Transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi (awakening).

Emergence - photo by Jimmy Hoffman

          The traditional phrasing of this slogan begins with "When the world is filled with evil," followed by "transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi." Intolerance and hate seem to be surging upward again in the world; even on a community level, injustices abound. When we see or hear of inequity or mistreatment, most of us are instinctively filled with righteous indignation. We feel energized to stop or change the situation, yet our emotional reactions might be more hurtful than helpful. Our perceptions are influenced by personal assumptions, limited knowledge, and self-interest. Instead of seeing the situation and possible solutions with clarity and openness, we are restricted to the tight confines delegated by the ego. Meditation can help us be aware of the narrowness of our presumptions and opinions. We can look with curiosity at our feelings and see what lies beneath them. We can emerge from the constriction of our personal viewpoint and rest in the spaciousness of the luminous mind, drawing wisdom and compassion from it. 

Effective action starts with self-knowing, self-understanding of where we're caught. You don't want to start helping people out of your up-tightness, out of your strong sense of you're going to get revenge, because it escalates the aggression. And even though you might have short-term successes, basically someone has been so provoked by your aggression that the retaliation comes back. ~ Pema Chodron

For more information about the eleventh slogan, go here.

Slogan Eleven

Transform all mishaps into the path of Bodhi (awakening).

            Because we live in a physical world, it is natural and inevitable that bad things will happen. Our habitual, mental response to such misfortunes is shaped by past thoughts and actions. But Norman Fischer assures us, “The way you spontaneously react in times of trouble is not fixed.” It is not necessary to see ourselves as victims, to blame other people or to let our egos convince us our views are “truth.” Instead, we can realize adversity is universal and not personal. We remember the slogans, practice patience, and understand our feelings are quite normal. We can be present with our emotions, responding to them with fortitude, courage and openness – thus changing our habitual patterns.

Photo: Quartz cluster between green sycamore and brown sweetgum seed balls.

            Awhile back I decided to cut down some dead tree trunks, because I was afraid they might fall and damage our car or roof. They were right next to a chain-link fence which made things a little tricky – I wanted them to land in the driveway but not on the roof or fence. The first trunk landed perfectly, and I cut it in small pieces to haul off. The second trunk took an unexpected twist on the way down and flattened the fence. It was so heavy I couldn't even budge it. As I cut it up in order to get it off the fence, the chain came off the chainsaw. Try as I might, I couldn't get the chain back on. But then I thought, “I’ll just use the ax.” On the second swing with the ax, the wooden handle split down the middle and sent the ax head flying. At that moment, I felt as it the universe had purposefully decided to torment me. Of course everyone has days like these, some much worse than this one, but when they happen to us it feels like we are personally being singled out. The Buddha was once met by a woman whose infant had died. She begged and pleaded with him to bring the baby back to life. The Buddha told her to go into the village and find one family who had not been touched by death; if she could, he would restore her child. Obviously she found no one, and she realized the Buddha was trying to gently teach her that she wasn't being punished – everyone has such hardships. Things break and wear out as do people; spring and summer turn to fall and winter. It’s a natural and universal part of life, but it’s not personal.