The Heart of the Matter
October 22, 2017
Draw a Breath, Not a Line

tragedycomedymasks.jpg

Throughout history and even last Thursday, inner-directed people on the so-called "spiritual path", have had a tendency to perceive the world as "maya" -- the fancy sanskrit name for "illusion."

I used to feel this way a lot.

Back in the early days of my adolescent quest for meaning, I had a curious habit of drawing lines in the sand. On one side of the line was the "inner life" -- the place where God lived (or if not lived, at least vacationed). On the other side of the line was "the world." You know -- the laughable detritus of life on planet Earth: relationships, shopping malls, money, politics, ego, organized religion, high school geometry, taxes, Frosted Flakes, and anything I didn't understand, agree with, or like.

Somehow, it made me feel good to draw these lines -- not unlike the way Democrat and Republican spin doctors strut their stuff on CNN after each political debate.

Well... I would like to take this late night blogospheric moment to humbly apologize to all of those whose lives I somehow judged by my habitual line-drawing behavior.

I see things differently now -- kind of like that old Zen story...

Two young monks, one fine day, found themselves existentially arguing over whether it was the wind or the flag that was moving. Unable to agree, they sought the counsel of their teacher.

"Master, oh Master" they asked, "is it the wind or the flag that is moving?"

"Neither," the Master replied. "It's your mind that is moving."

And so, dear friend, if you find yourself judging anyone these days, including yourself, chill. It's a total waste of time -- especially when you could be enjoying the very thing you were born for.

Draw a breath, not a line.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at October 22, 2017 12:22 AM

Comments

Wisdom, indeed!

Posted by: Jule [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 29, 2009 12:30 AM

beatiful, really, very fitting, open minds....
thank you so much, and also, for accepting be my friend. I appreciate so much.
love and peace,
gloria

Posted by: gloria [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 30, 2009 07:54 AM

"There is no spoon..."

Posted by: Rahad Daughtrey [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 16, 2011 12:26 PM

The mind moving? of course, always. But isn't the wind moving the flag?

Posted by: claudio pollero [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 16, 2011 01:51 PM

That Jesus knew a thing or two!

Posted by: Pamela Smith [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 17, 2011 02:21 AM

That Jesus knew a thing or two!

Posted by: Pamela Smith [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 17, 2011 02:21 AM

I've been there done that. Probably still do to a degree...there are things about THE WORLD that I still feel are totally freaking criminal and insane. Is that a judgement? I don't know. However I'm now better at accepting this duality we live in, as it is. Very low expectation these days. Good one Mitch

Posted by: Tara Liz Driscoll [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 22, 2017 03:18 AM

thank you so much, and also, for accepting be my friend. I appreciate so much.

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Posted by: Choi Minzi [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 8, 2018 09:36 AM

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Welcome to Mitch Ditkoff's blog about what's really important in this life: Peace, gratitude, love, joy, clarity, and the effort required to wake up and smell the roses. Enjoy!

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