John Daido Loori Roshi
Our fear has us on the run. Sometimes it’s some old story, something that happened to us that we won’t let go of. It becomes our life story – an excuse for being struck.
We become afraid of changing or people but we don’t admit we are afraid – not even to ourselves. Instead we are timid or angry or stubborn.
It might be a good time to turn around and face fear, but first we have to stop blaming everything and everyone else, we have to stop hiding in our heads. Instead we can really admit we are afraid and become a warrior and practitioner of the Way.
Then we can turn around and face our fear before it sinks its teeth completely into our scurrying butt.
Sensei, an excellent posting and a powerful reminder of what my practice aims for. Thank you indeed!
I would like to stop my butt from scurrying through life. It’s hard though. The yellow brick road blog entry that you did prior to this one and this “Turning Around” entry are telling me to be HERE and DO THIS now and be one with it, accept it, even go so far as to enjoy it!!!! My thoughts want something else entirely and the retraining of those neural pathways is rough.
Thank you for teaching us the way!
@Philip
Thank you Philip. If this is your aim you are certainly on target.
@Vicki,
HI Vicki. It was good to see you – please keep going.
@Rebecca
Zazen and our other practices slow the thoughts in time and give us a handle on our mechanical merry-go-round. Commitment is the key. You can certainly do it Rebecca. Thank you for your comment.
Doen,
I keep uncovering things I am fearful of. My fears keep hiding under the surface and until you focus my attention on it I don’t see it.
Thank you and hopefully with the light on it it will diminish.