A Dhamma Hug.

There are many reasons to keep a close contact with your Dhamma Master.

You may feel that there are practical questions you want to ask, or further instructions necessary for your journey, or perhaps you just need a Dhamma hug.

So many times I would telephone my own Master (many years before internet and modern varieties of communication), just to hear his voice. To be reminded of our relationship. As time went by and my understanding grew, I would struggle to find a question, any question that would merit my call. Eventually there were no questions left, only the need for contact.

But of course he knew my heart and so would lovingly respond with a few words, not about practice, but about my day to day life.

“How is your wife, your children, your work. How are you?”

He would speak in a kind and fatherly way and that would be enough to remind me that although I always walk alone on my journey, I am in good company.

Now I endeavour to offer the same companionship and parental love to my own students. What we ourselves receive, we share.

Modern communication is easy, with no need to wait until after six in the evening for low price telephone calls, but now with sound and vision together, we can meet. You will tell me that in one way or another, you suffer and I will tell you its alright, it's just suffering. It may not be pleasant, but it's alright.

Now you will relax a little, knowing that you too are not alone, and your struggle is understood, that you are not doing anything wrong, but only meeting the consequences of that which has gone before. So, 'chin up', be confident, face the new day and continue, I will be here and you do not disturb me with your questions. 

Even if you ask the same one in a variety of ways, it's still the Path, and when all your questions finally fall away you will experience freedom from the fearful and controlling aspect of mind.

In the end, all Dhamma teaching is a simple reminder to the heart to be gentle, to be patient and to be kind to itself.

Because we often forget this, because we often feel alone on our path and because we need a hug, the Master waits for you, to support your effort and to remind you that whatever the mind may tell you, this is the most important thing in your life, so take care of you. The Path is not always easy, not always comfortable, not always clear, but always worth your greatest effort. 

This is the way of Love, and this is the path we walk together.  

 

May all beings be happy.