The Deepest Spiritual Life Ezine

A Monthly Publication, Issue #108 – August 2011

Publisher: Susan Quinn

http://www.thedeepestspirituallife.com

The Metta Prayer: Part 4

“Peace lies at the root of the enlightened response and guidance is its quality.” The Mind of Clover, by Robert Aitken

May you be filled with lovingkindness

May you be well

May you be peaceful and at ease

May you be happy

Over the last four months I’ve been discussing the metta prayer, and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to dive into the many ways we can understand each line. This month I’m discussing the third line, “May you be peaceful and at ease,” to see how I work with this part of the prayer. I think that this line offers me the opportunity to be peaceful within myself and in my environment, so that’s what I’m looking into in this issue.

Internal peace

One way of describing internal peace is that I experience calmness; my inner state is undisturbed. I notice my “beingness,” where there is nothing to fix, acquire, eliminate or change. I find myself in an open mode, where there is nothing “to become” but only a recognition that I can simply “be,” and there is nowhere else to go but right here, right now, where everything is included. I don’t have to keep anything out, send anything out, but remain receptive and open to what is. At this very moment I feel peaceful, allowing the words to show up, typing them down, remaining open to whatever thought presents itself. I can experience that peacefulness “on the cushion,” but for me, realizing this peace at different times throughout my day is such a blessing. I also recognize that the quality of peacefulness is shifting, disappearing, and reappearing all the time. So that when I feel perturbed or anxious, I remind myself that no matter what occurs, peace or lack of peace, it will constantly change.

To Be At Ease

For me, to be “at ease” is my experience in my external environment, particularly when I’m with others. Where peacefulness is an internal experience, being at ease is my external life. I find myself being other-centered—curious about others, open and attentive to the people in my life. A benefit of practice is that my compassion deepens; it also allows me to be engaged, even when I see others suffering. I am more at ease than in years past; I feel more comfortable bearing witness to the suffering of others, even when there is nothing I can “do” but be a ready presence and a receptive ear.

When I’m at ease, I also find that I can be more fluid in situations that aren’t easy. I have aging relatives who are having a very difficult time right now; from one day to the next I don’t know who will show up: the person who forgets, or who gets angry or frustrated, or who feels helpless. It’s so precious to me to be able to respond to these situations with more ease, in a way that isn’t always undemanding, but mostly seems to be what is called for.

Inside and Outside

Over time I’ve learned that peacefulness and ease are interrelated and ever-changing. When I feel peaceful, it’s easier for me to react to people in ways that are helpful, loving and appropriate. When I respond to the world with ease, I naturally feel peaceful. I also recognize that peacefulness and ease are not always present. I grouse about my seeming lack of ability to help others, or over-think of ways to deal with difficult situations; at those times, peacefulness and ease seem to have gone on vacation. Yet peacefulness and ease are ever-present, whether I am conscious of them or not, and I can tap into their gentle flow at any time, in any place. So right now, in this moment, I wish for you the sweetness of being peaceful and at ease.

Susan has been practicing Zen meditation for 18 years. She has a regular meditation practice and belongs to the Three Treasures Zen Community in San Diego, CA. Susan has also formed a meditation group in Poinciana, Florida, and teaches meditation. She was empowered as a Dharma Holder in December 2009. In addition to her spiritual practices, Susan has her own business, the Quinn Company, and has been an independent consultant and trainer since 1978. She specializes in facilitation of problem solving for teams and groups in conflict. She is certified to train using the DiSC Personal Profile System. Her other best-received training programs are “Dealing with Difficult People,” “Managing Conflict,” and “Learning to Live in the Eye of the Hurricane.” She also offers values clarification workshops and strategic planning services in partnership with her husband, Jerry. You can reach Susan at the Quinn Company, 134 Lemon Grove Drive, Poinciana, FL 34759, 863-393-8197, or email susan@thedeepestspirituallife.com.

To subscribe to The Deepest Spiritual Life Ezine go to www.thedeepestspirituallife.com , press the Newsletter button and complete the "to subscribe" information