We are discussing the Wheel of Time Kalachakra. The possum outside barks in pain, reminding me of how much better it is to be a human and not an animal, who appallingly appears to lack the eight endowments and ten freedoms necessary to complete the stages of the path to enlightenment.
Anyway, I was mentioning tea, so best go to make it, don’t you think?
