Becoming Clearer
The apple juice became clear after resting awhile. In the same way, if we rest in meditation awhile, we too become clear. This clarity refreshes us and gives us strength and serenity.
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1988)
In this photo, looking down into a rock pool, you can just see the reflection of a cloud against the darker plant.* If I had used an alternative photo, with no such cloud, you would not have been able to detect the
water.
Another use of the water metaphor.
Clarity, in the pool, is reduced by what is in or
on the water.
Noting the ubiquity of the metaphor of light.
Clarity, in our attention, is reduced by what our minds bring to the incoming sensations. We attempt to become clearer by setting aside the memories and
plans
A page which notes how memory and plans interfere with attention.
that our minds constantly offer just as we are receiving what is
new.
On the coming of the new.
But everything cannot be set aside, for every perception is our perception, and as such incorporates part
of us.
Western philosophy and Buddhism meet over the problem of the self.
The fact that there will always be, at the very least a small cloud, does not detract from what really matters when ‘resting in meditation’ - the movement towards becoming clearer.
The Sun My Heart was originally published by Parallax Press. The quote is from page 5 of the Rider/ Random House, London, edition of 1992. The lucidity of Nhất Hạnh’s prose, in his early books, is so ‘refreshing’ in itself!
This rock pool was photographed on the west coast of Mull in northern Scotland. *It is slightly lighter just to the right of centre, and lower-left of centre, you may also see the signs of ripples over the sand, upper-left.
Above, hovering on blue introduces a link: click to go, move away to stay.
Saturday 3rd August 2024
...guide to this site