We are living in a magical realm. This truly is the land of lotuses. Can we realize that we are always in the palm of the Buddha? Always supported by the universe? No one is left out. No one is insufficient.  We’re all living in a mysterious realm. 

Those who’ve had a taste of it.  Maybe a big taste. Those big experiences give us faith to let it in, to live in this huge mind. Those who’ve had big struggles, sometimes physical issues, just know that the universe is at all times guiding us to open up. Molding us to be liberated, guiding us to to share this light. Don’t lose faith in that, don’t close down, don’t forget, don’t turn away, let this great faith shine through. Let this mystery through. This love, but this universal love. You’re not as small as you think you are. There’s something much bigger going on.  It’s not even about you.

I’m not talking about a concept of a magical realm. I’m not speaking metaphorically. I mean we are walking around in the palm of the Buddha, supported by this great life energy, the mysterious wings of the Dharma.

When I had a big change in the monastery, I found myself in a magical realm.  The air around me literally seemed to lift me up. The patriarchs came out of the mist. They walked beside me. I was living in a monastery, like a baby learning to function again, doing the daily grind, eating rice gruel and pickles and working in the garden, but this mystery had permeated me.  In my own shy way, when I came back from the monastery, I kept this quiet for a long time. It had nowhere to land anyway. I had no one to share it with other than my beautiful little family, and it took a long time to integrate it.  I am still in the midst of that huge process. It has been so worth it. I am still learning how to share it.

Don’t be small. Don’t limit yourself. Let the mystery in. Have the courage to face the process and allow it to express. Chances are, if you’ve had a taste of it, you can’t get off of the bus anyway. Don’t become lukewarm or allow the world to drag you down. People need that light. Let this other aspect, these gifts guide us. We’re in a mysterious realm, a magical realm.  Don’t be small. Don’t limit yourself. Let the mystery in.  

I’m sure at times my classes seem very practical. Just know, with these practices, I am trying to usher people into this deeper aspect. To have them discover what is really going on. Some of them already have, and use the classes to fine tune and integrate their process. Others have yet to see it.  But no one is left out.  Thanks for reading.

At this moment what more need we seek?

As the eternal tranquility of Truth reveals itself to us,

this very place is the Land of Lotuses

and this very body is the body of the Buddha.

-from Hakuin Zen Song Of Zazen