a good or bad choice

Acceptance is perhaps the most challenging aspect of life. We find ourselves consistently dissatisfied with what is, and typically grasp for something better, something to change, or something different than what reality presents. As such, we choose to impose concerted opinions about whether something is pleasing to us or not. Yet Shakespeare's Hamlet wisely said, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." By creating the distinction we foster the conditions of pervasive suffering. The source of all unhappiness is being intolerant of the present situation.

On the other hand, tolerance is not what's called for either. In a response to one of my recent tracts, I was accosted with vituperative and provocative language. Their attempt to rectify a perceived wrong through unsubtle judgment did less to induce critical dialog than to incite inner violence. Perhaps there was a need for tolerance to the onslaught in a move toward resolution? Strangely, however, one should not tolerate anything, for this implies remaining bracingly static, bearing indignantly the situation which serves only to increase the inner conflict. Nor should we kowtow from our self-defined positions to the other. Rather, we must forget ourselves and our deeply-held sacred position, and compassionately welcome that which we find. Acceptance of all, not tolerance, is the key.

We are reminded of such in the Wheat and the Tares analogy in today's lesson. The Christ explains that leaving both the weeds and the grain to grow alongside each other is better than to make a biased distinction. We may, unknowingly, have them confused. It is therefore best to have both remain, the good and the bad, and let life be without judgment.

Just last week I visited the local botanic gardens and marveled at a beautiful iridescent blue thistle seed head. Normally we might consider this plant unwanted because it takes space away from the useful and beneficial, yet here it was anything but a weed. In actuality, the flower exists without interpretation. It is neither good nor bad. We alone create the distinction. We may be distracted by our prejudice, our inculturation, or our reasoning may not always be right. Sometimes the weeds, that which we consider unwanted, are good for us too.

LIkewise, my father is currently involved in a medical research test. The doctors are evaluating between two titanium discs that can help reduce the pressure on his spine. He had hoped for the newer, compact version but was told after the surgery that he received the original one. I expected him to be disappointed but he judiciously indicated that it didn't matter. There was no distinction for in the end they both worked toward the same goal. 

There is nothing wrong nor right; nothing good nor bad; and there is nothing to choose. Everything is simply as it is. All condemnation creates division, but judgment is not reality. The Tao says, "Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you."

love, always,

pia