Following Your Bliss Firmly, Resolutely, Unwaveringly

I am fond of those stories about the would-be Zen practitioner who is forced to sit outside the gates of the monastery as an expression of his or her sincere intent. Because of the inherent difficulties along that path of devoted practice there seems to be a need to test the 'fire' of the would-be monk or nun. Are they serious? Is their motivation pure? Do they have the mettle to endure swallowing that 'red hot iron ball' that is zazen?

Numerous other examples are evident in other traditions, whereby the young apprentice is forced to endure severe tests and trials. It is a way of seeing if someone 'has what it takes.' I mean, shoot, if you can't sit outside the monastery gates for a day or two in the snow how the hell are you ever going to endure the rigours of a lifetime given to meditation!!??

In the business world--the world of our careers--something similar happens when the younmg hot-shot out of Yale or Harvard is given some huge responsibilities in order to see if they can hold up under the pressure. Certain managers, like Lamas, Roshis, and Rinpoches, want to see what the person is made of. It is important to see how reliable someone is. They say that is why the rigours of residency for would-be Doctors are so demanding; often brutally so. After all, if you are a Doctor you WILL have to perform under pressure, making life and death decisions, and perhaps doing it on little to no sleep at all. So it is important to 'weed out' those who are not going to be able to handle the pressure.

It is kind of like getting thrown into the 'deep-end of the pool' without ever having been taught to swim. Because instincts can't be taught, but are inherent, it is important to disocver what kinds of instincts a person has underneath... deep inside. Do you have 'ice in your veins?' Can you 'stand the heat' and not wither? Are you 'firm and resolute' in your resolve?

Being forced to sit outside the monastery in the cold and snow is one wayof finding out? ; o )

Those who would not make it in the long-run usually give up easily; while those who are destined to be included in the contemplative proceedings will stay in the snow as long as it takes. Just like the young prince, Siddhartha, who was firm and resolute in his resolve to sit beneath the Bodhi Tree, and not rise until he was 'enlightened'--until he became a Buddha, an awakened one--we, too, can realize our ultimate success in those endeavours where we are incapable of wavering.

When we follow our bliss down a trail of tears and through all manner of pain and hardship we know our intent is pure. It can't help but be! For why else would we endure what we must in the name of that which matters most to us--be it our children or our enlightenment, our lover or our aging parents, our environment or innumerable sentient beings. That is 'taking your seat' in the truest sense. Not moving mountains... but becoming one!