As I write this, it is raining, again. We have had more rain this summer than in many years’ memory. We have complained about it, but the reality is that the earth has never been greener in this part of the land, and our streams and rivers, dangerously low only a few years ago due to drought, are full. Sometimes, our complaints are about convenience while, truth be told, the momentary inconvenient thing really is what restores, refreshes and renews our lives.
Buddhist teaching says that a thing comes into being when all the conditions are right. The conditions are right for rain. The conditions are right for heavy, green vegetation. The conditions are right for cooler air, less air-conditioning, lower electric bills, less use of fossil fuels to cool our buildings. For today, the conditions are right for all of this. In many ways, while I stop to ponder it, this rain is restorative and holds within it and its network of connections, the possibility of renewal.
We might try, for today, to consider each thing that happens–at least those things that demand our attention. We might try considering how all the conditions have been preparing us for this. We might look to see what seeds of change, transformation and renewal are wrapped up in what happens today. Just for today.
Bob Patrick
Your words about the rain this summer are perfect. I have tried hard to not complain about the rain and find myself wishing others would as well.
One thing I wonder about though with this metaphor; the rain has brought growth and beauty for some; yet for others great hardship and troubles. So the renewal that comes may not be through inconvenience but through great strife.
For me though the rain has been just that, an inconvenience, (I try to appreciate – where is my darn raincoat?) or a joy (I am able to appreciate – singing in the rain anyone?) in that moment. Then let’s see if I can remember that moment for when my non-metaphorical drama and trauma happens and look for the opportunity for growth and understanding and Renewal.
For those that are suffering through this rain as a trauma or hardship, I pray that they too will receive the restoration and renewal frequently offered up by our planet and communities. I hope that they see it.