Welcome back to the Inner Sanctuary podcast,
Where we explore the journey of mindfulness and self-discovery.
A space to return,
Again and again,
To what is here,
Just as it is.
I'm Keiko.
With over 20 years of Zen practice,
I am honored to guide this community in practicing Sonomama,
Sitting rooted in Zen teachings.
Today,
We are diving into a fascinating concept,
The art of leaving your thoughts and emotions as they are to find peace in the present moment.
It might sound contradictory,
But hear me out.
If we can return,
Learn to leave our thoughts and feelings alone,
Our minds will naturally find peace.
I know it sounds ironic,
But leaving them as they are can take many forms.
It could mean not judging what comes up,
Avoiding unnecessary narratives,
Or simply going with the flow.
At first,
This might feel a bit odd or even overwhelming.
You may find your thoughts noisy and chaotic,
But here's the good news.
With practice,
They will begin to settle.
You'll discover that you have the power to let them be.
In Zen philosophy,
There's a beautiful concept called Shoho Jiso,
Which translates to the true nature of all phenomena.
This principle suggests that by allowing things to be as they are,
We can uncover their true nature.
When we reach this understanding,
We often feel a profound sense of relief and clarity.
To cultivate this practice,
It's essential to set aside time to sit each day.
Even if it's just for five minutes,
Consistency is key.
Imagine it like hiking.
You need to walk the trail to discover new vistas.
Along the way,
You might encounter unfamiliar views that challenge you.
Even on the toughest paths,
If you persist,
You'll eventually witness breathtaking sights you've never seen before.
In our inner sanctuary,
Some of you may already be noticing shifts in your scenery.
I like to think of myself as a guide on this journey.
The path ahead is filled with possibilities.
So I ask you,
What kind of scenery are you observing right now?
Take a moment to sit quietly and truly experience it.
Remember,
The key is to sit diligently every day and appreciate the scenery as it unfolds,
Just as it is.
Thank you for joining me today on Inner Sanctuary.
I hope you found inspiration in today's discussion.
Until next time,
Keep exploring,
Keep sitting,
And keep discovering the beauty around you.
