Tulsa Yoga Meditation Center, 5319 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74145
  • HOME
  • TEACHERS
  • Blog
  • PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
  • YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
  • REIKI

HOW TO BE A 'SUCCESSFUL' MEDITATOR: A LESSON FROM ZEN MASTER HARADA TANGEN

3/25/2018

 
One of the great modern Japanese Zen masters was Harada Tangen (1924-2018) who died this week at the age of 93.  He viewed his life as a miracle and the result of his mother's total dedication.  When she was pregnant with Harada, she was advised to abort because there were complications about pregnancy and delivery, problems which would likely cost her life.  She refused an abortion, gave birth and died shortly after birth.  Harada felt his lived because of his mother's protection and ultimate sacrifice.

Teaching for years and decades when Zen was not popular in Japan, Harada persisted and drew faithful crowds not only from Japan but worldwide.  In one of his teachings on the importance of consistency in meditation, he shared this personal insight. His wisdom is worthy of further reflection.

It (meditation) was always easy for me. I struggled mightily, as you struggle. But I stuck with the practice — the one single way of practice — and made no excuses for myself. I did not allow my practice to fade out in feelings of discouragement. There were hard times.  But I stayed with the practice, no matter what. And this is what each one of you must do. Even times when I thought I was not going to live through it. There were times when I could not breathe, times when all went dark before my eyes, times when I thought I was going to pass out. But even then I refused to give in to my old self-centered patterns of behavior. I did not try to adjust the practice to do it my way. I stuck with the simple practice that was given to me.

I cannot stress enough to you the absolute importance of sticking to your practice no matter what. No adjustment is required; no calculation is needed. I went through the same thing that you are going through now, so I can tell you from personal experience what you must do. You must give your life to this, and refuse to let anything — any thoughts, ideas, attitudes — get in your way. Your ‘yes’ must be open. Your resolve must be like steel. 


Comments are closed.

    Victor M. Parachin ...is a

    Vedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. 

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.