Today I am going to take a break from the #Zennadoacts and simply write about the moment I am in, letting out an exhalation through the written word. I have been quite busy in my day-to-day life, and it has been difficult to find the time lately to write my weekly post. I remain committed to Zennado, but I want to let you all know that I am uncommonly busy right now.
Work has been demanding as I learn the ropes of my new role and expand my knowledge, which is a challenge that takes a lot out of me. Additionally, I have had to accelerate my master’s degree program from four semesters down to three, requiring an extra class each term and further reducing my free time. Lastly, I have been working on my house to prepare it for sale.
I know everyone has seasons where they must focus elsewhere, and that is alright. I am not complaining; I am simply offering an explanation for why I haven’t published as frequently as I would like. Zennado is something I want to do with my free time: talking to you about Zen, meditation, philosophy, and life. Once I have worked my way through the Zennado Acts to establish a comprehensive path, I will shift to a more comfortable, ad-hoc style that allows me to talk about whatever is on my mind in the moment.
Moving On
My partner and I have decided to sell our house and move so that she can pursue a role that makes her happy. I am supportive of this choice and want to help her reach that happiness, even if it means taking a financial hit or momentarily doing something I would rather not do. I know I will be happy in this moment and the next because I am with someone I love.
The houses or apartments we live in are not permanent. Nothing is. This is a great reminder that the brick and mortar surrounding us is crumbling down, atom by atom, every single day. The structure is always a little more deteriorated than it was the day prior. The shelter we inhabit is not a reflection of who we are; it is just wood, drywall, and nails. In the end, it is just building material we sleep in. The important aspects of a home are the people who share it with you and the moments you spend together with friends and family.
My dog does not care what house she is in as long as she is with me. That is the kind of attitude we should all aspire to maintain.
When the process of selling first started, I was a little upset. I want to share these instances with you because, as a person living in a Western culture, I still have moments where egotistical tendencies arise. I took time to meditate on these feelings and concluded that the physical dwelling does not matter; only the connections and experiences do. I am focusing on enjoying the house while I still live in it, and then I will enjoy my new rental. One positive I am looking forward to is the lack of yardwork, which will give me more time to write.
Maybe it’s Good, Maybe it’s Not
I was listening to an Alan Watts lecture the other day and I wanted to convey something that he said during his lecture. He was talking about life’s events and changes that come your way, that you never really know how things are going to play out. Even when something that is seemingly “good” happens to you, it’s difficult to know how it’ll effect you later down the line. Alan urges folks to live in the moment, and appreciate what they have at that time, and to try to enjoy life in its current form, because you never know what life is going to do in the future.
Alan Watts conveys it much better in his lecture which I would recommend you listen to: Farmer Story
The farmer lost his horse, it ran away and everyone from the surrounding village came over to speculate and say that’s bad luck. The farmer said “maybe”, and went on with his day.
The next day the horse returned and brought seven wild horses with it. The villagers returned and were excited and said that’s great luck, but the farmer replied the same “maybe” and went on with his day.
The following day the farmer’s son was riding one of the new horses when it bucked him off and the son fell to the ground and broke his leg. Once more the villagers returned and were upset about the situation and they said that’s too bad; but again, the farmer said “maybe”.
The subsequent day a group of officials from the government came by, looking for conscriptions or young men to draft into the army for an upcoming war, but when they saw that the boy had a broken leg they couldn’t take him, so the boy remained on the farm. Again, the villagers were there and said the farmer was lucky, and the farmer replied “maybe”.
Life goes up and down, one way and then another. You cannot have the ups without the downs. As Watts says, if you are always trying to stay up, you are trying to arrange your room so that nothing is ever on the ground, which is impossible.