FOR A COOLER LIFE
So back then, there was a respected monk who said that the teachings we’re learning from our master are kinda like condensed milk — super deep and rich. He said it needed to be “diluted” a bit so more people could actually take it in. Some meditating students passed that feedback along, and I once bravely brought it up to our master’s attention.
He looked at me and simply asked:
“So, you want to water down the practice?”
I couldn’t answer. Just quiet. Since then, the teaching and practice have stayed in its own framework. Some could keep it up. Some couldn’nt. Those who fully understood the theory, correctly and consistently practiced enjoyed the results. Better health, calm mind, and much more understanding the sutras. Their families grew more harmonious. They felt happy again and got moved to share those joys with others. Those who couldn’t keep up with the program and practice looked like the withering leaves falling down in the dry season. Some who got results were similar to a few fresh green leaves remaining on the tree branches.
That is my own concern. How come the Buddhist Dharma are so utmost and wondrous but most of humanity have been suffering so much? How come the path to reach the inner peace has been walked and clearly stated by the Buddha, the Partriarchs, our Master and the numerous awakened ones but people are still lost in sorrow and distress? Why? It’s true when said “ The Buddha is four meters tall. But Mara is twelve”, isn’t it?
Reflecting on it, since the old days, the path to the philosophy of sagacity has never been hectic but usually desolate. Up to now, in each human generation, the awakened who walked on it can be counted on our fingers. So yeah, it is no wonder of the vacancies in our mind retreats. Elswhere, the other Dharma events may gather up to a thousand or ten thousands of people. That’s why, once in a while, I had to wonder why ours were kinda...empty.
Yet, our students smiled and said “Teacher, not many people but our class is cozy. You know each of us by name. One who doesn’t understand your lecture can ask and you reexplained it. Learning in this way, we feel comfy and more related to everyone. Our spiritual gathering here sounds like a warm family.”
Such a lengthy recount! Just because the later writings seemingly added some cool spring water into that condensed milk. How do you think? Easier to enjoy?
If so, here’s a cup of cool spring water for you to stay refreshing with the summer heat of California.
Every day watching or listening to the news, we see and hear about gusts in hurricanes, storms, floods happening everywhere, America, Australia, Europe or Asia. What could we do? Just sympathetic sighs! We’re still breathing. So, try to better our mind. That’s the only within our reach.
Our mind doesn’t have a shape or a color, but it always shows itself in everything we do. We’ve usually heard “Turn back to yourself to see your mind.” But many folks don’t often see theirs.
Let’s see if you often smile or not, my friends. Is your smile joyful, innocent or forced and strained? Do you ever find it’s hard for a smile? Do you ever notice that yours is not natural even when someone about to take a shot for you and others, who are giving big smiles, but you just can’t.
When looking back at photos from the past retreats, I found some people were easy to smile while some never. Some smiled because of joy but other from sadness. Right there, in the smiles, is our mind. It recommends to know our mistakes clearly in order to transform our mind easily.
When we always look gloomy and hard for people to come around, our mind is closed off. Friends don’t feel free to be near us. How could we change that? How could we begin to open our mind?
We might have an inferiority complex or might look up so high with much expectation. Wanting to grow is not bad if it can motivate us to strive forward. But if it demoralizes us, then nah. When looking down to those with less, our heart is softened with compassion and want to help them. Beautiful! But if arrogance or contempt arises, then nah again.
Now, take a look at ourselves to see how we really are. We have a place to stay and protect us from rain and shine. We aren’t homeless on the streets. Great! Even our place is humble. We’ve got meals and clothes every day. That’s enough. Every morning, after waking up, we can stand up, walk, hold a spoon, feed ourselves and taste the food. We’re breathing. Isn’t it a blessing? What else could we ask from life, folks?
Instead of demanding more from life, do ask yourself “What have I contributed to life so far?”
With the mind of understanding and true sagacity, we then realize we’ve owed deep and unfathomable gratitude to this world. With reflecting, this comprehension, like something opens up, a door widely opens for us to step directly into happiness. The technique of Breathing becomes unnecessary. The order of “No Inner Talking” turns into waste. That comprehensive mind is our wisdom which will change our life. Joy rises in us, and we laugh naturally. Our mind will untie the knots that prevented our friendly smiles for life.
So yeah! Learn how to smile!
Folks often say “Spoken words cost nothing,
Choose them kindly to get pleasant and harmonious with others.”
Let’s make some editing:
“Smiling doesn’t cost a thing,
Kindly smile and talk to please each other.”
Some further interpretation.
It’s uneasy to sustain in life with smiles, my friends.
Thinking back the old days when I learned the following quotation from the writing “Smiling on Everything” by Nguyễn văn Vĩnh.
“We, the AnNam people, have a weird habit, smiles at everything. Being praised, smile. Reprimanded, smile. Something good, smile. Bad, smile too. Right, smile. Wrong, smile too. Grinning with the sound “hìhì”... and boom, tension and serious things gone!”
Here, we don’t discuss on laughing like the author’s comments on the “awkward smiles” coming from us after various questions from others. Of course, smiles can carry all kinds of unspoken meanings and emotions that, sometimes, make people, like the author, irritated.
But we can see it another way. When someone says some words not pleasing us, just a soft smile instead of clap backs. Argument nah. Good! How many of us could stay decent and tolerant like that! We also laugh when our mind is free from worries. But please, no smile for mocking, belittling or disdaining.
Another old line from old people: “Laughing is a tearless crying.” Too much sorrowful, let your tears fall down. Don’t fake it. Don’t hide it.
It’s said those who laugh easily also cry quickly. Correct. The guys are emotional with a soft heart. Hey, it’s just worldly mind, and kinda like “hollow and momentary emotion and sobbing”. Folks whose eyes are full of tears when watching chick flicks or reading tearjerking novels don’t know those productions are merely virtual.
With those, knowing how to smile takes art and sapience. Sounds hard and stressed! What to do now, guys?
Actually, it’s right that smiling reflects our true mind. What’s that true mind? – “The real and original face we’ve owned since the old, primary days up to now.” That mind is calm, frank, silent, gentle, innocent, crystalline and comprehensive. That mind is shown in the facial energy: radiant, friendly, and tranquil. It’s also seen in the eyes: joyful, determined, straightforward and compassionate. That mind owner, whether smiling or not, we perceive his or her serene and peaceful energy merging into the environment when coming close to and we like to be around them.
So today we get a new way to check in with our mind and in order to transform it in time.
Smile! Do know how to smile. Aha! You know how to live.
Bhikkhuni Thích Nữ Triệt Như
Sunyata Monastery, July 19, 2021
English version by Ngọc Huyền
Link to Vietnamese article: https://www.tanhkhong.org/a2582/triet-nhu-snhp019-cho-doi-them-tuoi
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