With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Of late, as you know, I have not been writing much. Partly its because I have been very busy reading among other things. Study is one of the key elements, I believe, of a life worth living. It is one of the Three Pillars of Judaism and of Buddhism, indeed, all religion. We study in order to learn, but most importantly, to get closer to the Infinite or to discover ways to get closer. In Zen, as we study it is said that our self drops away. So, too, in Judaism.
According to Rabbi Eli J. Mansour, writing for Daily Halakah,
"Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam (vol. 8, p. 389 and onward), presents a number of measures that help ensure that a person remembers the Torah he studies. First, he emphasizes the importance of studying specifically in a synagogue of Bet Midrash (study hall). The Talmud Yerushalmi establishes that a person who regularly learns Torah in a synagogue or study hall will not likely forget the material.
Secondly, Torah study should be performed "Be'sin'a," in a modest, private manner, rather than be made into a showy spectacle. The verse in the Book of Mishle (11:2) states, "Ve'et Senu'im Hochma" - "Wisdom is with the humble." Acquiring and retaining knowledge thus requires studying in a modest manner, without seeking public recognition.
Hacham Ovadia further mentions in this context the importance of studying Torah in an audible voice, rather than learning silently. This, too, helps ensure that the information will be retained and not forgotten."
This audible voice, is much like the voice used in reciting/studying sutras. We are talking about a form of meditation using text. We recite or chant and as we do, our "self" drops away and "we" integrate entirely with the material in the moment.
When that self drops away, then what?
Master Dogen teaches that we are then enlightened by the myriad things (see Genjokoan,
link) .
As our "self", our "ego", drops away we are then open to be taught by everything. But this is only one way of understanding the process. Another is that we as student join other as teacher and become the One we all are. Thich Nhat Hahn often refers to this as "inter-are" or "Interbeing". It is an essential extrapolation of Father Merton's "No Man is an Island".
So?
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner says it this way, "If spiritual awareness is being, then what do you do once you have reached such holiness? If living in this world is doing, then how shall you be while you are doing? You must sanctify the deed with the spirit and embody the spirit with the deed." (Honey From the Rock, p.43).
Buddhist Masters such as today's Dalai Lama exemplify this. But it doesn't take a Dalai Lama. People who study, pray, and do acts of loving-kindness have this potential. We all have this potential. When thought, feeling, behavior, spirit, and environment are synchronous, then there we are. Reaching holiness is reaching selflessness. Reaching holiness is reaching oneness. Doing and being are one, not two. Become the holiness you are...or said differently, become the buddha you are.
Be well.
