You Vow To Do What!!!

The word "vow" can cause many people to break out in hives! Itching and scratching yet? However in Eastern tradition the word "vow" implies consenting action. A vow is also made with sovereignty and freedom, not under coercion, threats, or violence. In the West we also tend to think of vows in connection to our relationships, specifically the vow of marriage, where faith is placed in a human being. 

There are Four Vows of an Awakened Being or also known as Four Bodhisattva* Vows, where one's faith is placed not in a vacillating human being but in the sustainability of goodness (my translation). In any situation, no matter how difficult, we can respond mindfully with kindness. This doesn't mean we are stepped on like a doormat. No way! Allowing oneself to be stepped on like a door mat goes against our first and highest ideal--loving kindness! And, if we're not in good working order, love and compassion cannot be extended or sustained. We studied and sang the Four Bodhisattva Vows at the most recent Summer Retreat 2017. They matched perfectly our retreat theme of, "consent."  In our study, we discovered Thich Nhat Hanh's fresh translation of the Four Bodhisattva* Vows:  

The awakened way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it.

• However innumerable beings are, I vow to meet them with kindness and interest.

• However inexhaustible the states of suffering are, I vow to touch them with patience and love.

• However immeasurable the Dharmas** are, I vow to explore them deeply.

• However incomparable the mystery of interbeing***, I vow to surrender to it freely.

–Thich Nhat Hanh

The Four Vows consent to actively be a source of kindness, peace, compassion to everyone, including ourselves. All suffering stops with us, all happiness begins with us. In these end days of summer may we consent to be happy, healthy and strong, safe and protected, free from inner and outer harm, may we live in the world with ease and grace.  


 *    Awakened Being
**   Spiritual teachings (and the practice of them in our lives)
***  Interconnection with each other and all things