Re: That bird has my wings

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 02/02/2000 7:00:19 PM Atlantic Standard Time,

IonaDove@... writes:

> Anyway, I read his wonderful bk THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING. In

> is a practice that is mind-boggling. How to suffer pain:

> Accept it willingly, suffer it, and make that very pain a conscious

offering

> on your part to diminish the pain of others!

This reminded me of another very beautiful meditation, Tonglen, a Tibetan

practice that involves breathing in the pain of the world, of others,

transforming it and breathing out love. Pema Chodron, a Tibetan nun, teaches

this in her books, Start Where You Are, and When Things Fall Apart. I did

two retreats with her last summer and can't remember when I last found myself

with such a down to earth, funny and sacred presence. She told us the

following story about her friend Jarvis which I will never forget. It entered

my being like a jolt of lightening.

Jarvis is a friend of Pema's, also a Tibetan Buddhist, who has been on death

row in a California. prison for 15 years. In addition to his meditation

practice Jarvis is allowed to go out in the yard everyday for an hour of

exercise. For months now he has been finding great joy in observing a small

bird bathing itself in a puddle. One day another inmate with the nickname of

" Insane " is also out in the yard. He sees the bird and picks up a rock and

turning to Jarvis, says, " Jarvis I'm going to kill that fucking bird. "

Not knowing what to do but feeling his heart drop, Jarvis grabs " Insane " by

the arm to stop him from throwing the rock. " Insane " who apparently has

earned his nickname, becomes absolutely enraged. He starts swearing at Jarvis

at the top of his lungs and is screaming, " I'm going to fucking kill you "

Other prisoners in the yard started to gather round the way prisoners do when

a fight is about to break out and the guards in the tower readied their guns

in case they had to shoot. The tension in the yard filed everyone with

apprehension. Just as Insane was moving toward Jarvis to hit him, Jarvis

stopped, took a deep breath, and said to him:

" Insane, you can't kill that bird, that bird has got my wings. "

Insane stopped and thought about that for a minute and then slowly a smile

appeared on his face and then he burst out laughing....soon everybody in the

yard was doubled over with laughter, not even knowing why and Jarvis and

Insane have been the best of friends ever since.

When Pema asked Jarvis what he meant when he said " That bird has got my

wings " Jarvis explained that he focused his awareness on Insane for just a

moment as he was moving toward him in rage and breathed in that anger and the

underlying pain and that was what came out with the out breath...and for a

moment " Insane " felt that somebody saw and understood him.

That's a wonderful example of Tonglen in action. Tonglen has the power to

break the chain of expected responses and instead of reacting to anger with

anger it opens the possibility of a different response. The potential is

huge!

Greetings from Western Massachusetts on this lovely cold Groundhog's day.

Metta,

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

I loved this story...

And to the two super-elders on the list: you inspire, you touch, you amuse.

Thanks.

love,

phoebe

[Guest guest]

Thank you for this tale.

Sometimes need my head read!

m