Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Ordinarily, we equate diligence with a lot of effort. On the one hand, there’s a sense of physical or mental sweat. On the other, there’s a sense of being a good, industrious boy or girl – we’re working hard toward a goal and not letting up. But being diligent on our spiritual path does not mean that we’re meditating for hours, vacuuming the shrine room, and serving meals at a homeless shelter all in one day. Transcendent diligence means that we take whatever opportunities we have to practice, and we do those practices with a sense of appreciation and delight. In this sense, diligence is energy, the power that makes everything happen. It’s like the wind, a driving force that keeps us moving along the path. Where does this energy come from? It comes from the enjoyment and satisfaction we experience as we get further into our path.

The primary obstacle to diligence is, of course, laziness – the absence of energy. One problem with laziness is that it takes up so much time. Think how much time taking it easy or spacing out requires. The problem with activities like going to the beach or hanging out is not that they’re negative; it’s our attachment to them. I’m sure more people go to the ‘beach’ that’s a state of mind than to all the resorts in Mexico.’ (Rebel Buddha)

Another passage I came across while researching for my recent words to the Hebden Bridge group, which I have now posted – it is a bit waffly, but I think I I got across what I wanted to say.