Zen Tip:
Revenge, or “getting back” at someone, is an emotional defense mechanism designed to respond to perceived humiliation, anger, or injury. It’s a poor way of trying to transform shame and humiliation into pride. Revenge is used as a way to assert dominance, restoring honor. It’s childish. It’s destructive, selfish and impulsive. In my eyes, someone predisposed to revenge, punishment or cruelty is weak in the head - they have poor self-control, a small worldview and a lack of self-esteem, as well as an extreme fear of being seen as submissive. Most people commit to it for one of the following reasons: to teach someone a lesson, to show everyone they’re not to be “messed with”, demonstrate power, or to attempt and become the predator as opposed to the prey. Revenge is futile. Fortunately this can be avoided easily with basic mindfulness. Stop thinking in terms of “enemy”. Once you’ve rejected the concept of someone being your enemy, you can engage in some constructive dialogue to understand each other. Of course, intelligent dialogue is not always an option with everyone. Even so, we can act with the spirit of wu wei, or natural action. This means knowing well enough that not being bothered and remaining still and collected is a much greater show of power than squabbling and slinging shit. Yell at a mountain all you like, it won’t yell back at you. And that’s why one doesn’t think about trying to humiliate a mountain. It can’t be done. Be immovable like an iron cliff, let your mind flow with the flexibility of water and the quickness of lightning. The concept of revenge will completely vanish.
Zen Tip:
Your mind may, at first, be like a thousand-meter cliff jutting out into the sea. It may be dangerous, violent, paradoxical, or uncomfortable. Your self-centered human nature may bother you, or you may find yourself losing your focus. Don’t fret, don’t tire yourself out or lose composure. Always bring your attention forward, and let your mindfulness be the ocean which will, eventually, break that cliff down into a smooth and sandy beach where the waves quietly meld into the sand without an issue. It may take years, decades, lifetimes even. Be patient, but always be here. Always remember your ocean of mindfulness. All beings will eventually realize their Buddha nature.
Zen Tip:
Realization and acceptance are not enough. One must mature in his practice to fully become what he is. We must deepen out realization. “I have achieved enlightenment!” That is not the way to go about it. One could argue that the follow-through after a moment of enlightenment is the most vital time. Satori is only the seed. Plant it deep in the earth of your mind. Nourish it with constant mindfulness. Now grow your garden, and feed the world. It is an endless process, until…
