Having tasted the sweetness of solitude and calmness, he who lives by the Law is free from fear and suffering.

This verse is traditionally linked to a story concerning one of the Buddha’s followers called Elder Tissa. Although the Buddha was on his deathbed, Elder Tissa decided to separate himself from everyone in order to meditate. His fellow monks criticised him for withdrawing. They regarded such isolation as displaying a lack of love for the Buddha. The Buddha however praised Elder Tissa’s efforts. He urged the monks to follow his example.

Having tasted the sweetness of solitude…

Although periods of seclusion (known as ‘sesshin’ in the Zen tradition), are part of the Zen training, initially we are encouraged to give ourselves wholeheartedly into the daily life practice before we include zazen. To follow the Zen way does not necessitate withdrawing from society. The training, in fact, leads to full engagement and communion with everyone and everything for the benefit of all.

Many people today find such participation problematic. They find it much easier to communicate on social media. A mother speaking on a radio programme recently said that her children had stopped listening to her in face to face situations. She could only get their attention by texting them on their phones.

and calmness…,

Many shut themselves away and become too anxious to leave their homes. Instead of promoting calmness, such isolation is leading to an epidemic of mental ill-health.

Some health professionals prescribe a remedy, based on the Norwegian concept of ‘Dugnadsánd’,meaning ‘community spirit’. Volunteering is sometimes suggested as an antidote to loneliness and depression. This therapy is linked to another Scandinavian concept called ‘Friluftslir’ meaning to ‘embrace nature’. For example, those suffering from social anxiety may be encouraged to participate in a group activity such as planting trees. However, although such pursuits are obviously beneficial, unless the root cause of our suffering is recognised and worked through, they will be of limited value. We can physically be involved in an action but still be daydreaming or in the grip of self-consciousness.

he who lives by the Law is free from fear and suffering.

Another word for ‘Law’ is ‘Dharma’. There are two meanings of Dharma. One is the Buddha’s teachings. The other is the ‘Way things really are’. The Buddha taught that there is suffering. We suffer because despite impermanence we cling to objects and ideas including the assumption that the ‘I’ is permanent. Such ideas are driven by fear, desire and hate. They make up what ‘I’ am and obscure reality. The Buddha taught that we can only free ourselves from fear by meeting it. Ven. Myokyo-ni often reminded us that fear and ‘I’ are like the palm and the back of the same hand. When we give ourselves wholeheartedly into fear’s churning. and reverently ask it to ‘burn me away’, the energy is transformed into ‘Choiceless Awareness’. In this Choiceless Awareness there is a total absence of ‘me’ and all anxieties. Alert and ‘at one’ with everything occurring, there is our appropriate response to all circumstances. The following Jataka story points to this.

There was once a king who ruled Benares. Originally, he was very considerate and kind to his subjects. As the years passed, he became rather lethargic. He cut himself off from his people. He lounged around most of the time. He ate and drank rather too much and took very little exercise. He had become so distant from everyone that his interest in governing them was slowly drifting away.

One of the King’s ministers was very concerned about his changed attitude. He reflected on how he could help him. The minister managed to persuade the king to take a rare walk around the palace grounds. He told him he wished to discuss policy with him. As they were walking and talking, they suddenly spotted a tortoise. It was ambling along very slowly. The King had never encountered a tortoise before and asked the minister what it was. ‘It is a tortoise,’ he replied. He explained that a tortoise keeps moving most of the day but doesn’t get very far, and that some regard the tortoise as lazy. The minster then addressed the tortoise saying, “Hey, Sir Waddler, how slowly you move. I wonder what you’d do if the palace garden were engulfed in flames. Wouldn’t you be burnt very rapidly?” The Tortoise replied, “It is true, I move very slowly. However, I’m always alert. I know exactly what is going on around me. In an emergency, I know where all the concealed holes and safe refuges are. I could not only save myself but all the other creatures in danger”.

The minster said to the King, “What a wise creature”. He is always alert. He moves steadily most of the time. He only rests when necessary. Someone like that is of great benefit, rather than someone who lazes around and only rushes when pushed. The King nodded thoughtfully. From then onwards he gave himself wholeheartedly into serving his people.

He enjoyed ‘the sweetness of solitude’ not through isolation in the secluded environment of the palace, but through living in the joy, compassion and serenity of the open heart.