Friday, August 12, 2011

"Choose A Nice Road"

Care- Full Buddha 12"x 24"
"When an artist or sculptor creates a picture or a statue of Buddha sitting upon a lotus flower, it is not just to express his reverence towards the Buddha.  The artist must above all want to show the Buddha's state of mind as he sits: The state of complete peace, complete bliss." - Thich Nhat Hanh from "A Guide to Walking Meditation" Yes, this is it, it is to show what is possible for all of us.  I needed to be reminded of why I am drawn to do these paintings.  It often doesn't make that much sense to me because my real love is abstract work. I am not really a figurative painter.  So secret revealed by Thich Nhat Hanh!

 I pulled out this little book for 2 reasons, one because I have been following the progress of the "Open Mind, Open Heart" Retreat at UBC in Vancouver and secondly because I head off on a 7 day  meditation retreat of my own tomorrow.  As walking meditation will follow most sitting periods it was really nice to read Thay's simple and enticing words on walking meditation.  He says things like, " If I had the Buddha's eyes and could see through everything, I could discern the marks of worry and sorrow you leave in your footprints after you pass, like the scientist who can detect tiny living beings in a drop of pond water with a microscope.  Walk so that your footprints bear only the marks of peaceful joy and complete freedom. "

And perhaps I can entice you to join me in a little walking meditation this week.  Perhaps these words of Thay's will call to you: " Choose a nice road for your practice, along the shore of a river, in a park, on the flat roof of a building, in the woods, or along a bamboo fence.  Such places are ideal, but they are not essential.  I know there are people who practice walking meditation in reformation camps, even in small prison cells."

Twice this week I have been reminded by spiritual teacher's talks that practice should not only lead us to joy and ease but joy and ease should be present when we sit in meditation, when we practice.  The reminder is a call to give up effort which drains energy and aim for ease.  This is such a good reminder for me as I head into retreat.  Sometimes I have the feeling I need to "work" hard to be present, that what comes up will be painful and difficult, demons of all manner, but here is the reminder to relax into it.  Thich Nhat Hanh reminded participants to embrace their pain, but also that they can change the channel on habitual thinking, that releasing tension in the body will ease physical pain.  So it is with these thoughts that I head off on my week's retreat.   Happy walking and writing and painting.  I look forward to seeing what you've been up to when I return!

18 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful retreat, Carole. May you have peaceful, joyous footprints. ;-)

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  2. Thanks! And your footprints as well!

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  3. You *know* how I *love* your Buddha paintings! I hope you never stop painting them! They *are* such a reflection of that innate state of natural Presence - which is why I'm drawn to them. :)

    And I love how you've combined/blended/merged your love of abstractness with the Buddha face. Such a unique style.

    Have a joy-filled retreat. May your footprints leave the trace of your wondrous Presence...

    Bows and Hugs - Christine

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  4. Thanks Christine, as always for your kind words and encouraging presence. Be well!

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  5. yes, yes, i love this about the 'why' of the buddha paintings... and this gives me food for thought.

    joy-full retreat to you, carole!

    xoxo (and a deep bow)

    lol, word verification is 'inglow'. that's what *i'm* talkin' about. ; )

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  6. Thanks for this post, Carole! I'll do some mindful walking while you are away. And I fourth the motion that you have a joyful retreat!

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  7. A walking meditation sounds like a marvelous way to retreat for 7 days. And I appreciate your advice on how to do my own walking meditation. I hope to try this soon:)

    Wise words by Hanh on habitual thinking.

    Now I understand more about the Buddha paintings. They are calming and now I know why.

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  8. Thanks, David. May your steps fill your heart with equanimity & joy!

    Gallery Juana- Yes, you can do walking meditation anywhere. I imagine you have some lovely places to do that. Ah yes, our habitual thinking, mine tires me out!

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  9. I can definitely see abstract qualities in your Buddha paintings; maybe it's possible paint the Buddha in a more abstract way? Just a thought. Thank you for the Thich Nhat Hanh quote, a reminder which comes to me at a time when I fear my footsteps leave marks of worry and sorrow. I think I'll try a walking meditation this week. I wish you a peaceful retreat, where you walk so that your footsteps leave marks of peaceful joy and complete freedom.

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  10. Sharmon - that's a great thought! I will put it into the retreat mix and let it percolate. thanks for the kind wishes. And may the worry and sorrow be erased from your steps as well!

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  11. Nice words to practice by. I think that I will try to put them into practice this week while you are away. Thanks for the reminders and the prompt. Sometimes we just need a kick in the rear.

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  12. a retreat. sounds wonderful and may you be in peace on your walkings.

    often as i walk down the road i place my hands in prayer position. somehow it slows me down. a mini-walking meditation.

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  13. Sounds wonderful Carole :) I am looking forward seeing you and your work again.... I will miss your inspiration !!! Have a wonderful time !

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  14. As so often, I find much food for thought here, Carole--today post no exception! "Walk so that your footprints bear only the marks of peaceful joy and complete freedom." I have yet to read Thaya's book of walking meditation--it is on my list. This line moves move, reminds me to relax in the present more, and "work" less in my mediation & mindfulness. Wishing you a joy-filled retreat! :o)

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  15. According to the date of your blog post, you should be returning soon from your retreat.. of peaceful quiet meditation.. sounds wonderful and I hope you return filled with peace.

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  16. Welcome h'OM'e ... it's so good to see you and your work again following my two month retreat from the blog-o-sphere...

    so excellent to see your Buddha's once again.

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  17. Your work is very calming and tranquil. You can tell a lot of reflection comes into your works. They're very cerebral and delicate. Beautiful and stunning works.

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