At the end of September 2001, how many of us looked at the future, and
ventured we would be no worse off or no better off a year from then
than we were then? There are still causes for alarm. There are still
times to celebrate. Collectively and qualitatively, did anything really
change?
Yes and no. Changes and challenges face
our planet
right now. Each change and each challenge is an opportunity. Every
awareness of our fragility reminds us that none of our circumstances
are under any obligation to provide us with fulfillment, satisfaction,
or value.
The opportunity, then, is to be in a way for ourselves and for others
that in and of itself is fulfilling, satisfying, and valuable,
regardless of our circumstances.
There's the pertinent
Zen
tale about a
monastery
raided by bandits who broke a hole in the roof to get in. Upon
discovering
what happened,
the students said, "Let's pick up clubs and go and look for the
perpetrators of this terrible crime, and punish them for what they've
done to us.". On learning their
intentions,
the abbot said "Let's go and look for the people who did this for us
and thank them for their beautiful remodeling. I
love
how I can now see the
moon
and the stars through my new skylight.".
Possibility rather than predicament is in focus. If we tell the truth
about it, our natural tendency as human beings is to avoid
distinguishing that. Yet if we choose to, we can create possibility out
of
nothing.