The Three Questions

Pyramid Lake, Jasper, Alberta

"Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?" Did you ever wake up asking yourself this question?  Maybe not in those exact words but you know what I mean.  Ajahn Brahm, an upside down Therevaden  monk,  has cleverly anticipated our question and written a book to help us find the culprit.  How can you not love this title?   I'm a total sucker for a sense of humour especially if there's a handful of  wisdom thrown in to seal the deal  .  And he's a good listen here, with a generous truckload of Dharma talks.

In one of the stories from the book, an emperor after much study, found he only had to ask  3 questions to receive all the wise guidance he needed.

Here are the questions.  Don't cheat.  Answer first.  Read second.  Find out your batting average.  Remember Babe Ruth.

1 When is the most important time?
2 Who is the most important person?
3 What is the most important thing to do?

That's right, according to Ajahn Brahm, answer these questions correctly and you can never go wrong in any situation.

Let's compare notes.  You probably guessed that the answer we're looking for in number 1 is "now".  You're a good test taker.  Now if we could just remember this in each moment, especially the dung loaded ones!

Question 2.  I got this one wrong.  The interesting answer is, "the person you're with" which includes you!  Ajahn Brahm reminds us, "Communication and love, can only be shared when the one you are with, no matter who they are, is the most important person in the world for you, at that time.  They feel it.  They know it.  They respond."  He points out that when we are the only one around then we are the most important person we're with!  " Do you ever say, "Good morning, me.  have a nice day!" he asks.

And question # 3, did you get this one?  Nada.  I was really stumped.  One answer, for all situations?  What is the most important thing to do?  "to care" he says,which he describes as bringing together "careful and caring.  The answer illustrates that it is where we are coming from that is the most important thing."

Now we can go out into the world armed with 3 things and not be dangerous.  We have some new tools in the spiritual toolbox, especially helpful when the next truckload of dung is delivered.

The Dalai Lama In The Living Room

Recently I invited the Dalai Lama to come sit on the couch in my living room. He looks right at home there, don't you think? Blends right in and all, just what you'd think the Dalai Lama would do. Serene, at home, reflective.

You'd think I might have had a few intelligent questions for him. Maybe even a cup of tea. Well if you thought that you'd be wrong. But he's a patient guy and he just waited out my performance anxiety. OMG what will I ask him now that I have a chance?

When I finally settled I asked, "what is this anxiety all about? Why do I get anxious about the same old things over and over? Isn't that the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? You'd think I'd learn? What can I do about this? He looked at me quietly and deeply. I felt a great sense of peace emanating from him. He was apparently okay with my anxiety.

And I wondered, "why is it so hard to just accept things as they are? How do we do that? How can I work on acceptance?" So many times a day I see myself wishing in small and large ways that things were different, silently (or not so silently) rejecting things as they are. I wish it were sunny today, I wish my health was better. Sadness and concern for natural disasters and seemingly dangerous political unrest in the world, and so on and so on. It was obvious from his stillness that acceptance filled his heart, concern was in his eyes, yet the corners of his mouth were swept upward.

I asked him, "why is it so hard to be present for long swaths of time?" He smiled that serene smile that steals your heart and empties your mind and simply modeled loving presence for me. Wise teacher. I realized he has been practicing since he was a young boy and many previous life times. I was encouraged by that.

"What is the best way to make a contribution to this world?" Might as well ask the big questions, and the personal now that I've got him here, I thought. He looked thoughtful and centred, with that deep sense of wisdom and gentle strength he exudes. This is what he brings to the world, I thought. This is why he is loved wherever he goes. He didn't answer because he has faith in me that I can answer this question for myself, I thought. Is that not the supreme vote of confidence. I sat a little taller in my chair.

And the questions went on like this for sometime. We spent a lovely, contemplative afternoon together. I was uplifted by his warm, easy presence, eased and calmed by his natural sense of equanimity and inspired by his wisdom. It's not everyday you get to have the Dalai Lama sit in your living room. What would you ask him, if you had the chance?

Green Tara On Wisdom & Compassion

I have been inspired by Lynne Hoppe who has been creating these amazing faces on old book pages and sharing them on her blog. They are amazing. You really ought to pop over there and have a look. So although I find the format a little on the small side I just had to try one. Here's a little monk on a page of an old book called "Something Special".

We have been spending some time over at the Duck Creek Gallery where the Tibetan Lama Tenzin Tsundu is creating a Green Tara sand mandala. Each day he starts with a meditation, some chanting and a little Dharma talk. The room is filled with wonderful energy and smiling faces. Yesterday, Dorje the dog joined us and today 6 month old Sophia sat wide eyed for the chanting.

Today Lama asked "how will we use this precious life?" What will we devote our time and attention to? He reminded us that this is an important subject of contemplation. He showed us the lotus flowers that Tara was holding, one for compassion and one for wisdom. These are the two important ingredients that guide us in our lives. We need wisdom to see clearly, to help us cut through our delusion and attachments, to help us see the importance of compassion, to see how to be compassionate in our smallest action.

If we just sit on our mat, do a little meditation, say a few prayers, what is the value of that, Lama asked. Our practice needs to be out there in our lives. We develop wisdom through our meditation and then we take it out into the world in the form of compassion.

As an act of letting go, of manifesting impermanence, as well as dispersing blessings, Lama will take the sand from the mandala down to the ocean on Sunday. His work of exquisite detail and beauty, a weeks work will be swept into a pile of mixed sand and swept up in the ocean waves. Could you do this with something of great beauty that you had poured yourself into every day, all day long for a week?

If you live on Vancouver Island or nearby there are a couple of interesting opportunites to offer support for Tibetan Earthquake victims and in return receive teachings from a wide range of Tibetan teachers and feast on Tibetan treats. Momos and Dharma anyone?