In the course
of my teaching, over many years, and many different courses and curricula,
there are some ideas and concepts which meander through the various discussions
and dialogs. Often I think that I really am teaching the same things in every
class regardless of what department, skills set or academic discipline the
teaching happens to be in.
One idea which
weaves its way through my teaching is one I call “maha leela”. I think that I
don’t necessarily define or describe it as it is traditionally done, but, let’s
not get hung up on technicalities…it is a metaphor, after all.
Maha in hindi
means “great, like mahatma, great soul, maharaji, great king. Leela translates
as “game, or sport or play”, like the plays the thing and we’re all actors. And
so, this great play we call life is a dream of the gods. Our lives are
creations of the gods and we are here to entertain in this great play we call
life. And, the gods are really enjoying themselves, laughing their asses off
really, because they have created the play, put us into it as actors, but, have
not told us what our roles nor what our dialog should be. So we are all just
bumping into one another trying to figure out role and script. What all and any
of us have to figure it out is improvisation. Improvisation…LIFE IS ONE LONG
IMPROVISATION. There are a number of spiritual teachings which come from this:
like compassion and devotion to the gods. We need compassion for ourselves and
compassion for each other because the other humans are having as much trouble
figuring out as you are, I am.
Devotion to
the gods…. If we practice our meditation and service our roles and dialog
should become clear. I have thought long, deep and hard about this as I have
exposed myself and others to the concept. Until last night, I thought the gods
must be pretty cruel to put us into this predicament. Laughing at us and
exploiting our naivete. I had a realization…we
should be thankful for the opportunity and ability to improvise. What a gift!!
In our gratitude we should practice it as much as we possibly can. Must not get
stuck in the mud of permanence but remember that all is impermanent and as such
we must always reach for a more compassionate relationship with others and a
greater understanding of the need and beauty of improvisation. Beware the
dogmatist, beware the fundamentalist. All structures, forms and practices must
be open to improvisation and imagination to be vibrant and open to change.
And now for
something completely different…
It is getting
chilly out there! Into the 20’s last night and looking like 20’s and 30’s for
the foreseeable future. But, Ozzy and I are dedicated to the van and to
teaching at the university through January. (I love my students this semester.
One of the nicest group of first year students I can ever remember having. I am
teaching a lot, because they need to learn a lot, but, they are bright eyed
facing me, showing up, doing the work and making the attempt to become more
thoughtful and understanding of academics and their lives.) I will teach
through this semester and then through Winterim, the January term, after which
I will get back on the road. Arizona has popped up in several conversations
lately and that may be my destination, don’t know.
Ozzy had a bit
of a hard time a couple of weeks ago and needed to be on prednisone. That in
addition to the full moon, lunar eclipse and howling and barking all night of
the coyotes, he was not himself. He wanted to be a wild dog, but I wouldn’t let
him. All is better and I continue to just be so grateful for us finding each
other. He’s such a good dog!
I had about a
dozen people request post cards from me. If you’re interested, send me your
snail mail address.
