To Whom Does It Happen ?

A couple of days ago, the howl of winds outside my window startled me . A gusty wind storm was blowing. The dry leaves were dancing across the streets like sparrows do. The pine trees were swaying wildly and the window pane was quietly vibrating.

I wondered who was putting up this show and for whom! Perhaps it was only me who was looking out of the window. The trees were not bothered, the roads, the sky , the building could not care less. So why was this happening and to what effect?It occurred to me that it was only a happening - not happening to anyone.

That thought took me to another realm. Things do not happen to anyone- life, death. birth, suffering, happiness- they happen- only we take delivery unto ourselves and say it is happening to me! The wind was not blowing for anyone- it was just blowing. No one needs to be concerned since no one exists.

And , by some strange coincidence, the Zen book(Ta- Mo's teachings) I'm reading had these lines:

All that is

Can wake you

To all that is.

A sound, a word, a blow to your body, a movement.

Even a gentle breeze moving through the forest

Can point directly to the mind

This is the first skill that you employ to reach the other shore

This is the best skill that you employ to reach the other shore.

( From The Whole Heart Of Zen- by Rev. Venerable John Bright-Fey)

When loss is a gain

Last week, on Thursday, we were at a Indian Grocery store and after that I could not trace my leather gloves. It has been a severe winter and without it it was a painful task to get out in the morning to dust off the snow from my car. This was the second pair that I had lost in the last months and each costs $20- so you can imagine my upset at being stupid enough to repeat the mistake.

On Friday morning, I saw that the car windows were covered with frost but I went to work with the scrapper , wearing just the woolen gloves. Later I started the car, turned on the heater, locked the car with the engine running using a spare key and stepped back into the warmth of my home and for a cup of coffee. In ten minutes, I was on my way to work.

After parking the car in the basement I picked up my laptop bag, lunch bag, another plastic carry bag containing some winter wear and both car keys. Having pocketed the keys, I walked up to the digital employee ID scanner which opened the door to the building with a clicking sound. As I reached the door to my office, I realized that I was missing my spare key. I was distraught. I opened the door , placed my bags inside and decided to re-trace my steps to the car to see if I had dropped it en route. I prayed briefly to Ramana Maharshi’s portrait in my office and stepped out. I walked with my eyes scanning the floor- and moved out of the building’s automated door to the parking lot- no sign of the key. I opened the car door and checked everywhere. I even walked around the car and looked underneath to see if it had fallen there- no luck. At this point I realized that my key had gone missing and that I had left my ID card in my office – so I could not get into the building now! At that moment I noticed another car was parking and an Indian stepping out. I decided to following him and enter the building quietly when he opened the door with his ID. So I picked up my pace and kept very close behind him. He swiped his ID and entered while holding the door briefly for me. At the moment, in what I consider a miracle, my myopic eyes spotted the key on the dark floor. I picked it up in one smooth movement without letting the door close

Once inside the office I sat down at my desk and thanked Providence for this favor.

Later , on Saturday, my son informed me that he found my gloves behind the settee in the living room.

I new then that I had gained more than a pair of gloves or a wayward key. I regained a misplaced faith. These miracles have re-affirmed my faith in the One without the Second. I feel humbled by the experience - He took pity on me and showed me the way…

I want to conclude this with a quote from “The Little Zen Companion”:
The Way is not difficult; only there must be no wanting or not wanting.
Chao-Chou