It is reported that someone once skeptically asked the Buddha, “What have you gained through meditation?”
The Buddha replied, “Nothing at all.”
“Then, Blessed One, what good is it?”
“Let me tell you what I lost through meditation: sickness, anger, depression, insecurity, the burden of old age and the fear of death. That is the good of meditation, which leads to nirvana.”
-- Quoted from the Dhammapada, translation by Eknath Easwaran
Conditioned mind is always focused on an outcome of some kind, usually pleasure or profit, while vociferously avoiding the pain of “loss,” especially the loss of identity.
Surrendering “me” is not in the interest of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate.
It resists its own annihilation and stubbornly pursues what “I” wants, including enlightenment!
As we often say in this practice, we are never asked to give up anything. We practice letting go what “I” wants not because we cannot have the content of what “I” wants. We practice letting go what “I” wants and in the process wear away the “I.”
Now our cup is empty, ready to receive ALL that Life is that we may overflow as the offering.
It is this paradox of “letting go to let Life” that we explore as the theme of the coming year—Anjali: Emptying your Teacup.
Join us for another joyful year of practice.
In gassho,
Cheri