Good morning!
We sit calm and cool in the heat wave warning, with the heat index due to go up to 110 degrees. “In extinction of the heart-head, even fire is cool.” So saying, Kaisen Osho at Erinji sat in zazen and let himself be consumed by fire.
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the small Pinks won the game because of their resolution and resilience. They were worried about playing games while more than 15,000 people had died, with thousands still missing, after the triple tragedy of a record earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. But they wanted to give thanks and encouragement to the devastated people and their supporters around the world, encouraging them to be resolute and resilient.
We have a proverb: “Three years even on a rock.” The Buddha sat six years to attain awakening and unconditioned peace. Bodhidharma sat nine years in a cave. Someone said, “Even if we sit for our whole life, no one would take it for stupidity.” The Buddha said, “Better than conquering thousands upon thousands in the battlefield is conquering oneself. This is the true conqueror.”
We are not concerned about winning or losing. We just sit amidst global warming, nuclear disaster, and whatever. We are sure to be in limitless life, light, liberation, and love. We live on joy of unconditioned peace and unsurpassed awakening, tasting the ambrosia of immortality. So, let us remain resolute and resilient, settling in holy harmony, truth, goodness, and beauty.
7/18/11
