This verse points to the unshakeable serenity of the Buddha Nature (Choiceless Awareness).

There was once a poor slave called Androcles. Many times, his cruel master accused him of laziness and threatened to throw him to the lions. One day Androcles decided he could stand it no more. He took his opportunity and ran away. By nightfall he was exhausted and decided to rest in a forest. He slumped against a tree and thankfully closed his eyes and slept. Suddenly a noise woke him. A huge lion was limping towards him. Androcles froze in horror. As the lion got nearer, he saw that the lion was holding out a paw. The paw was badly swollen and covered in blood. Embedded between the claws was a large thorn. With trembling fingers, Androcles pulled it out. He cleaned the wound and wrapped leaves around it. In gratitude the lion licked Androcles with his warm rough tongue. They both lay down to sleep. The lion protected Androcles from the cold all night. In the morning the lion disappeared and Androcles continued on his way.

A few years after, Androcles was recaptured and ordered to fight in the arena. A trap door opened releasing a magnificent lion. Androcles closed his eyes and started to shake uncontrollably. Suddenly he felt a warm rough tongue licking him. He opened his eyes and was amazed to recognise his friend. The audience clapped and cheered. The Emperor summoned Androcles to stand before him. When he heard Androcles’ story he gave the order to free him. From that day onward Androcles lived with the lion in peace and harmony.

The lion in the story represents the precious energy of the emotions. Whether in the form of fear, hate or desire, we often waste it in endless thought streams which constantly disturb and enslave us, as Androcles was enslaved. It is precious because when we befriend it, as Androcles befriended the lion, it is transmuted into the energy of the Buddha Nature. This involves reverently inviting the hot flames of the emotional energy to ‘burn me away’. After bearing the discomfort of the churning and burning, the ‘Choiceless Awareness, beyond ‘I’ opens. Friendliness, serenity and compassion flow. This is exemplified by Androcles taking out the thorn from the lion’s paw.

Over the last few years, a member of our family and two friends have been diagnosed with dementia. When an initial diagnosis is made, both sufferers and their loved ones often attempt to calm anxiety by consulting experts and medical books. It is possible to find all sorts of ideas on coping with such a situation. However, the symptoms and progress of dementia are often unpredictable. They often change from day to day. A pre-planned approach is often not possible. However, it is generally agreed that keeping calm is extremely beneficial. When the carer is unflustered and relaxed, the patient’s fears are soothed.

When we acknowledge our own anxiety and allow it to be transformed into the serenity of the Buddha Nature, suffering is held on behalf of all.

In the following Zen story this is symbolised in the idea of ‘eating the blame’.

“One day Zen Mater Fugai’s cook had so many demands made on him in the kitchen that he was held up in the preparation of the Master’s dinner. Suddenly, realising that he was behind schedule and had very little time, the cook grabbed his kitchen knife and rushed down to the vegetable path in the garden. He hastily cut some green tops off the vegetables and hurried back to the kitchen. He chopped them up and put them in a cooking pot and proceeded to make soup. He didn’t notice that amongst the greens he had accidentally chopped up a snake. When it was piping hot, he took it to Master Fugai. The soup was ladled into the bowls. Master Fugai’s followers declared the soup delicious. Suddenly Master Fugai bellowed ‘What is this?’ The cook, hearing the Master’s voice, rushed out of the kitchen and bowed. Master Fugai pointed to his bowl. The cook looked inside and saw the snake’s head floating in the soup. With one deft movement he picked out the head and put it into his mouth and ate it. ‘Oh thank you Master!’ said the cook. He bowed and returned to the kitchen.”

An ordered daily timetable benefits all, but especially dementia sufferers and their carers.The Zen practice of wholeheartedly giving myself into whatever is being done allows the calm compassionate energy of Choiceless Awareness to care for both patients and their surroundings. In this way a supportive, serene environment is created. As needs increase over time, giving myself wholeheartedly into assisting with washing, drying, dressing and feeding become expressions of love, particularly when verbal understanding diminishes. When situations become challenging, we retire momentarily to another room. We reconnect to the quietness of each breath. We bow to reconnect to the peace of the open heart. It is always there to show the way. It will never let us down.