Satori!

I recieved a message on Facebook, that modern answer to the agora, telling me to check out Plum Village-none other than the website of an old teacher (although we've never met in person- how fortunate we live in a world where books are so readily available!!). The actual site is www.plumvillage.org . It was in response to some comment or other on the stresses of modern day life. Perhaps I had forgotten my roots as a Buddhist- like most of us Westerners, my first introduction to Buddhism was Zen. The first book that really generated that satori was The Tao of Pooh, and I continue to recommend it to this day for people interested in learning the fundamentals of Buddhism. True, it's technically a Taoist text, but like many religions, a common thread runs through them- especially Eastern religions like Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism. There are many paths, but ultimately the same goal.
Satori refers to the sudden insight and flash of understanding Buddhists sometimes experience. There has been a long-standing debate about this- is reaching that state a gradual process, or an immediate one? The most frequent agreement we have is that it's a combination of both- first, that there is a process by which the mind is prepared for a sudden flash of insight, so it's gradual. Yet at the same time, a moment may come that gives a sudden flash of insight. Someone once told me if two people disagree, they may both be wrong. In this case, it seems like both and neither.
But back to the point at hand- I am a Mahayana Buddhist, a little bit different than Zen, although again, there are the same fundamentals of Buddha's teaching. And it would seem that I've been somewhat remiss in remembering these things, as I've been pretty stressed lately. I consider my patroness (that word never gets old) to be Green Tara, a yiddam dating all the way back to the shaman cults that predated Buddhism in Tibet. I say cults with no intention of implying the more negative connotations of this world- merely a secretive religious order. A yiddam is closest in English translated as goddess, although this is something of a misnomer-Green Tara is a Buddha, and Buddhas are not considered gods or goddesses. The name carries the meaning of what they are. They are enlightened beings who stick around to help the rest of us out, having taken the Great Vow- that is, I will not enter enlightenment until every sentient being can enter it with me. (Yes, I took this vow too- hopefully I can fulfill it). At any rate, I went from studying Zen to Mahayana, and from there the rest is history. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we all need to return to our roots sometimes- the fundamental things we learn that hold our world together. When you get lost, retrace your steps. I for one miss my meditation cushion and my house shrine very much (both are en route as soon as we can pay the #$%^ing moving company), but true enlightenment is not dependent on these things. Rather, it is the coming back to fundamental awareness- breathe in, breathe out- yet be aware of this breath, then, when you're ready, expand this awareness to the world around you. But first and foremost, focus on the most fundamental aspect of our existence- the simple flow of air in and out of our bodies, and the simple beat of our hearts.