Eating a donut on first night our of Shingyo Dojo at Tokyo Krispy Kreme
Have you ever noticed that when you really like something, when you really enjoy something it is easy to do that thing? I couldn’t locate any ice cream photos so I used a donut, I like them too.
Last night I was on my way home from visiting a member of the temple, I hadn’t eaten yet and it was late at night. I was hungry and it completely escaped me that I had in fact had a large lunch, I had just forgotten. Well, I was thinking about what to eat. I thought I could go home and fix some pasta, but it was late, I was tired, and I didn’t want something heavy before bed.
I was driving along thinking about all the food places I would pass along the way and which one might be suitable. Nothing seemed satisfactory. I had completely forgotten about Dairy Queen until I was about a block away and saw the sign.
Ice cream was perfect! Ice cream is always perfect for me, truth be told. Well, once I had that decided the rest was easy.
So, what’s my point?
I have in other essays written about concentration and intention. Today I want to bring up motivation, which isn’t too far off from intention and priority. If we really want something we find a way to get it done or at least to try. If we really want something we reorient our life so it becomes a priority. And all of that is easier if we really like what ever it is we are doing or trying to achieve.
So we have concentration, intention, and motivation.
When we are able to approach the Dharma with joy and delight we are able to go much further in our practice. When we have joy in our practice we are less likely to be distracted or become sidetracked. All of that enables us to have even greater joy. But when we cling too tightly to effort and form and correctness we in effect strangle out the delightfulness of Buddhism.
Practice the Dharma as if it were an ice cream cone. Enjoy it or it will melt in your hand.
Are you able to chant until you are full, or do you watch the clock? Is your practice time oriented or fullness oriented? Is it delightful?
Do you relegate your practice to only certain times, and then forget about it the rest of the time?
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