Berkshires

Test of Faith
Proving its Validity

Sunday, June 28, 2009. As in several mornings of late, as I water the wild bush (name unknown) in my front yard so that the sun will send its photons and dot the branches with tiny, sparkling jewels—like the “seven precious jewels” gracing the Stupa rising into the sky in Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, moonstone, agate, pearl and carnelian—I’m imagining conversations with my neighbors , , ,

  fantasizing that someone will walk by and ask, “Why do you spray the top of the bush like that?” to which I reply, “My dad always watered his magnolia tree this way and like him, I’m doing this to express gratitude for all growing things—for life. And wait till you see the many colored jewels in the water drops.”

  This reminds me, as I water the bush, and the peach tree and roses, that I do share moments of celebration with many individuals, thankful for those who enrich life by just being there at times of need without any thought of reward. This is a bit frustrating because I want to give back, repay their generosity, even though I know they don’t expect it.

  It seems so simple – the celebration of life with others. Often I’m reminded of a couple of lines from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” – This moment that comes to me out of the past decillions / there’s no greater than it and now.

  Ultimately, one practices teachings of the Buddha only in the moment when in touch with others. The test of faith, proving its validity, is realized as we respond compassionately and spontaneously in the moment, letting go of personal egos, without manipulating or insisting on the acceptance of our points-of-view. . .

  listening, truly listening, being there for others with total acceptance and with “a gentle and forbearing heart,” aware only of the “great compassionate heart” within all living beings; that we are all caused to live by the great, imperishable life-force of the universe. . . Here and now following the Eightfold Path, the “middle way” of right view, speech, action, thought, and endeavor, unaware that we are “practic­ing” anything at all.