The Guide has said often and emphatically over the years that it is impossible to make a mistake. Thankfully, this teaching is seeping into my awareness as I see through many of the things that are commonly accepted as "mistakes."
Saying things that are unskillful.
Saying things that are snarky or downright mean.
Committing blunders and missteps.
Eating sweets and other junk food.
Getting mad when it's not really warranted.
Misplacing or losing things.
Dropping things.
Breaking things.
Cutting oneself while cooking or banging a finger while hammering.
Overeating.
Over-talking.
Over-thinking.
Over-evaluating.
Getting identified.
Going unconscious.
It seems incredible to accept that, in practice, we simply are noticing, not trying to stop doing things from this list. "Everything is the Buddha” points to the reality that no thing and no process is to be resisted. Seen, accepted, embraced, and let go - yes. Resisted - no. The moment we try to stop getting angry or stop overeating, we fall into the world of duality (which isn't a mistake either). I received a teaching on my very first retreat that has served me well: Be running as fast as you can when you fall flat on your face. “Everything is the Buddha” communicates the utter trust that the universe is friendly and nothing is a mistake.
Gassho,
Rebecca