Whatever (or Whoever) You Meet Is the Path

During the past week, in two separate places, I have come across a Buddhist slogan and a quote that are related to each other and have much to teach us. The first is from an article by Norman Fischer in the March 2013 edition of the magazine Shambala Sun. The other is a quote by the inestimable Pema Chödrön. They are, respectively, "Whatever you meet is the path" and "If we open our hearts, anyone, even the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher. "

What makes them so related to each other is that they both state a simple truth that many of us fail to realize as we search for "awakening." Both of them tell us that what or who is right in front of us, in any given moment, is what we have to work with and learn from. Too often, we have a tendency to believe the illusion that the lessons we need to learn must come from a sage or a spiritual teacher, and will be suffused with light and a sense of calm or well-being. In reality, some of the most important lessons come amidst confusion and anxiety in our darkest moments. If we actually pay attention to what these teachers are saying, they are all telling us, in way or another, to be aware of whatever is happening in the moment, for there truly is nothing else.

The first of the above-mentioned quotes, "Whatever you meet is the path," is pretty straightforward. The key is in recognizing that while we are waiting to discover what our "path" might be, we are, in fact, walking it at that moment (and at all other moments). The beautiful phrase we read or hear from a teacher is no more important or valid than is a particularly frustrating or anger-producing experience in teaching us about ourselves and how our minds perceive the world. In point of truth, it is in being aware of our thoughts and feelings as they occur in response to difficult situations that provides us the best opportunity for insight. Through such insight, we become awakened, if you will, to the particular ego-driven illusions, preferences and beliefs that create our conditioned reactions. We are then able to reframe our perception of what we are experiencing and to see what is actually taking place. Every experience, good and bad, without exception,  is the very "stuff" of our practice. Caught in traffic…an opportunity to practice and recognize that we cannot control what is happening and that it will take the time it takes to arrive wherever we are going. Doing so results in an immediate lessening of stress as we accept "what is" rather than getting upset that things are not as we want them to be. Fighting with your spouse....an opportunity to practice and look at whether you are trying to resolve an issue to the satisfaction of both, or trying to win, regardless of the emotional cost. (Hint: the second is pure defense of ego.)  And on and on. While each of us naturally tries to seek pleasure and avoid pain, the reality is that our path is whichever of those happens to be occurring at the time. If not that, what could it possibly be?

Pema Chödrön tells us that everyone with whom we interact, perhaps especially those whose presence we find the most annoying, teaches us about ourselves and gives us the opportunity to practice. Do we allow the rude guy behind the counter at the store to draw us into his negativity, or do we step back and recognize that for some reason, this person is suffering, and his rudeness is a result of that? Awareness allows us to feel compassion for his plight and to silently wish him peace, rather than to allow our ego to rear its head in a knee-jerk response of, "He can't treat me like that. Who does he think he’s talking to?" That rude person has just taught us that we can choose compassion rather than anger and keep ourselves calm and tranquil in the bargain. Is any lesson spoken by a Zen master any more significant? By the same token, every positive and loving interaction we have with anyone gives us a glimpse into what our true nature is as human beings, and teaches us this is not only possible, but is what we should try to cultivate in everything we do. The lessons are all around us if we are able to open our hearts and minds.

How we approach every human interaction we have, even with the guy in the alley stealing our wallet, is a reflection of the philosophy or beliefs by which we purport to live. Knowing that allows us to examine how we have chosen to live our lives every time we encounter another of our fellow beings. Thanks to everyone with whom I ever had contact for teaching me and helping me to grow. What a glorious gift!