the bench is yours

the bench is yours

Thus have I heard:

Aren’t you a Buddhist? 

Well if you’re a Buddhist then:

Should you really be saying the things you do?
Should you really be doing the things you do?
Should you really be thinking the things you do?
Should you really be drinking the things you do?
Should you really be eating the things you do?
       (and so much of them..)
Should you really be watching the things you do?
Should you really be hanging out with *those* people?

Shouldn’t you be kinder?
Shouldn’t you be more patient?
Shouldn’t you be happier?
Shouldn’t you be thinner?
Shouldn’t you be more successful?
Shouldn’t you be smarter?
Shouldn’t you be able to sit in half-lotus? (at least)
Shouldn’t you be able to do prostrations?

It’s been one boring failure after another.
Tent pegs are being pulled and gear is being stowed.
Time for moving on down the line. 
In fact – this poser was never really here
     To begin with.

The bench is yours.

 

Comments

[SpecK]

It’s been one boring failure after another. Uh-huh. So what's new? Not much different than one boring success after another. You are on a sweet path. Poser? Really? Not any more than many. You are on a sweet path. Please continue to help me open my eyes...

[larry p]

If we were perfect, we wouldn't need to work at our practice. If we thought we didn't need to work at our practice, we'd not be perfect. Our practice is a journey on which we sometimes we sit on a bench, on which sometimes we say naughty words and get depressed (speaking for myself here), and on which we sometimes return to a new version of our practice, so to speak, and soldier on. Sometimes it's good to vacate one's bench so as to let someone else share it. New benches will materialize on our journey.

Brewster and I are excited at the thought of seeing you on Saturday.

[Roy]

Thank you both for your kind words of support and encouragement. I am too blessed to have visitors such as you.