Hope as an Obstacle

Hope is important, because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. But that is the most that hope can do for us--to make some hardship lighter. When I think deeply about the nature of hope, I see something tragic. Since we cling to our hope in the future, we do not focus our energies and capabilities on the present moment. If you can refrain from hoping, you can bring yourself entirely into the present moment and discover the joy that is already here.

There is no way to peace,
peace is the way.
A. J. MUSTE

Our Life Is a Work of Art

If we just act in each moment with composure and mindfulness, each minute of our life is a work of art. Even when we are not painting or writing, we are still creating. If we just act with awareness and integrity, our art will flower, and we don't have to talk about it at all. When we know how to be peace, we find that art is a wonderful way to share our peacefulness. Artistic expression will take place in one way or another, but the being is essential. So we must go back to ourselves, and when we have joy and peace in ourselves, our creations of art will be quite natural and they will serve the world in a positive way.

Aimlessness

There is a word in Buddhism that means "wishlessness" or "aimlessness." The idea is that you do not put some thing in front of you and run after it, because everything is already here, in yourself. While we practice walking meditation, we do not try to arrive anywhere. We only make peaceful, happy steps. By taking good care of the present moment, we take good care of the future.

Driving Meditation

I have written a simple verse you can recite before starting your car:

Before starting the car,
I know where I am going.
The car and I are one.
If the car goes fast, I go fast.

Sometimes we don't really need to use the car, but because we want to get away from ourselves, we go for a drive. We are afraid of being alone with ourselves. We want to escape.

Driving is a daily task in this society. I am not suggesting you stop driving, just that you do so consciously. While we are driving, we think only about arriving. Therefore, every time we see a red light, we are not very happy. The next time you see a read light, please smile at it and go back to your breathing. Transform a feeling, of irritation into a pleasent feeling. Although it is the same red light, it becomes different. It becomes a friend, helping us remember that it is only in the present moment that we can live our lives.

Telephone Meditation

The telephone is very convenient, but we can be tyrannized by it. We may find its ring disturbing. The next time you hear the phone ring, stay where you are, breathe in and out consciously, smile to yourself, and recite this verse: "Listen, listen. This wonderful sound brings me back to my true self." When the bell rings for the second time, repeat the verse and your smile will be even more solid. When the phone rings for the third time, continue to practice breathing and smiling, as you walk to the phone slowly. Because you have been breathing consciously and smiling, you are dwelling, in mindfulness, and when you pick up the phone, how fortunate for the person calling you! Practicing telephone meditation can counteract stress and depression and bring mindfulness into our daily lives.

Walking Meditation

Walking meditation is to enjoy the walking not in order to arrive, but just to walk. The purpose is to be in the present moment and, aware of our breathing, and our walking, to enjoy each step. Therefore we have to shake off all worries and anxieties, not thinking of the future, not thinking of the past, just enjoying the present moment.

Eating Mindfully

Eating a meal in mindfulness is an important practice. When the food is on the table and everyone is seated, we practice breathing. Then we look at each person as we breathe in and out in order to be in touch with ourselves and everyone at the table. Sitting at the table with other people, we have an chance to offer an authentic smile of friendship and understanding. After breathing and smiling, we look down at the food in a way that allows the food to become real. This food reveals our connection with the earth. Contemplating our food for a few seconds before eating, and eating in mindfulness, can bring us much happiness.