Life is precious

This one takes time. I read today in Kongtrul's book to see others with "non-referential compassion." That is very helpful. I notice I need to see how I refer to something in the past when I approach someone. I remember some incident, or some feeling arises, or thoughts and it colors this moment. The freshness is tainted by the past. Or if I want something from the person then it is also tainted. This wanting comes from the future; something hasn't happened yet but I want something particular to happen and then the moment is no longer fresh. The work is to notice this fog from the past and the future and see through it; drop it, clear it up. Am I up to this work? The small self really isn't up to it; but if I am able to see what the small self stirs up and let that settle then I am able to open up, clear away the view. Am I able to see LIFE IS PRECIOUS? How do I know, life is precious? My self interest is very high, and strong and continues to keep me tangled. I keep my self tangled by believing the small self.

This morning I noticed the ceramic dog bowl; the deep color of blue and the shine of the light on the surface. I noticed this as I picked it up from the floor to wash it. Takling care of this bowl is life, picking the bowl up to wash it is practice.

Today, this afternoon my neighbor is having a memorial service for her mother. I continue to contemplate this death as a change of form. In some ways it is like making tea. The cold water becomes hot, the dry tea becomes wet, the cup becomes full, I drink the hot tea and the cup is empty....the hot water is no longer seen, the tea vanishes...inside of this form which is also changing. Continuously. Is the tea anymore precious than the plain water? Or the hot water more precious than the empty cup? In this fast, modern time it is very hard to see. Very hard to have clear vision.

I continue to clear my vision. Bowing to clear my vision, chanting to clear my vision, walking to clear my vision.