Curiosity; Spiritual Progress
Approaching life and certainly our Buddhist practice with curiosity can be hugely rewarding. Frequently I am asked if it is all right to practice in a certain way, or at a certain time of day, and so forth. I think it can be very beneficial to just try something and see how it works for you.
Of course we have a recommended practice structure but at certain times it may not be possible for you to follow this procedure. So figure out what will work for you in this particular moment. Try something and see if it is rewarding or enhancing your spiritual development. Remember your practice is for yourself. So do what will work, and what you can consistently maintain. If things change don’t be ruled by habit or formalities. This is your practice.
If you try something and it doesn’t work then be willing to try something else. One thing that appears over and over, in the Lotus Sutra, is the benefit of praising this greatest of all the Buddha’s teachings. It is hardly possible to praise something if you are carrying it as a burden. Asking yourself what will it take to reinvigorate your practice so that you can maintain your joy of practice?
“Anyone who rejoices at hearing the Dharma and utters even a single word in praise of it should be considered to have already made offerings to the past, present, and future Buddhas. Such a person is rarely seen, more rarely than the udumbara-flower.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter II)
Fundamentally our chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is praise at its most basic level. We are singing our admiration for, and devotion to the Lotus Sutra. That is why I frequently emphasis chanting until you are full and not to accomplish some arbitrary hourly goal. Listen to your heart. Ask yourself ‘am I done yet’?
Being willing to free yourself from formality and adopting a healing wholesome approach to your liberated practice is being curious. Asking questions such as why are you doing something can be very enlightening. Are you following some prescription for practice because someone said you should or because you are seeing how enriching it is to your daily life?
Of course asking the questions also requires being brutally honest with yourself, not answering conveniently. Of course it would be easier to do no practice at all, of course it would be easier to not chant at all, to sleep in or go to bed earlier, but this avoids the deep introspection of what is taking place in your life.
We should never fear a deep search within our lives of the value of the things we do, not just in Buddhism but in everything in our lives.
For myself, just chanting, is so rewarding, calming, exciting, uplifting, enriching and on and on. But those are my feelings look for them in your own life. Be curious!
