Nothing Inevitable Can Be Bad

I'm told that Awakening, like getting struck by lightning, is an accident, that its occurrence lies outside of our volitional control. That said, if one does nothing to encourage its arrival then the likelihood of waking up remains as remote as the likelihood of being struck by lightning.

Without being prescriptive, there are actions one can take which may tempt fate, if you will, and serve as the metaphorical equivalents of climbing trees during thunderstorms.

First, become interested in Life. Initially this may take the form of interest in "Your" life, though if you stay interested long enough, the "your" will fall away...

Forgive yourself.

Then forgive others.

Have Faith, but not in anything or anyone. Just have It.

Say Thank You. Constantly. For absolutely everything, remembering that the Universe is incapable of harming itself.

Practice suspending your belief in the way things seem or in the way you believe they are. Notice the way things seem to be and then dwell in the possibility that this is just that- the way things seem. You don't need to figure out how things REALLY are (which is not possible) but rather just acknowledge and become aware of the fact that how things seem is merely your own, limited perspective and not in anyway an accurate reflection of how things actually are.

Extend this practice to from the mundane, over-learned situations you find yourself in to the most emotionally charged of moments.

Lastly, become interested in death, only in this case, do keep it personal. Become interested in Your Death- the one fact of life upon which we can absolutely rely.

Whenever matters trivial or great seduce you into mistaking them for Truth, turn your attention and imagination to your very own death.

Yes, you and I will surely one day die, like the countless deaths, both real and pretend, we have witnessed in hospital rooms and on movie screens.

The difference, though, is that for this death, we will have a front row seat. In fact, we will be the only one in the theater. Sure, for many the room may well be crowded with loved ones but you can be sure of this- the experience of death will be ours alone.

These bodies are dying. Right now. All of them. Contemplation of this fact shines light on the trivialities on which we waste our time and mental energy while simultaneously clarifying those aspects of life which are worthy of our attention.

I have found that nothing creates space for wonder to arise like the sincere contemplation of my mortality.

This last practice is not for everyone of course. Many will dismiss it as morbid or negative. But let me say that contemplation of the mystery of death has been so interesting and oddly comforting to me that I encourage others to at least give it try before scoffing.

And while doing so, you may do well to remember two things.

One, nothing inevitable can ever truly be bad.

Two, there is no such thing as an ending, for the simple fact that there was never a beginning. Only the Eternal Now.

Gassho