Transcendent Joyful E ort

its best attempts to ignore the fact) they’re going to experience the fate of all waves. It will take a while before we truly feel that we’re the ocean. At this point it’s not easy for us to truly face the fact that there’s no “I,” no substantial body, nothing to hang onto—it’s actually quite terrifying. We don’t walk around in big boots like that one scientist did, fearing his insubstantial body would fall through the floor. But we have other ways of reassuring ourselves that we’re “real” (in the solid, constant form that we think we are). How many of us aren’t afraid of dying? Isn’t dying the ultimate version of Facing Into Reality? Again, we have to approach that one gradually...yet steadily. Of course, we’d like to be comfortable with this one before we have to die and experience it full force.

You’ve probably noticed by now that I really focus on the “joyful” part of the e ort because then I’ll be more likely to make the e ort! If we expect to feel good as a result of our e orts, it makes those e orts feel like part of the whole happy experience.

When I was growing up, I remember noticing that the best part of Passover was working in the kitchen with my mother and sister, preparing all the yummy foods for the feast, setting the table just so, and dressing up. In the same spirit, I’ve made a beautiful place for my practice, with everything arranged just so, having gathered this or that little treasure over the years. I put on my prayer shawl and settle into a beautiful, profound experience (well, in between distractions). As I’ve said, the mind works largely through association. Over time, I’ve had many profound, beautiful, and powerful experiences in that place, doing those practices. All of this contributes to the “joyful” part of the e ort. So I suggest you, too, keep your eye toward the joyful part of the e ort, always remembering that one joyful part is the true happiness that comes from the fruits of that e ort. The other truly can be the journey. After all, the practice isn’t the enlightenment, but we can enjoy the practice.

As for the “E ort” part, you can see why this one is on the list of necessary qualities on the path. Without it, we simply have another non-starter. But isn’t that true with anything worthwhile? The great master Jigmey Lingpa likened the pursuit of the Dharma without Joyful E ort to a boat with no oars. Dead in the water. Or helplessly carried around by the water.