Autumn has arrived here in Hokkaido. Leaves are starting to fall, colors are changing, fruits are being harvested, hay is being made, and the last spurt of insects are seen. The energy of life is enjoyed to its fullest as the winds of north slowly cools everything down to slumber.
As I was sitting under the shade to have a break from cutting firewood, I focused my attention to a birch tree. During this season, the birch tree is slowly letting go of its leaves to prepare for the long nap during the winter. Sitting there, looking at the falling leaves, I felt an insight on life! Actually, the timing of this insight couldn't have been any better because for the past week, I have been struggling through some turbulences within me- Attachments.
When we say attachments, there must always be more than one object. The one attaching itself and the one being attached to. In this instance I was the one attaching myself to different people and this caused me to steer away from who I really am. I was continuously forcing changes within my perspective and goals to fit the preferences of other people.
When one is attaching to something or someone, only the ego is being fed. The ego grows stronger as you allow attachments to take control of your life. Attachments to material is one of the largest feed of the ego. We attach ourselves to the notion that materials will bring completeness to us even if we already have enough of what we need. We attach ourselves to people who we think will make us happy when in fact, happiness is already within us, presently available. We attach ourselves to a certain belief or doctrine and we cause conflicts with people with other beliefs or even with people with the same belief. In worst cases, when attachment to belief or doctrine has become too formidable, people can cause a lot of suffering and pains.
If attachment causes lots of suffering and pain, then how can we love someone or our partner? Attachment and love are never found together. True love does not seek attachment because it does not seek happiness or completeness from the outside. True love is aware of the connectedness of everything and since all is connected there is no need to be attached to a single object. Though I am aware of this, since I still have an ego, I forget and sometimes catch myself slowly attaching to people and notions. That is why, it is important to learn to stop doing anything when these feelings arise. Stop and sit, drink tea, breathe. Just like a storm, this too shall pass. When a storm or typhoon arrives, we do not go out to the typhoon and shout at it. We do not go in rage against the typhoon. What we can only do is to wait for it to pass and enjoy the clear sky after the typhoon.
Just like the leaf of the birch tree, it is now the time to let go, so it lets go. The birch tree also lets go. Both knows that it is time. This is not separation. Both knows that the leaf will decompose back into the soil and one day be the leaf again. The leaf may even end up as the rain that will moisten the dry soil of the forest. No matter the physical form, the leaf and the birch is connected. This is true love. So when the time arrives, let go. Gracefully let go of attachments. Be happy that you can let go! Only through letting go of leaves can new buds emerge! Be humble and let go of the things you know and admit that you do not know. Only through a blank canvas can a magnificent image be painted.
Truly love people, animals, plants, and minerals for they are us and we are them.
Sleeping Birch Trees in Winter
