Friday, April 22, 2016

Nembutsu anywhere

One of the best parts of the Nembutsu is its mobility. You can do it anywhere. While out for a walk, while driving, while at work, while using the toilet. It doesn't matter. I recently have been doing zazen as a regular practice and while it has been beneficial, it requires a 'time and place' to do properly. That is something in short supply for me lately. Mainly because I can be quite lazy and not want to 'work', especially 'spiritual' work. But that's ok, it's just the way it is! The Nembutsu has me covered there.

An example would be the other day I had just finished my zazen and came downstairs and found my mind was in a dreadful state of disorder. Odd I thought. My zazen seems less effective lately. Or my monkey mind is fighting back. Feeling a bit 'annoyed' at this, I automatically started saying the Nembutsu. Instantly my mind went back to normal and all was well. I chanted the Nembutsu all night while I went about my business of watering the grass, smoking a pipe and drinking a scotch. Now this wasn't 'magic' or some esoteric stuff. It's just simply the relaxing feeling of knowing that nothing is expected of me and my mind doesn't matter. As Alan Watts stated on the Nembutsu....

"saying Nembutsu is simply a symbolical way of pointing out that you don't have to become this, because you are it...
The Middle Way, right down the center, is where you don't have to do a thing to justify yourself, and you don't have to justify not justifying yourself. So, there is something quite fascinating and tricky in this doctrine of the great bodhisattva Amitabha, who saves you just as you are, who delivers you from bondage just as you are. You only have to say "Namu Amida butsu."


Well said Mr. Watts....Namo Amida Butsu

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