There is no doubt, after many years of this work, that return to the fundament – the foundation, is the return to kindergarten, both in sense of working on things – especially emotions – neglected since then in the struggle of growing, becoming serious and mature, also “fixing” consequences of abuse and neglect from childhood, but most of all, rediscovering learning through play, learning that comes natural when we become lighter, when we step out of our own way, when we drop out of “usefulness”, obligation, duty modality. Just as “negative” experiences shaped over the years misadaptive patterns of being, and rigid, defensive structures so even the fleeting lightness of being and temporary relief builds positive patterns. So do not disregard playfulness, sometimes scorned as recreational use, do not divide things into sacred and profane any more than the child does, meditate with your mantra, but dance to El Pulpo Cocinero like your healing depends on it. Because it does.
“It is possible for us to discover
our own innocence and childlike beauty.
Discovering the innocent, childlike quality in us
does not mean being reduced to a child.
Rather, we become fresh, inquisitive, sparkling.
We want to know more about the world,
more about life.
When our preconceptions are stripped away,
we begin to realize ourselves—
it is like a second birth.
We discover our innocence,
our primordial quality,
our eternal youth.”
— Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
“Do not work for freedom,
rather allow the practice itself
to be liberation.”
⠀
~ Dōgen Zenji