Walking the path means taking steps - consistently, every day. Even a small step of sitting zazen each morning for just 20 minutes is a step towards freeing yourself. And every step brings benefits (whether you know it at the time, or only later on reflection).
- Seeing all of the complex thoughts and emotions that are really present (whether you noticed or acknowledged them or not)
- Knowing that the mat is a safe place to let all things bubble up to the surface, be acknowledged, and then be let go of (some people keep a box of tissues near their zafu)
- Discovering that, in the midst of whatever unpleasant sensations occur (of heart, or pain of body), there is someone or something that sits apart from them and just has simple, non-judgemental awareness.
For myself, I really cherish two things that sometimes
happen in zazen, which reflect the above.
- When I thought I was feeling X about a situation, but holding it in awareness I discover that underneath I was really feeling Y. If I then come to terms with Y, the whole of X and my difficulties with the situation disappear.
- When unpleasant Z arises, and I see that I am capable of holding it in awareness without fear or aversion, Z loses its power over me. I can finally let go of it. And life gets that much lighter and freer. "Enlightenment" isn't about brightness, it's about the unnecessary weight you're carrying around.
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