Be More Zen

“A little consideration of what takes place around us every day would show us that a higher law than that of our own will regulates events; that our painful labors are unnecessary, and fruitless; that only in our easy, simple, spontaneous action are we strong, and by contenting ourselves with obedience we become divine. Belief and love – a believing love will relieve us of a vast load of care.”

      Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered the father of Transcendentalism, a philosophical/religious school of thought that affirms the primacy of spirit over matter, the sacred nature of the physical world, a divine presence both within and beyond life as we know it. In the statement quoted above, Emerson invites us to reflect on the possibility that because there may be a “higher law” at work around us, it might be preferable to be a little more Zen in how we go about our lives.

     This message is a tad contradictory to the “productivity-is-everything” mindset that characterizes our way of life. The notion that easy, simple, and spontaneous are the ingredients of strength seems unimaginable, and that by obedience we become divine is off our radar altogether.

     What does make sense, however, is the idea that because many of us strive too hard and work too much, it might be wise to adopt a “believing love” mentality, one that assigns a benevolent goodness/godness to the universe, and that considers it both wise and safe to entrust ourselves to it. This is no small task when we’ve experienced the likes of illness, loss, betrayal, failure, and the many other dark visitors that come with the territory of life on planet earth, for when we are hurt it is second nature to close our hearts, not to open them.

     But occurrences that incline us to shut down emotionally need not cause skepticism regarding a “higher law” if we realize that it is not in the job description of such a spiritual entity to orchestrate events to our liking, or to prevent or protect us from harm; rather, it is to accompany us through them. This notion may be of little comfort if we are hoping for miracles, but if we take a deep breath and walk into the fire, we may find true what Buddhism teaches, namely that it’s raining in there!