January 23 – Allow yourself to be, to rest

Dear Friends,

In the track titled Poem, DaRa reads “She Let Go” by Safire Rose.

This poem expresses another way we can bring equanimity to our experience.

The theme of the New Year’s retreat I did with Susie Harrington at the beginning of the month was about the stories we tell ourselves – the views we cling to, especially the stories of I, me, and mine. For me, this is related to Jill’s teaching about the wisdom aspect of equanimity, and seeing into the not personal aspect of our experience.

Susie read this poem in that retreat too, and she reminded us that we have all had those moments where we let go of clinging. The moments we forgive somebody. The moments we give up needing to be right. The freedom we experience there, can open us up to responding from a place of compassion and wisdom.

In meditation, one of the stories I catch myself clinging to is that I need to work really hard at staying with the breath.

Yesterday, I once again came across this gentle wisdom from Thich Nhat Hanh that helps me remember this spirit of letting go:

If you struggle during your sitting meditation or walking meditation, you are not doing it right. The Buddha said, “My practice is the practice of non-practice.” That means a lot. Give up all struggle. Allow yourself to be, to rest.

When I sit on my meditation cushion, I consider it to be something very pleasant. I don’t struggle at all on my cushion. I allow myself to be, to rest. I don’t make any effort and that is why I do not get any trouble while sitting. While sitting I do not struggle and that is why all my muscles are relaxed. If you struggle during your sitting meditation, you will very soon have pain in your shoulders and back. But if you allow yourself to be rested on your cushion you can sit for a very long time, and each minute is light, refreshing, nourishing, and healing.

We do not sit in order to struggle to get enlightenment. No. Sitting first of all is for the pleasure of sitting. Walking first of all is for the pleasure of walking. And eating is for the pleasure of eating. And the art is to be there 100 percent.

Thich Nhat Hanh. “Resting in the River.” Lion’s Roar, 9 July 2021, https://www.lionsroar.com/resting-in-the-river/

Today, you can inquire:
When was a time there was a moment of letting go? How did that feel in the body/heart/mind?
How can you allow yourself to be, to rest?
How can you sit or walk or eat for the pleasure of doing that activity, and to be there 100 percent?

Then make that your practice today.

With good wishes,
Andrea