Kuan Yin Speaks. Cheerful and willing to serve

“Good morning! This is Kuan Yin.

Today I return to the theme of books and movies, and the helpful teachings in some of them.

Some years ago, a documentary was made about a Zen master, Edward Espe Brown, and his career as a mindful cook. The documentary is called,

“How to cook your life”

and takes place at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel, California.

The being through whom these teachings express will take over for a moment.

…

“I have watched this documentary many times, and am always taken with one scene. Mr. Brown is speaking of tea pots, and how even when they are banged up, chipped, dented and well-used, they serve. He tears up and is emotionally so touched at speaking about the shelf of teapots there in the kitchen, and I tear up every time I watch it.

Through his tears he says,

“They are so cheerful and willing, to hold tea and water for people.”

I think he is seeing the true souls of the pots.

This is a tender and beautiful moment in the film, and also leads to the heart-rending realization of how much humans miss in this earth life.

I myself have had some precious moments in this life, of beholding the soul of a being or an object and seeing its beauty, love and sentient presence. It is indescribably powerful, and often fleeting. I once spent 15 minutes transfixed by a pansy that had its face to the rising sun. I will never forget it. These moments can take you unawares. Last spring I was at a big store that carried all kinds of hardware, and also plants. I grabbed a little sage plant on my way out, then changed my mind and put it back. Clear as day came a plaintive little voice, like a little kid…

“But, why?”

Like the soul of the plant was right next to me, speaking into my heart. Of course I bought the plant.”

…

The Master Teacher, Master Sha, teaches that everything and everyone has a soul, and we can speak to any soul.

Can you imagine for a moment the miraculous life that you would have if you perceived the true soul of everyone you met, and every object that graced your life? It can be done. It requires humility and attention. You might begin to see that you are in a great sea of beautiful light filled souls, that live to serve. The chair you sit on, the tools you use for your life, the food you eat, the beverages you drink, the animal friends that wait on your words and affection all have vibrant living souls.

You might think,

“Well this will take every moment of my day, to acknowledge and thank EVERYTHING in my life experience.”

Yes. And that would be good, as you would not be thinking future and past, you would not be taking people and things for granted. Not just saying thanks, but truly seeing. The inattention toward, and simple ignorance of the present moment would be seen as the true waste of time and Divine Presence that it is.

…

Practice.

One way, is to ask. Say,

“Dear the soul of (for example…) this beautiful green plant that is present in my window garden. I love you, and I appreciate you. Will you please reveal your true self, your soul to me?”

.

Just sit and wait, no thoughts, no expectations. Wait. Sooner or later you will begin to see, to hear, to perceive something different. A new dimensionality maybe, a light emanating, a vibration seen or unseen. And finally if you are blessed, you perceive a beingness, a real living soul that is shining something to you. What? Love? Cheerful willingness to serve? A yearning to be loved and acknowledged? That is up to your experience.

You can fill this out in any way you want, ask forgiveness, offer love, embrace the plant! Most of all give thanks for its precious presence and service. You can with practice, expand this out into all aspects of your life. Things begin to shine, to move in unexpected ways, you see that you move and breathe in a great living ocean of soul-ness.

This is a gift to yourself and all aspects of your life.

That is all. I love you.”

This teaching was expressed though Kristin Strachan, Kuan Yin Lineage holder, student of Master Zhi Gang Sha, teacher and spiritual practitioner in Colorado.

I am profoundly blessed and humble.

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