The facing of life and death

THE FACING OF LIFE AND DEATH

To find increased health and well being in death, we must see ways to be healthier and have well being even when considering death. To do this, think of dying and living in the moment you are currently in. Decide what you want to surrender and what you want to attain. Place yourself in the moment in a position where you can conceive the letting go of the negative and the embracing of the positives.

Practice doing this on some basic ones first. Choose something negative and positive and position yourself between them. As you let go of the negative, embrace the positive. As you move into the positive, let go of the negative. Convert the negative into positive.

This is the facing of life and death and your practice can evolve into more substantial examples. This is the point of Arjuna facing the battle in conversation with Krishna. This is the Medicine Buddha's practice. This is the Christian conversion. This is the focus point within the heart and eye where we center our awareness.

The point is not to die and face death. The point is to live when facing death and to die when facing life by letting go of the negative, embracing the positive and centering in the moment to continuously engage in further practice.

When you practice, choose practical examples. Get to truly know the practice and evolve your applications. Don't limit the practice, but do make it practical and real.

--- Great River Institute, October 14, 2009, Scott Walter, Sensei

The Nun of That

THE NUN OF THAT

This is a very sensitive position within the Order. It's sensitive because it requires a delicate touch.

Monastics and non-monastics around the world, both living and dead, are often quick to declare something right or wrong. Particularly when someone else is wrong. It just feels so good to vanquish our enemies - once again flexing our superior, smart and amazing awesomeness.

In issues of right and wrong, and in times of 'freedom of expression' and particularly of judgment, opinions fly through the air like angry swarms of mosquitoes. The Nun of That is a person whose role is to help stop that. She eradicates the itchy bites of judgment.

The Nun of That, however, is cast a tough hand: she has to help prevent judgment - without judging. She has to help neutralize the world of right and wrong - without accusing others of being right or wrong. Or of being smugly self-righteous in her own secret thoughts. Not easy.

She's a rare find, a high-wire acrobat of the eternal. Her nunly one-room cottage resides quietly between the forest and the field, sitting in the center of a still pond. It's a fine line and delicate balance - living in the vast, unknown world that lies between right and wrong.

So, the Nun of That is also about More of This.