Portion on Practice

Sitting here in front of computer #3 at the Ukiah Public Library, following an evening at the Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center, which featured performances from several homeless who have an assigned bed and locker, showcasing loud constant irrational behaviour and talking about illegal narcotics with an occasional odd reference to sex, what is most important is having a continuous spiritual practice for the purpose of uniting the mind with its Source. This ensures that the Divine Absolute works through the body-mind complex without interference. Because of the variety in the human population, it is necessary for there to be innumerable ways to achieve this. A Zen Buddhist saying (from the Sandokai) is: "Although by wit and dullness, the True Way is varied." Yoga teaches: "Paths are many, Truth is one." Christianity embraces ecumenicism, since the encyclicals of Pope John XXIII in the 1960s. The point is that there is a way for everybody. Cultivate a high degree of mindfulness, or thought watching, and when the mind wanders, just bring it back to basic meditative awareness. This is a fundamental vipassana practice which is powerful. If you like, add a mantra which is comfortable. Throughout the day, anywhere and everywhere, silently chant the mantra. The Hare Krishna mantra is recommended for the current Age of Kali, but more important is to have a mantra which is satisfactory with the practitioner, guaranteeing that one will chant regularly. One's chosen mantra may be chanted at any time. There are no rules, regulations, or restrictions of any kind. As zen master Shunryu Suzuki once said at the San Francisco Zen Center: "I want everyone here to know that some day you will have your own practice, and it won't be zen center's practice!" [Reported to me by friend Loring Palmer, an early student of the roshi.] In other words, it is your practice. Own it!! Craig Louis Stehr 1045 South State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 Telephone Messages: (707) 234-3270 Email: craiglouisstehr@gmail.com February 21, 2024 Anno Domini