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change, Easter, enlighten, enlightenment, inspiration, Lao Tzu, meditaion, Motivation, Positive change, quotes, rebirth, renewal, seung sahn, spring, tao, the book of the way, the compass of zen, words, yoga
As I head into the Easter Weekend I am reminded of what spring and perhaps the concept of Easter represents. I am gazing through the large window behind my computer screen which reveals water. Sea water, rain water. I also see new green leaves on trees and quite honestly beauty. While I can still see a few bare brown branches reaching to the sky I see the release of winter and the acceptance of spring. An Egret on the seawall which visits this time every day replaces the ducks which have migrated north.
Spring is rebirth, Easter is rebirth. Whether you believe in the religious aspects or the birth of chicks from eggs, this time of year is rebirth. As a human in this ever changing world I cannot be “reborn” at the present time. I can, however be “renewed”.
My body can be renewed with the exercise of my choice and with rest. My physical renewal is Yoga primarily. Tennis, biking, paddleboarding, Meditation. My mind is a little more challenging, especially with the ever changing, ever surprising, ever dramatic events of my family. So, I think to myself, what can I do to renew my mind. Of course I have my Yoga Practice. My Meditation. BUT, that is not enough. I could take a walk on the beach and try to absorb nature. BUT, that is not enough. I search for my inspiration, my personal muse. BUT, that is not enough. Finally, I realize that this renewal is quite simply peace. Acceptance of what is and the ability to transition from “winter” cobwebs of thoughts which cluttered my mind to “enlightenment”.
To affect my mind, I will apply a calm breathe; in through my nose, out from my nose – yogic breathe. I will feel in my heart how this breathe, my breathe, helps me to feel. I will soften my eyes, look softly at life, look mindfully at life. Notice everything; colors, movement, stillness. Have YOU ever been somewhere you’ve been “a million times” and suddenly see something that causes you to wonder “has that object been here all along and I’ve never noticed it”? “Could I be so caught-up in other things that my mind has not allowed me to simply “see”? This happened to me this morning. In my renewal I will use my words softly, positively and without judgement.
My “Spring Resolution”, (yes resolution-New Year’s is not the only time I vow to myself to change or modify,) is to allow myself to be enlightened.
“Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment; Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength” – Lao Tzu quotes (Chinese taoist Philosopher, founder of Taoism, wrote “Tao Te Ching” (also “The Book of the Way”). 600 BC-531 BC)
I wish you an enlightened and beautiful Spring Renewal.
for further reading, I recommend “The Compass of Zen” – Seung Sahn