Hippie Buddhists
When The Farm Community first started, there was a strong alignment with Buddhism, especially the clean, Zen Buddhism of Japan, with its uncluttered approach to spiritual practice.
Suzuki Roshi, a monk empowered with the task of establishing a Zen practice in the West, spoke of quieting the Monkey Mind so that we might feel and become aware of the Big Mind, connecting with the greater sense of peace within us and that connects us to the All. Many of us had copies of his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, a phrase which meant that we can approach every moment anew, making the necessary changes in ourselves without waiting, in the here and now.
It is said that Buddhism is not a religion, but a science, a system for finding our path to a life of happiness, joy, and fulfillment. This course is clearly defined and can be pursued and attained by anyone willing to follow the basic guidelines of the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path:
-
right view
-
right aspiration
-
right speech
-
right action
-
right livelihood
-
right effort
-
right mindfulness
-
right concentration.
1. Right View
The meaning of Right View is to be aware that our actions have consequences. Because the law of cause and effect exists, what we refer to by the Sanskrit word Karma, we benefit from living in a way that minimizes harm to ourselves, to others, and to the world at large. When we truly accept and practice of Right View, we are more mindful of everything we say and do.
The intention here is that when our mind is clear, we can see beyond the present moment and realize that what we do in the here and now manifests in the future. Both good and bad, positive and negative, what we create is directly related to how aware we are of the consequences of our actions.
We might refer to this as a Universal Truth, because this concept is expressed in many religions, faiths, and practices, from "Do unto Others as You would have them do unto You," to "What goes around, comes around."
2. Right Intention
Right intention is the commitment to put forth the best of who we are in everything we do. When we begin with honest intentions, we can maintain an open heart and face the world with a clear conscience. To also allow this in each other, starting from a place of acknowledgment of another person’s goodwill.
3. Right Speech
What we say matters and makes a difference. It seems obvious that lies are words with no truth behind them, that have no energy or produce negative energy, and we intuitively know it is wrong to lie. We can further understand that gossiping and talking badly about someone is not helpful and hurts ourselves as well as the other person. Do our words create unity or are they divisive?
It has been a long tradition in our community to examine what we say through these filters: Is what I have to say helpful? Necessary? Kind?
4. Right Action
Actions are when we move beyond thought and intention and are about the things we actually do. There is even more power behind our actions, the physical manifestation of our thoughts and words.
5. Right Livelihood
The concept of Right Livelihood, doing work that is seamless with our ideals, resonated strongly with many of us when forming the community. So much of our energy each day is consumed by our work that it serves us best when our daily tasks are in alignment with our values.
This begins with being honest, and giving our work the benefit of our energy. We can give 100% of ourselves to what we do and not hold back. We can take this even further when our work involves service to others. Finding Right Livelihood is a key element to achieving satisfaction in life.
6. Right Effort
Right Effort means that we are doing more than going through the motions. Instead, we are consciously aware of our intentions. In this way, our actions are a reflection of our commitment to Right Effort, until they become behaviors forming the core of who we are.
7. Right Mindfulness
All of our thoughts, actions, and intentions, rely on a foundation of Mindfulness. This implies a focus, paying attention to the essence behind our intentions as we create our reality.
8. Right Concentration
Right Concentration as expressed as one of the core teachings from The Farm can be stated as Attention is Energy. Where you place your attention is what will come back to you multiplied.
It was an auspicious day! Deborah and I hiked up to the overlook near our hotel in the mountains of Nepal and came across two monks. One told me he left Tibet 15 years ago and went Dharmsala, India to study Buddhism. They had hiked from a monastery for 2 1/2 hours to reach the same overlook.
The two monks were also kind to let us meditate with them as they offered puja, prayers for peace, and an end to the violence and suffering in the world. We discussed the sad situation with Israel and the people of Palestine, and the war in Ukraine.
Ralph Waldo Emerson? Lao Tzu? Gautama Buddha?
The quote below has been expressed in many forms.
This version is attributed to a translation of Buddha’s teachings:
“We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
“We are what we think about all day long.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
And as expressed by Mahatma Gandhi:
