Narratives

I have been in several new social situations recently. The word, narrative, came up in one of those situations. My mind instantly clicked on that word as very relative to my recent social experiences.

Prior to one of these situations, I found myself uncharacteristically thinking about what I would answer to certain questions I might be asked. I say 'uncharacteristically', because some years ago I decided to greet each potential situation as a blank slate by simply showing up and by not thinking about the situation before it even became a situation. However, this appointment potentially related very closely to my practice's foundations. I realized my speculation about the meeting was really an inventory of myself and my self perception.

Happily, I recognized that I had only one honest answer to any question which could be asked of me: The simple truth of my being in the moment of the question would be my answer. I experienced immediate relaxation of mind and body with this recognition.

Narratives, resumes, c.v.'s, portfolios are all condensations of our skills and accomplishments. Too often, these narratives are confused with identities. Unfortunately, they are most often based in the past. To anchor your identity to the past is stifling. While those things you have done may inspired confidence in your abilities, they are not a true measure of who you are or your human potential. In fact, many such narratives are tainted with minor fictional enhancements and distortions, while others do not begin to express the fullness and value of a life.

My practice entails being the truth of everything all I have been, I have done, all I have mastered and all I have failed to do in my life. Being that truth creates its own spontaneous narrative, when one is requested. This is known in many disciplines as being able to live in the moment, in the past and in the future simultaneously. In other words, experiencing having been, being and becoming as one. And, from this state, one may proceed on the journey to enlightenment.

In my opinion, enlightenment is not an accomplishment. It is also an unending work in progress. And the journey to enlightenment can be lit my a simple lantern: The lantern of my own truthfulness, mindfulness and compassion in every moment to the best of my ability.

Layers

You may find that your life experiences will add layers of understanding and feeling to your consciousness without your doing a thing. Aging and sickness are life's great teachers. Unfortunately, most human beings do not reap the wisdom of aging and sickness until they have very little time to apply their increased awareness, empathy and compassion.

The point of practice is to learn as much about the full arc of life and death while having the time and energy to apply this learning to life. When this happens, the level of learning goes deeper and deeper. Then, when additional layers of life experience come along, more and more can be learned from those new experiences.

Enlightenment and liberation start with learning. Book learning and experiential learning. When one looks to the history of Siddhartha, it is tempting to assume that meditation alone led to his enlightenment and liberation. However, Siddhartha had the best education of his time as a young royal prince. He traveled extensively. He communicated with the most revered thinkers of his place and time. He was a worldly man before his enlightenment and liberation.

The deepening layers of bodily and conscious experience will come inevitably. We all age, sicken and die. How we prepare to experience these deepening phenomena depends on the preparation we consciously put into our daily lives through practice.

Set aside a time every day to meditate. Set aside a time every day to exercise. Set aside a time every day to learn through reading and communication with those you meet who have much to teach you. This is all part of daily practice.