By Sarah Breckenridge:
I’d like to share some thoughts about my work during our recent practice period with the precept on refraining from intoxicants. I like the way that this precept is described by Reb Anderson in his book Being Upright:
The precept of not intoxicating the mind or body of self or others is for all of us who have difficulty remaining upright in the midst of our suffering. It encourages us to trust being upright, instead of using intoxicants, as the best way to deal with our restlessness, anxiety, and pain. In the turbulence of our changing lives, with their waves of pain and pleasure, it is difficult to be quiet and still. But as Dogen says, “Here is the place; here the way unfolds.” Without any tampering or manipulations of what is happening, the way of freedom from suffering unfolds here.
The word upright reminds me of a metaphor shared by my former Zen teacher Darlene Cohen. She described our practice as somewhat like having a staff as we cross a stream with rapid current. We use it to plant in the stream bed, amidst the swirling waters, offering something to lean against, and to keep steady while going on, moving it step by step to create steadiness for crossing through the turbulence. I think using an intoxicant, whether it’s actually a mind altering substance or a habit that takes us away from being fully aware of what’s going on inside or outside of us, is like sitting on the bank and not entering the stream, or like entering the stream without the staff, likely to lose our footing. In my life, the bigger challenge for me is to break the habit of sitting on the bank, avoiding the things that are new or intimidating, unpleasant or scary. Working with this precept was a very helpful and hopeful practice. I did try to enter the stream and use the staff of my intention and awareness and to enter some new territory. It wasn’t as difficult as imagined.
I had a thought about the practice of intentional focus yesterday as I was doing my morning routine in the bathroom. I thought of something really simple, the color red, and then noticed the red things in my bathroom. There were only three visible, but when I really looked at them with extra attention, they were more vibrantly red, and I felt that sensation of omg, how can red be so wondrous and beautiful. Very strange, like looking at a painting.
So I thought I would work with the other precepts, and see what I can discover, going one at a time. It won’t be as simple as looking at red things, but I expect it will be a good way to start the new year. Here is where I’m beginning in January:
Life is not to kill.
Let the buddha seed grow
and succeed to the life of wisdom
of the buddha taking no life.
Life is not killed.
—Dogen, Essay on Teaching and Conferring the Precepts