STOP WAITING FOR THE APPLAUSE

Today I want you to take time to notice where your practice gets stuck. Throughout your day, as you’re engaged in activity, there will be an occasional pause — an attempt to collect yourself and wait for the applause to come. To wait for recognition. To wait for someone to see you and the correctness or goodness of the activity you’re engaged in.

But when we do this, people don’t actually recognize the activity. They recognize our need for recognition.

In that pause, we’re trying to make something substantial. We’re trying to reinforce our opinion of ourselves, which is a created construct rather than fully immersing ourselves in the activity of wisdom.

It’s just as important for us to recognize when we do this. That’s enough. That’s a kenshō– a seeing through to our true nature. We witness this need to step back, collect together this notion of self, and seek recognition.

It’s not something to be judged. But when you see it, throw your whole self into whatever you’re engaged in.

That’s the only way you’ll witness your true face, as well as obtain the recognition you’ve always been longing for. But that recognition doesn’t come from lip service. It comes when the circumstances you’re engaged in are transformed.

And that only comes when we stop taking that pause for recognition and instead burn our whole selves up in our practice.

Have a wonderful morning!

#zenpractice #dailyzen #sotozen #mindfulness #kensho #nonself #practiceinlife #oneriverzen