Vow, Means, Contrasts, Music, Fitness

Vow

Reminding is needed every day, especially days that are filled with events.

With daily repetition, remembering will become more natural and automatic.

Basically, it’s Mahayana Buddhist vows, expressed in more modern, simple language:

I am here to help all people and this world, in whatever way presents itself, moment-to-moment, and just by being awake.

Means

I can be that and do that by constantly coming back to this moment, and being aware, then letting go of my agendas, thoughts, concepts, and emotions…

Being fully present, I am available to be a true help, a beneficial presence.

Contrasts

Being aware of thoughts, letting them go, and coming back to awareness of this moment, and the next, and the next, I see the contrast between the thinking and pure awareness more and more clearly. And it’s quite a contrast!

Thoughts of desire. Thoughts planning how to get what I desire. Thoughts complaining about what I don’t like. Thoughts planning how to avoid what I don’t like…

Pure awareness notices the thoughts and feels the feelings. Knows what doesn’t serve me or others well. Pure awareness knows the thoughts and feelings aren’t “me”, so lets them go without guilt, regret, or trying to fix anything. Pure awareness lets go of feelings of frustration and thoughts of blame or that nothing can be done, and sees what can be done, and does it, calmly yet with energy.

Pure awareness lets go of what was just done: lets go of regret if it wasn’t successful and lets go of holding on to what was successful. Pure awareness is ready for the next moment!

Music

Playing music, pure awareness lets go of thoughts of “what should I play?”, nervousness when working with new, hot players or audiences that are actually listening, and distractions. Pure awareness comes back to this note, this chord, and “hears” what to play next. Lets go, again and again, and comes back to the next note, chord, etc.

Music flows! Even music that’s played again and again is fresh, every time! New ideas emerge!

Fitness

Working out, pure awareness sees thoughts of avoidance (“This is hard! Well, just 15 minutes to go!”) and other distractions, and comes back to this rep, this single row, this step. Doing that, there is awareness of form. There is full energy applied. There is knowing how the body is working and feeling. Workouts become much more effective and enjoyable.

And like anything – everything – else, a part of the practice, for the purpose of, to fulfill the vow of:

I am here to help all people and this world, in whatever way presents itself, moment-to-moment, and just by being awake!