Here in the Midwest, we call a drinking fountain, a Bubbler. Those wonderful thirst quenching contraptions we find at city parks, libraries and public buildings.
To meditate upon the Bubbler is a wonderful way to view the ever-present stream of Now. The Now is always moving like the stream of water through the air. You can drink from it, splash in it and it is always just streaming. No matter how hard you try you can't touch the same stream twice....just like the Now.
A meditation for us is to just see the bubbler streaming water...and get a feel for the movement. Perhaps just close your eyes and visualize the water flowing from the Bubbler for a few moments...then open your eyes and look around. Can you now see the stream of Now as it unfolds in your everyday life? Where and what are your Bubblers?
For me right now I have a 12 pound orange cat snuggled to my left, the kitchen clock above the sink is ticking, the cat (or liquid fur) just moved onto the floor and my fingers are typing, hearing the clicking of the keys on the keyboard...and so on. There is also so much more that we miss as well. How about the beating of your heart, the sound of wind through the trees...now shaking my window in the living room...just unfolding, just streaming on and on....now gone...now not gone...
Everyday life...even non-everyday life...flows and unfolds....always in the present just like a stream of water. Did you know you are always in the present moment even when your thoughts are lost in the past and future? You are doing this in the present Now...the stream of the Bubbler.
As Budoka, disciplining the mind and body to experience and get a sense of this stream from the Bubbler is critical for us...it is the development of awareness. This is one reason for kata, for hojo undo, for kumite, for zazen, etc. Learning how to see the stream in your artform will carry on into your daily life...this is the practice of practicing Budo all day long. If you think your practice of Budo is only relegated to the Dojo you miss the point of Budo altogether.
Just get a feel for the stream of the Bubbler you call your life. Take a deep breath and go with the flow...wow, all of a sudden I'm thirsty...
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
This is one of the best posts that I've read in a long time. I really felt that moment you were in. As I read this post it's snowing mesmerizing fat flakes, the heater just kicked on and the baseball game flickers on the t.v. in the background. :)
ReplyDeleteI especially like this part:
No matter how hard you try you can't touch the same stream twice....just like the Now.
And then this part:
Did you know you are always in the present moment even when your thoughts are lost in the past and future?
This is a great insight. We so often think that just because we don't see it that it isn't happening. Wow. I will be meditating upon that gem for some time. It's a meaty piece of insight to chew on. I appreciate it greatly. Bowing for the teaching...
Arigato...your comments are very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIn Gassho...
What changes when we are in the NOW? What is perceived, or HOW we are perceiveing? To truly see the stream for what it truly is we must be in the same moment in time as the stream! It is only when this happens that change can occur in our peception. Picture it like this, one is standing on a pole many feet off the ground. Not in the now means difficulty in standing or balancing in the NOW (on the pole) It would be very difficult to take in the scenery when one is busy (trying) to stand or balance on the pole. When one comes into the now (balances on the pole), becoming the pole, one is then free to see the now. This is what came to mind after reading your post. Thanks for the fuel!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment and insights...very useful.
ReplyDelete