Disengagement

Wearily I open my prayer book,

Sepia photograph of sage on amber page,

Flaming raven Sanskrit, strange syllables,

Intone, chant, repeat.

Number vows with beads:

Every resolution is inspiration petrified.

There are some days when one is disengaged from Tao, not interested in devotion,  and everything just becomes an empty form.

Gone are spiritual bliss, deep insight,  and integration with the rhythm of the universe. Instead, there is duty, form, and  stiff discipline.

One can try to remember the reasons for one’s quest, think of the  achievements of the past, reaffirm one’s goals, and still not be inspired to do one’s  practice.

What do you do?

Every once in a while, it is permissible to skip things for a day.

If you are angry,  under great stress, or ill, then it is best simply to rest. But if one has made vows, if  it is only a matter of laziness or indifference, then you must exert your discipline  and practice even if it means that you are just going through the motions.

In at  least half the cases, something significant will happen. The rest of the time, going  through your forms is in itself a good practice.

It builds a tremendous momentum  that will manifest itself in later times.