“The Bhikkhu who avoids negligence and is ever watchful will not fall away - he is near Nirvana”.

Over the last few months, two neighbours have died. One was a cheery lady of 95 who often kept active by walking up and down the close on her zimmer frame wearing her scarlet coat and hat. The other was a friendly elderly gentleman who always walked very briskly wearing a fair isle jumper and carrying a furled umbrella in all weathers. Knowing them for 40 years it felt as though they would be part of the Close’s life forever. On hearing of their deaths, we recalled the last occasion we had chatted to them. At the time, of course, we didn’t know it was the last. If we had known, we’d have spent a little longer with them. Perhaps we would have spent time making deeper inquiries concerning their health.

‘The Bhikkhu who avoids negligence…’

There is a Japanese phrase, ‘Ichigo Ichie’, meaning ‘once in a lifetime’. To live this phrase means to treat every encounter as if it is the last. We can never take it for granted that it won’t be. Perhaps we don’t always appreciate our neighbours, our friends, and family especially if we meet regularly.

It is only when they are no longer with us that we realise that they are irreplaceable. We often feel bored interacting with the same people or following the same routine week after week. This is also one of the themes in the film Groundhog Day.

Phil Conners is a very grumpy weatherman. He wakes up to the same day, every day. He hates his job. His relationship with his girlfriend is falling apart. He feels very bored with his life. In desperation he embarks on an orgy of indulgences. He consoles himself with far too many rich desires. He tries to inject some excitement into his life by stealing cars. He attempts to bring some love into his life by seducing women. However, such activities throw him into even greater despondency. He unsuccessfully tries to commit suicide. Phil Conner’s frustrations arise because he is unable to see the freshness of each changing moment. He neglects to make full contact with whatever is occurring. His negative thoughts driven by anger and desire create a barrier to ‘what is’. This screen prevents ‘once in a lifetime’ encounters.

‘… is ever watchful’

It is not until he abandons self-centredness that he begins to notice that there are people in the world who need assistance. A child climbs a tree and falls out of it. Phil Conners catches the child in his arms before the child crashes to the ground. He spots a group of elderly ladies needing a flat tyre changed. He changes it for them. He learns to play the piano and provides entertainment at get-togethers. It is not long before depression is transformed into joy. The broken relationship with his girlfriend mended. The Zen Way helps us to lead such a joyful life. However, it is not by learning about it (as we see Dogen believed in the following story), but by actually walking it. It is expressed from moment to moment when we give ourselves wholeheartedly into the daily life practice.

When Dogen was a young man, he decided to learn about Zen. He set sail for China. When the ship docked in port, Dogen noticed an old Chinese monk who had boarded the ship to buy some Japanese mushrooms. He could tell from the monk’s bearing and conversation that his practice was mature. The monk was, in fact, the head cook of a large monastery. Dogen was keen to make his acquaintance and invited him for a meal and tea. He thought it would be an excellent opportunity to discuss the Dharma. The old monk thanked him politely but declined the offer. He explained that he had to get back to the monastery as he was preparing for a celebration. He said he wanted to add some Japanese mushrooms to the meal he was cooking. He knew they would give the monks pleasure. Dogen, in his disappointment, asked him if cooking was that important; “Surely” he said “Your priority should be to discuss the Dharma?”. The old monk remarked that Dogen had a poor understanding of the Dharma and walked away. He was teaching Dogen that our daily life and Dharma practice are one and the same.

Every moment of our daily lives offers the opportunity to be ‘ever watchful’. To be ‘watchful’ means to be aware of the desire and anger that drive our thoughts. It means to allow the energy to burn ‘them’ away. It means that as soon as thoughts clutter up our head, we empty them out by wholeheartedly giving ourselves to whatever is arising. Then there is direct contact with whoever or whatever is encountered. Compassion flows and needs are seen and responded to.

In Nymans Garden there is a fountain. A small child started to cry because her mother had no coins. The child wanted to throw one into the fountain to make a wish. An elderly lady immediately opened her purse and found one for her.

‘… will not fall away - he is near Nirvana’.

Such small acts are totally spontaneous and free from self-consciousness. The elderly lady, ‘at one’ with the little girl saw the situation clearly. In Choiceless Awareness we ‘will not fall away’ because ‘I’ am no longer there. This is Nirvana.

Thungpa Rinpoche expresses it:

“The everyday practice is simply to develop a complete acceptance

And openness to all situations and emotions

And to all people - experiencing

Everything totally without reservations and

Blockages so that one never withdraws nor centralises into oneself”.