Hi Friend,
Have you ever wondered what distracts you from finding inner peace? The following poem, written by Milarepa in the
12th century, holds a clue:
“REST naturally, like a small chld;
REST like an ocean without waves;
REST with clarity, like a candle flame;
REST without self-concern, like a corpse;
REST unmoving like a mountain”
It is a profound and succinct recipe for inner peace!
If we observe the
workings of our own mind we will notice how ‘contrived’ we are as adults: often
we are caught in playing out a habitual role, so our actions aren’t free and
spontaneous. We respond to others in ways that are expected of us, rather than
a spontaneous meeting of hearts. Milarepa invites us to drop all contrivances
and rest naturally, like a small child.
We will notice how we are often disturbed by emotions,
Milarepa advises to allow them to settle, so we become still as an ocean
without waves. We are often dull: working on auto-pilot, daydreaming, in a semi-hypnotic stupor playing computer or Facebook games, or watching TV! Milarepa invites us to rest with alertness and clarity, bright – like a
candle flame.
If we really look closely we will also see that for the most part
of our daily lives we are filled with self-concern from the minute we awaken:
what am I doing with my life? Am I reaching my goals? What shall I have for
dinner? What do people think of me? Does he/she like me? Am I doing it right? Milarepa’s
instruction is to drop all self-concern, and rest in the awareness of this
present moment. Just like a corpse is no longer capable of self-concern, he
suggests we be like that!
Throughout our day we are chronically restless, as we move
from one activity to the next, and the next, and so on. Milarepa reminds us to
take time to just be still and allow all restlessness to settle, unmoving, like
a mountain.
“Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every
paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought” – J. Krishnamurti
As you observe your mind this week, see if you can also
notice the same contrivance, emotional disturbance, dullness, self-concern and
restlessness that Milarepa did!
Spiritual masters over the centuries have recognized these same classic obstacles to inner peace, and consistently tell us that self-observation is the way to cut
through them to reach the joy and inner peace at our hearts, that is our true nature.
See you next time, and in the meantime...
happy exploring!
Best Wishes,
Ruth
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