Tag: play

Using Play As Our Practice

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh writes;

“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax, to be peaceful, we must wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth. This is not a retreat, it is a treat.”

I thought of his words this morning as I looked out from my bedroom window. Across the way, a young girl was chasing soap bubbles with a friend, a fearless pup blissfully nipping at the air. Their joy was palpable, as much a part of this day as the sun itself. And between each shriek and heart filling giggle, a pause – just long enough to effect their mutual gratitude.

Play encourages the heart’s liberation, alleviating the burden and impossibility of long-standing barriers. Through play, our consciousness is lifted, allowing us to explore new ways of thinking. We begin to see the simplicity within the complex, recognizing our place in their interpretation: everything, just as it is and nothing more.

In this way, life itself becomes our practice, and we…we finally become the enrichment we seek.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣

These Comforts of Soul.

I watched a small pack of puppies playing inside a fenced yard the other day. The morning was still somewhat overcast; the evening rain having left its mark in pockets of icy-cold discouragement.

Yet, nothing could dissuade their course; nor, quell the ‘symphony’ of their amusements.

Over and back they raced, through the patched fields of elderberry and clover. Stopping only to admire the workings of a clockwise turning mechanical rooster perched 15 feet from ground.

And when the heftiest of ample-bellied n’er do wells splashed there were no admonishments of his ‘social blunder’. Instead only the yip-yap yammerings of their encouragement. And, delivering their warning:

“Turn away, turn away!! Adventures not for feint of heart!!”

Oh, to know the courage effected through fattened pads – and the ease by which they greet their day.

And, who are we to judge their play? How arrogant, we humans, to consider luxury a better measure of peace.

Than that of a snoozing pup; their dreams, now a mirror yielding the greater comforts of soul.

Namaste ❤

The Memories in the Leaves.

There’s no greater testimony to the spirit of this Universe, than the sounds of little ones—enchanted with the delight of bursting through the newly fallen leaves.

And, my goodness, how wonderful—to have witnessed it from my very own window.

“Ready?!” he shouted. Looking off to the side, I could see the youngest child waiting patiently in his wagon. As the older boys – one push, one pulling – caused a ‘red flyer’ explosion of these castings.

“Again, again!!” the little squealed.

Oh, but my dearest darlings – isn’t there always a ‘waiting space’? Time in which our ‘leaf piles’ must be constructed, once more.

Perhaps, to share that the greatest joy is in the anticipation?

“To be a tree and read the memory of the leaves…”

Indeed, for within each glorious pile, we see—our most cherished childhood memories imprinted upon each leaf.

Taking Time to Play.

Author Alan Watts once made a compelling distinction with respect to the creation of this great Universe:

“It is interesting that Hindus,” he offered, “when they speak of the creation of the universe do not call it the work of God, they call it the play of God; the Vishnu lila, lila meaning play. And they look upon the whole manifestation of all the universes as a play, as a sport, as a kind of dance—lila perhaps being somewhat related to our word lilt.”

I was quite moved by this passage—as, I’ve often noticed our tendency to take on so much of the seriousness of this world; adding even more weight to that which doesn’t need to be made any bigger.

I remember when I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s—everything seemed so big, so heavy. I couldn’t see beyond my own threshold of fear. I lost sleep, I cried until my heart actually hurt – and, sadly, even spent an hour or two tucked away hiding in the farthest back corner of my closet.

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” Oh, how Ani Pema’s words rang through my mind—like a soothing melody, offering me comfort in my greatest hour of need.  Little did I know, that this lesson would later be reinforced in a manner my heart was most ‘willing’ to hear.

One day, while visiting a dear friend—these ‘floodgates of emotion’ nearly burst open at the seams. My friend graciously listened as a I relayed each of my deepest fears. And, when the moment allowed for enough of a pause, he simply smiled at me in return.

“Life is hard enough as it is,” he winked “try not to add so much to it, ok?”

And, just like that—this weight suddenly lifted, as I realized how much I was adding to the story.

What is it that causes us to make things so much bigger, so much heavier? And, whatever happened to our capacity to lighten up and play?

My darlings, do you remember the ‘lightness’ of being a child? That indescribable sense of knowing that the sky was not our limit?

But, what if I told you that it was always right there—waiting for you to disentangle, to live the life you’ve always dreamed?

Life is big enough as it is, my darlings—let’s try not to add so much to it, ok?