“Every day mind is getting out of bed, eating breakfast, going to work, coming home, going to bed. It is laughing and crying, being anxious and joyful. Everyday mind is walking and talking, sitting down and standing up. It is the mind of suffering, conflict, anger and hatred, love and devotion. How can everyday mind be the way? Everyday mind, we say, is too mundane, too ordinary, and so we want the opposite, we want the magical. It is our very search, our lust for the miraculous and magical, that hides from us the truth that simply to be, simply to know I am, is already the miracle that we seek. Everything, as it is, is perfect, but you must stop seeing it as if in a mirror, as if in a dream.”
~ Albert Low
Albert Low, 84, is a western Zen Master, an internationally published author of 11 books, and a former human resources executive. He has lived in England, South Africa, Canada and the U.S. and has resided in Montreal since 1979. He was born in London on December 16, 1928. He left England with his wife Jean in 1954, and emigrated to South Africa. There he was employed by the Central News Agency where he eventually, he became the senior personnel executive. In 1963, he left South Africa as he could not agree with the apartheid policy and moved to Canada. He settled in Ontario and was again employed as a personnel executive, this time with a large utility that was at that time called the Union Gas Company. Eventually, he wrote a book based upon his researches: Zen and Creative Management, which has since sold more than 75,000 copies. During his time at the gas company, he continued to give talks and seminars on the subject of management, organization and creativity — the latter a subject he has spent considerable time studying, and which is very closely connected with Zen practice.
Image: Mathiole – “The Optimist” from 1000 drawings. Quote: Whiskey River
I rather like a routine. 🙂
Then, you and Mr. Low, are aligned as Zen-masters. 🙂
I wonder how much time I waste in waiting for the big moment, only to realize that this very moment is indeed, big..
Yes, Mimi. Exactly where my head was it. This is, as you say, BIG.
Oh this really got to me – thankyou, David.
Glad to hear it Julie.
This made me think of all the years I spent “getting ready for the next thing” or planning to do “when I grew up,” and damned if, all that time, it wasn’t happening! With every passing day I grow more keenly aware of how every moment of the NOW must be savored. I’m coming to understand that life is a succession of little moments that are precious and comforting and dear….enjoying a glass of wine and easy, familiar conversation with my husband as we cook dinner, calling a dear friend in the middle of the day to tell her she’s loved and share a giggle, reminiscing with my brother over some crazy vacation my parents subjected us to as kids (think the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD or the Tabasco factory in New Iberia, LA–I’ve been all over the world, and yet these are the experiences that so often spring to mind…). Mimi’s right–it’s THIS moment, right here, right now, that counts….. 🙂
You so nailed it with your comment Lori and brought back so many memories of waiting for …right here….right now.
Everyday is magical. Transcendence is not an everyday occurrence but is an everyday possibility especially if we are content in our routine. Emerson wrote “Our virtue comes in moments, our vice is habitual.” but what if our habits, our routine is more virtue than vice? What if we look for virtue in our days? Perhaps such an everyday mind is open to magic and transcendence so that when virtous moments of transcendence show themselves we will be ready.
Frank, you had me at your opening sentence with magical all the way through your close with virtuous moments and transcendence. Thank you.
Breaking the routine today David. I’m in your neck of the world at a conference in Times Square…a bit nippy but love this city! Happy Friday to you
Yes, mixing it up a bit Tina. NYC, good for you. You even had snow. Nothing like the city with snow fall. Magical.
a bit of a leap from the bear thing
LaDona, you have to be nimble to keep up.
Very nice.
It is Vicki. Thanks.
Made me think!
Me too!
That was a wonderful statement that really puts it all in perspective!!
Yes, doesn’t it though!
Very powerful. Now or never.
Yes, it is.
This piece *so* mirrors my Work today. Living and being in the simple parts of life.
The first half, mirrors mine. 🙂
Poignant! Simple and really wise! love it
Yes, yes it is Adriana