Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Zen Master Peaches

Almost every Zendo has a stick. Although it is mostly ceremonial, there are still plenty of old school teachers who use it. Unlike Catholic nuns, the stick is not meant to strike the fear of God or Buddha into you. The stereotypical nun, with sadistic pleasure, will make you wait and squirm before administering the wrath of God. In the Zendo, you never see it coming.

The stick in Zen is more of a rude awakening than punishment. It is not painful (when done properly). A couple of good taps and the meditating daydreamer is shocked back into the reality of moment. To keep still and present, one needs all the help they can get.

The goal is to take the practice zazen (sitting meditation) into life. This, of course is much easier said than done. As a beginning student, I had no idea how to start. Then I realized that a Zen Master lives in my home.

Peaches has lived with us for 12 ½ years. He is a Goffins Cockatoo parrot. Like most children and animals, Peaches lives purely in the moment and has no need for koans, chants, or incense. Nature has give Peaches all the tools of a good teacher, intelligence (parrots are as smart as 5 year old children) and perseverance. Peaches believes if you squawk loud enough there is no need for a stick.

Whenever I drift away, (I prefer to think of it as being deep in thought) Peaches will let out a monster squawk that instantly brings me back to the present moment. Try to avoid or humor him and he turns up the volume. He is fully present and expects you to be the same. When you are fully engaged with Peaches, he rewards you with songs and games.

It is easy to be blissful when the conditions are perfect. The true Zen Master is blissful even when things have done to hell. Getting angry at traffic jams or endless meetings is non-acceptance of a current reality. These are the opportunities to let go of wants and be with what is. SQUAWK! Got to go, time for another lesson.