Asked to write the August monthly teaching, my first reaction is that nothing I say can help you. The beauty of this path is that it’s ours to unfold.  I’m sharing some questions that are on my plate after years of practice, with a teacher and without.  

• Making the shift to see through the ego instead of exclusively from the ego’s perspective, now what?
• The world seems kooky everywhere I turn. Can this practice help?
• How to stay true to the teaching when I’m so immersed in materialism, capitalism?

Recently, I watched a dharma chat between the late Robert Thurman and Daniel Aitken, said to be his last interview. I had never followed his teaching closely, but the chat drew me in.

Because I studied and practiced ayurveda, yoga, and Zen (Indian Inner Sciences), in very direct lineages of teacher to student, his teaching resonated deeply. He understood Sanskrit and Tibetan and translated Buddhist texts into English for us, so this talk tied those together for me. Here are a few notes that stood out for me in Robert’s talk.

• Teachers over the years have protected this jewel of practice, so that we may use it NOW. 
• Belief will not get you “there.” We have to discover for ourselves what is real, in ourselves and the world.
• Every night we embrace the disappearance of the ego. Maybe the shift, to move the ego’s perspective out of the driver’s seat isn’t as difficult as it seems.
• Unreasonable joy is our birthright. We don’t earn it or purchase it, in spite of everything.

After watching the chat, I remembered some possible answers to those questions above. I remember to have gratitude for the living lineage we get to practice in, and all teachers before us. Also, vulnerability is our greatest strength. Can I set aside my opinion and open up in the face of things I don’t want or like? Can I be with what’s happening, just as it is? 

Regarding our materialist need for some sort of proof that this path is useful, I have faith that spending our life energy bringing the teachings forward, through meditation and working with our minds, can be a real balm for the ills of our minds.

May all beings be happy, loved, well fed, and may they awaken to find their ways.