The End of the Beginning: Continuation

It's "Christmas Eve". This means that there are only six days left to this year... along with the first decade of the 21st century. There will be an ending... followed by a new beginning. If I could sum up what I’ve learned over the past decade in one sentence, I would put it like this: The time to contemplate the ending is before the ending. 

We cannot do without limits and endings. They bring definition to our endeavors, but if we are to use them to our advantage, we have to plan how to meet them. This requires bringing to completion whatever one gets started on; something that the Japanese are particularly good at. That alone is discipline and wisdom enough. If you can follow that rule, you will be ‘superior’ to most people. 

Last night I had the privilege of attending a Japanese End of the Year Party along with fifty of my co-workers at a traditional onsen. Aside from celebrating the end of a successful year for our school and reinforcing our inter-personal relationships, the main purpose of the party was to simply “let go” (cleanse our minds and emotions) and forget about the past in order to “empty the glass” for the new year – the new beginning.

There is much wisdom in applying this custom into one’s life routine. When you come to the end of a cycle, a new one will begin. It could be said that completion actually begins somewhere in the middle of a cycle and that new beginnings are engendered out of previous actions. Completing a cycle means fulfillment. It means that you have achieved self-knowledge, discipline, and a new way of understanding yourself and the world around you. You cannot stop there, of course. New horizons are always there... but you can reach out for those new vistas with fresh assurance and wisdom. 

Put differently, that is to say that with each turn of the wheel you go further. With each turn of the wheel you free yourself from the mire of ignorance. With each turn of the wheel comes continuation. In this respect, once you allow the flow of life to “turn your wheel”, you are able to come full circle – making a complete revolution. Thus, it’s important to celebrate every turning joyfully, but the momentum should not be obstructed. Movement must be preserved in order to prevent stagnation and ensure that the purity of the next cycle is ensured – continuation.

During this Holiday season people all over the world are celebrating in their own respective way(s). While some are celebrating Christmas, others are celebrating Hanukah; some are celebrating the official beginning of winter, while others are busy celebrating the end of the year and decade. Regardless of what the label may be, I believe it’s important to remember that one shouldn’t have to wait until the “Holiday Season” to be joyful and merry. Every day should be a celebration.

What I mean to say is that when all is said and done, at its simplest, life begins with dawn. THAT is blessing enough. THAT is happiness enough. All else becomes secondary. We may think mornings are so common that they are unworthy of veneration, but do you realize that most places in the cosmos do not have mornings? This daily event is our supreme goodness. THAT is your miracle to witness; the ultimate beauty; the ultimate sacredness. THAT is your gift from heaven; your omen of prophesy. THAT alone is knowledge and proof that life is not futile. THAT is enlightenment. THAT is your meaning in life; your directive, your comfort. THAT is inspiration for compassion; the light of the ultimate.

Protect your sense of wonder above all else; the way your life will continue to unfold is directly proportional to it. EVOLVE by growing young.

I end this post with a question that is (or at least should be) well-known to most of us… though it seems very few have actually gone one step further to try to answer: 
"To be or not to be? - THAT is the question."

You see… the best things in life are those that are available to everyone on a moment-to-moment-basis. Yet sadly, most individuals fail to see this; thus allowing their concerns and sufferings encapsulate their state of being into one of disappointment, pain, and dissatisfaction. It’s a vicious cycle, but there are ways of stepping out of it. All that is needed is becoming aware of your immediate nowness. 

Take small steps; start with your breath. 

In & out. 

Slowly, without thinking; simply be aware. 

Repeat. 

Continue.

Be.

It’s all here. There’s nowhere "else" to GO. You’re already here. Prison or palace? Your call alone.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all wherever on Earth you may be!

Direct your eye right inward, and you’ll find a thousand regions in your mind yet undiscovered. Travel them and be expert in home-cosmography.

THOREAU, (Walden)