Samsara Blues and Ho Ho Ho
I want to write something uplifting for the season, but I made the mistake of listening to the news earlier. It was very depressing; children playing with the bones of human remains in the streets of a neighborhood in Syria. Apparently these bones surfaced from the site of a mass grave nearby. I found myself weeping, not only for this situation, but for all the examples of the loss of human life and loss of our humanity. Such atrocities have been committed throughout history but, this morning, it descended like a dark cloud over my mind.
I am writing this while sitting in a bright corner of my favorite cafe. Overhead, through speakers in the ceiling, Christmas music paints a festive tonal atmosphere. Patrons are chatting and laughing, sharing the best of our human experience. The contrast is shocking. How do we reconcile this strange juxtaposition? I am grateful to be able to chant a few mantras to help counterbalance the discord in my mind while sending prayers for relieving the suffering of others. But it isn’t quite enough.
It is times like these when I draw upon the presence of my teachers, the ones who have mirrored my mind free from the snares of sadness. I remember Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche telling me, “Michael, you must always remember you cannot fix samsara, but you can help alleviate suffering in it’s midsts.” When I recall his words and presence, my heart relaxes, and I sweep myself from the dust of distress and do the next thing life offers.
We all must do what we can to lift ourselves out of despair because it distracts us from following the deeper intention to be of benefit to others. This is why generating bodhicitta is fundamental to our practice. If our motivation to help ease suffering in the world is strong, then we will take the energy of despair and hold it to that light. Like a lightning flash, our angst will be illuminated and liberated. But this takes continuous practice. The moment we set aside our repetition of what is wrong in the world and chant another sound, a mantra of compassion, we can bring joy to everyone.
By the way, the word ‘ho’ translated from the Tibetan language means ‘joy’ (Santa must have some Tibetan blood). Ho Ho Ho and Joy to the World—embodied compassion can be reborn in each moment. May this new year see a rebirth of loving kindness in our hearts.