This week, our focus is on the training of our minds. Everything we do, regardless of whether it's perceived as being "positive" or "negative" becomes part of our mind's training. The reason we practice silent meditation and Zen is to still the mind and body, so that we can train the mind to become calm, centred, neutral and aware.
This past week, we marked the beginning of the Muslim observance of their sacred month of Ramadan — the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Ramadan is observed by faithful Muslims as a time of fasting, charity and self-accountability, much like their “cousins” in Judaism. In fact, the month of Ramadan is divided into three ten-day segments, called ashra. The first observance is named Rahmah, which means “Mercy of God”, the second is Maghfirah (Forgiveness of God) and the third is Najah (Salvation).
During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from lying, stealing, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcasm and gossip. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship, in which Muslims seek a raised level of consciousness. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities — to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, as well as sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intending to make Muslims more generous and charitable.
Similarly, in a few weeks, the Jewish observance of Rosh Hashanah. In Talmudic times, Rosh Hashanah became a celebration of the anniversary of the world's creation and a day of self-examination, repentance and judgment. Originally called Yom Ha'Zikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom Ha'Din (Judgment Day), it would eventually come to be known universally as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year).
Regardless of our own spiritual paths, each of us is called to live a life that gives as freely as it receives. And we are challenged to consistently raise our awareness and train our minds.
This week, let us recall that we live in a universe that is governed by the universal laws of cause and effect, or karma. The human experience is integrally part of this spiritual system, and cannot be separated from It.
As we learn to observe things from a calm, neutral perspective, we train the mind, which at first does not readily understand its own Nature, and as a result, the very spiritual laws by which one can become free from suffering. This limited understanding produces the obstacle humanity often labels as "evil" -- a delusional name given to limitations and conditions which arise as a direct result of our "unknowing", and which are impermanent and this no-thing.
While our Jewish and Muslim sisters and brothers take time to be mindful during this month, let us all embrace the challenge to forgive... to turn our attention inward... to allow the Sacred Silence to wash over us, so that we can realise our Oneness with the Universal Mind or Love.
Namasté!
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Author of "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened & Anointed Ones" -- a book that looks at the parallel teachings of the Buddha and the Christ, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda is a Franciscan priest and Buddhist contemplative monk, who has shared these timeless teachings throughout the world, for more than 25 years.
Lama Gurudas shares the ways in which anyone can begin to recognise and understand the nature of suffering, unhappiness and restlessness in their lives, and employ a series of simple, uncomplicated meditation strategies, mindfulness exercises and personal decisions to improve the quality of their own lives, while doing their part to reduce the experience of suffering in the lives of others.
Focused on the interdependence of all beings, and the Common Ground of Compassion, his workshops bring the teachings of Buddha, Gandhi, Christ and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into focus, and empower others to experience dramatic transformation in their lives. Lama Gurudas is the Spiritual Director of the Contemplative Order of Compassion -- a grassroots community of contemporary, Western Buddhists, vowed to living a non-religious, non-theistic, post-modern expression of the ancient Dharma, and
committed to bringing better health, healing and freedom from hunger, intolerance, violence and suffering to all sentient beings.
He resides at the Lojong Ladrang in historic Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his life-partner and companion, Craig, and their imaginary dog, an imaginary scarlet macaw, and two imaginary pandas.
"My religion," he explains, inspired by the example of his spiritual father, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, "is compassion... my god is love... my path is service."
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Copyright © 2008 The Office of Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda/Lojong Monastery. (Lojong Media Publications) All rights reserved.
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