Abby Mushin Terris, Guiding Teacher
I saw something that reminded me of the power of thought while driving down Circle Boulevard with my particulate mask on. There was a team of construction workers, unmasked, resurfacing the road. Fumes were rising from the asphalt heater, adding to the density of the air we were already breathing. As they poured the asphalt on the road surface, they raked it, then compacted it with a heavy steam roller. Four young people, also unmasked, were directing the traffic in the intersection. Vaping and laughing, they all looked like they were having a great time. A party. What were they thinking?
The thinking mind is so powerful. A thought can be like a mask itself, covering over the true atmosphere we breathe in. In practice we wake up to the delusions that our thoughts, beliefs, opinions cast over everything, obscuring the true reality of the breath.
We should all enjoy our work as much as those folks appeared to. But we also need to wake up to the reality of our lives. Our breath supports the life of the body, that in turn allows us to become aware of our shared life, and to appreciate each moment and use it well. Each breath unfolds The Way.
I would like to say to those people laying our roads, please notice your breath, take care of your breath. Even though it is freely offered, we do well to not take it for granted. The virus, the fires are all reminding us that caring for our breath is essential to caring for our world. Please, everyone, take good care of your breath.
❤️ Mushin