The True Nature of "I Am"

In a recent discussion, we were talking about one of the Eight Sufferings—the suffering of old age.

We suffer because each of us is attached to our idea of who “I” am. Perhaps we identify ourselves as “artist” or “surgeon” or “singer.” Then, one day, comes the realization that the skills that have become an intrinsic part of who we are have slipped beyond our ability to perform them. We are unable to paint the mermaid we see so clearly in our mind, unable to perform an operation that could save a young man’s life, unable to sing the classical music that people have been enthralled by for the last two hundred years. We are no longer an “artist,” or a “surgeon,” or a “singer.”

We can no longer practice the skill that enabled us to help or to inspire others, the skill that gave us our identity and which made us special,.Initially, we are hit by a wave of intense loss. If we remain attached to our idea of “I am …,” our sense of loss will never subside. And this will cause us great suffering.

But if we understand that everything truly is impermanent, that we are more than artist or surgeon or singer, our suffering will abate. After all, our life is a series of “I am…” I am a strong and nimble child. I am a student who can study all night and stay awake through class the next day. I am a daughter who can visit her parents and know that there are two people on this earth who love me unconditionally.

So we each can say “I am” of many things. All of which were impermanent. Just like our identity.

Our clinging to this identity is like trying to hold on to a cloud. Seeing the cloud from a distance it looks real, and able to be held on to. Being next to it and trying to hold it, we realize it is impossible. This is the nature of impermanence and impermanence comprises all the things of our mundane world.

Realizing the cloud is impermanent and that our clinging to it will only end in suffering will eventually lessen our suffering. As will understanding the true nature of “I am.”

Found: Piece of Cheese, Owner Unclear

Before using something that belongs to another,

we should ask for permission.

If we do not ask, it is stealing.

“Excuse me, sir. I don’t mean to be rude and I certainly don’t wish to bother you. But may I please ask what you are doing with that cheese?”

It was a reasonable question. And very politely asked. But then Cameo was a very polite cat. When her mother was pregnant, the doctor told her she needed to get plenty of rest if she wanted to have healthy kittens. Putting her kittens’ needs first, Cameo’s mother did exactly as she was told. Since she lived in a bookstore, she decided the logical thing to do would be to spend her time reading. And so she read many books.

One of her favorites was on etiquette. She felt that since her kittens would be living with humans, it would be helpful for them to know what humans considered as good behavior. So she diligently studied the book and taught her kittens all about human etiquette.

By listening attentively to her mother, Cameo grew up to be a very polite cat. She would run to greet people as they came into the bookshop, making eye contact as she welcomed them. If they didn’t answer her, she didn’t mind. After all, their thoughts could be elsewhere.

When invited, she would jump up onto the customer’s lap when they sat in the chairs scattered around the shop. She would listen attentively as the customer spoke to her and meowed back her carefully considered responses. When they left, she would slowly walk them to the door to let them know she was sad to see them go.

So it was only logical that when Cameo spoke to the mouse she did so respectfully. “Excuse me, sir. I don’t mean to be rude and I certainly don’t wish to bother you. But may I please ask what you are doing with that cheese?” she queried.

The mouse, who was called Elmer, was so shocked that he dropped the big chunk of Swiss and just stared at her. Never had he met a polite cat. Or one that talked for that matter. He finally blurted out “Huh?” (Unlike Cameo, Elmer did not have the benefit of a good education). Cameo calmly repeated her question and tried to make eye contact, but now Elmer wouldn't look directly at her.

“Uhh, I found it,” he muttered.

Cameo sat down and studied Elmer. “May I ask where you found it?”

This was more than Elmer had bargained for, and he was getting rather worried. His mother just told him to go get the cheese. But she hadn’t warned him about the bookshop cat who thought she was a lawyer.

“On Mr. Rasmussen’s desk,” he stammered.

Cameo said, “Then the cheese must belong to Mr. Rasmussen. Excuse me for asking, but did he say you could have it?”

“No,” Elmer nervously admitted.

“Oh dear. Then you’re stealing it,” concluded Cameo.

Indignantly, Elmer declared, “I’m not a thief! I found it lying on the table. No one was eating it. No one was even around!”

“But if the owner of the cheese did not give it to you, then you took it without permission. And I’m very sorry, but that’s stealing,” Cameo explained.

Elmer’s eye got bigger as he asked “Are you sure? I thought if I found something just lying around, then it didn’t belong to anyone. Finders keepers! So I took it.”

“No. Almost everything belongs to someone. Like that cheese. Before we take something, we need to find and ask the owner first.” Cameo was trying to be kind because clearly Elmer didn’t know that he was doing anything wrong.

“I didn’t think of that. You’re right.” And with that, Elmer began to wail, “Oh no, I am a thief!”

“No, not if you put it back and never take anything again,” Cameo assured him. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure out a way to get the cheese back on the table.”

And that is just what they did. Cameo then promised Elmer that she would never tell anyone what had happened. And Elmer never again took anything without first asking the owner.

Regrettably dear reader, as much as I would like to tell you how they put the cheese back, I cannot. When Elmer told me about this, he made me promise not to tell anyone because that might get a certain bird in trouble. 

Meatless Monday

Learn how reviving the presidential tradition of Meatless Monday can help reduce our carbon footprint, improve our health and bring us together as a nation!

More information is available at MeatlessMonday.

A Heart as Big as an Elephant

Do not be afraid of a task that is difficult

or become careless when a job is easy.

Deep in the jungle lived two friends: a large elephant and a small bird no bigger than the tip of the elephant’s trunk. You might think their friendship was unusual, but in the past such things were quite common. Animals and birds could talk to one another, and everyone got along happily together.

One day, while bird and elephant were enjoying a drink of water at their favorite stream, they heard distant calls of distress. Elephant asked bird to please fly up high to see what was happening. Bird flew above the trees and saw the reason for the alarm. On a distant ridge, there was a fire! Bird quickly flew down to elephant and reported what he saw. Elephant kneeled down, put her ear to the ground, and said, yes she could hear the sounds of many animals running.

Bird said excitedly, “We have to help our friends. Not all the birds can fly high and long enough to escape the fire.” Elephant agreed, saying “And not all the animals are fast enough to outrun the flames. But what can we do?”

Bird said, “I can carry water on my wings, and you can carry it in your trunk.” And with that bird dove under the water and then soared up into the air. He flew to the fire and sprinkled the few drops of water he carried onto the flames. He then flew back to where elephant was filling her trunk.

“Hurry!” cried bird.

But elephant reassured her friend. “Don’t worry. You cannot carry much water, but my trunk holds a lot.” Bird dove into the water again and flew off to the fire. After elephant filled her trunk and went a few steps, she carelessly tripped and spilled some water. Back to the stream she went to refill her trunk.

In the meantime, bird was flying back and forth as fast as he could. The fleeing animals and birds cried out, “”Save yourself. It’s hopeless. You can’t carry enough water!” Bird replied he had to try and that elephant was also bringing water in her trunk. The animals knew that bird was very persistent. But they also knew that as good-hearted as elephant was, she was careless so they weren’t sure how helpful she would.

Inspired by bird and elephant, the other birds and animals pitched in to help. Soon they were all working together to put out the fire. They made so much noise they woke the forest god. He saw bird fearlessly flying back and forth leading the others in trying to put out the fire. He also saw the elephant and the other animals helping.

Touched by their courage, the forest god threw his staff high into the air to pierce a cloud. Rain began to fall and soon the fire was out. With everyone safe, bird flew back to elephant.

Always honest, elephant confessed she had not paid enough attention to what she was doing. She put her trunk on the ground to cradle the exhausted bird and promised that in the future she would be more careful.

Moral

To carry out tasks,

we need to be not only courageous, but careful as well.

On Reciting the Name of the Buddha

Practice reciting the name of the Buddha to the extent that "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

We all have a Buddha immanent in our minds. When we practice recitation to the extent that our minds are pure and free of vexations, we will meet the buddha within ourselves. Therefore, only by the extinction of all vexations can we attain the stage where "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

We should practice compassion and forbearance in our daily lives while avoiding impulsiveness and petulance and controlling our temper. Be adroit and harmonious when dealing with people and handle everything with the help of reason.

Seek not the faults of others and do not be vexed by the rights or wrongs we perceive. Be gentle and kind to others, though not for the sake of building up connections. Treat everyone, be he/she moral or immoral, with equality and impartiality.

Do not turn others away with an icy face. With every move intended for the benefit of others and done with sympathetic compassion, not only will we foster good affinity with others but our minds will be purified and ourselves free of all vexations.

We are thereby attaining the stage where "flowers flourish and the Buddha comes into view."

~ The Analects of Master Kuang-ch'in