I look for variety in my reading, it suits my A.D.D. better.  I just finished a short book I really liked called Zen: A Simple Path to More Happiness, More Tranquility, and Less Problems, by Andrew Daley.  However, Daley also wrote a book called, “Control Your Brain Like a Puppet,” so I’m not so sure about him.  I’m more concerned with my brain controlling the rest of me like a puppet, so give me a book on that, Daley. While Buddhism is attractive on many levels, I am not tempted by Buddhism as a religion, as I don’t really get the point.  But I very much am attracted to it as a life philosophy.  I mean heck, who doesn’t want more happiness, more tranquility and less problems? I liked the book so much I decided to read the classic Tao Te Ching.  They are both easy reads, but to internalize what they are saying you have to take your time to absorb the meaning, and for the western mind, probably reread it over a few times, as it is a different paradigm to wrap our mind around.

But a healthy dose of Zen may be what we all need in this day of stay-at-home and social isolation.  Zen is about simplicity, about transcending your circumstances, about living in the present, about mindfulness and intentionality. Zen is simple, optimistic, positive in it approach, and calmness and tranquility are supreme values.  Zen tells us to slow down, to be patient, to see and hear the now, to practice “presence.”  Zen flourishes in a decluttered life, which is what got me interested in it to begin with, I read that book on decluttering your space.  It is organized and disciplined, but relies on trusting your feelings in an experience.  Ego takes a back seat, in fact its kicked out of the car, and humility is an obligatory virtue.  Of course meditation, or prayer if you prefer, is a key tool in one’s Zen toolbox.  Moderation is important in the balance of Zen, as extremes from both polarities are its enemy.  That appeals to the moderate in me.  Zen is about experiences and not possession, it is about transcending and that is not acquiescing, about controlling what you can control, and that is always and often only your reactions to your circumstances.

Come to think of it, Jesus message would be at home with Zen philosophy.  His teaching, preaching, and examples are textbook mindfulness in action. Jesus’ concept of the coming Kingdom of God would not be out of place at a Buddhist prayer, uh meditation meeting. His teachings are in alignment with everything that I have said about Zen this morning, and if you don’t think so, read about his life and work in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with those filters in place. Look for it.

So why all the Zen talk?  I am more present focused that at any point in my life, especially since I have more past behind me than future ahead of me, and my goals are greatly simplified to basically be as healthy as I can be, to invest in my family, and to be the best version of myself I can be.  I want to slow my life down.  Now you say, come on Stan, you’re retired, you are slow enough buddy.  Where is that “type A” approach to life that used to assert itself on occasion?  By slowing down, I mean I want to get the most out of today, by being present in every simple thing, and find joy in every minute of the day.  There can be no better day for me than today, I refuse to mark time of to look forward to something better in the future.

Regardless of what some have said, Jesus was not about pie-in-the-sky-by-and by, but was all about living in the present.  Jesus tells us to be “ready” at all times.  Ready for what?   His second coming?  I don’t think so.  That would have been a monumental waste of time for every Christian for the last 2,000 years. I believe his missions had more immediacy and urgency, they were about being ready for the Kingdom of God. 

Kingdom readiness involves being open to change and to see things in a whole new way, and it involves in reevaluating your values – taking a hard look at what, who, and where your treasure is.  Because the truth is, our treasure is in the wrong place to the extent that we might not recognize Jesus or his Kingdom if it hit us right in the face.  His kingdom requires a spiritual decluttering, it involves an ethic that is radically different form the kingdoms of this world.  It is a new way of seeing things and doing life, and for most it is as foreign as trying to learn the Chinese language.  But we begin to declutter by discovering where our treasure is. 

Jesus was all about lessons in stewardship and God’s economy.  Isn’t it funny that there are hundreds of verses on money, stewardship, alms, helping the poor, the dangers of wealth and only six verses that even mention homosexuality, just a scant few that mention hell, but look at what gets the most talk in some Christian circles? 

Jesus preached about accountability in the Kingdom of God, and his point was that we should live an examined, responsible life. Live like today is your last.  Make every decision like big brother is watching, or the boss is about to catch you, and spend every nickel like you are in an IRS audit.  We are accountable to our planet, to other humans, to God. It is about the kingdom ethic, which is not business as usual, it is nothing like the values of the kingdoms of this world.  It is God’s economy.

So what is God’s economy? In this sense it is used as God’s way of doing things, and it is obviously nothing like our economy or even the economy of the modern church.  It really is about taking care of widows and orphans, it is about giving to the poor, it is about service and servanthood, it is about realigning your priorities. You see, God’s economy is upside down, and that is why we must be ready to not miss it. 

If you want more happiness, more tranquility, and less problems, learn to be mindful, not only of ourselves, but of others and of what God’s kingdom is really all about.  You might just find that peace of God that is beyond explanation, beyond comprehension, beyond logic ruling your hearts and minds.  Because even in this day of social isolation, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you are not alone.