When things first began we can imagine there were no rules.
No regulations or propositions to abide by or strangle on.
The novice in spiritual practice of any kind tends to gravitate
towards the rules. There is such a desire to be "right" when we first
begin to get a whiff of spiritual truth. We want it be to "right" and
singular making us right and singular. It's how we act, sometimes
for a long time and perhaps even still after so many years.
We exclude all kinds of things and all kinds of sentient beings.
We exclude out of ignorance, we just don't know to set out an extra plate,
offer what what we have to offer.
We may be stingy or avoid. We may do it in silence. It still is a cause
that has an effect, even if it is done in silence.
Prohibition leaks out in a gesture, in not making room for someone
or holding concrete ideas. We roll our eyes, maybe behind someone's back,
yet it is still felt.
Our actions out of ignorance are effecting everything we do. We make lots of blunders.
It's a strong medicine. Blunders compel us to wake up and set out another chair and greet
what and who knocks on the door. Don't be squeamish. Don't put up signs in
the mind like, 'NOT in MY backyard!!!!!' These signs often look
like "I CAN'T STAND IT." Followed by rational, logical statements that support
the separation and exclusion.
Set out another chair. Welcome, be curious about everything and everyone that comes to the door.
Offer what you have to offer. This is the action that purifies the mind of ignorance.
