Chinese New Year is usually a time for new clothes, new things, and new resolutions. I suggest that these are really not that important or essential. In fact, they can be a distraction.
Without a new heart, there is no new life. Without new life, there is no new year. No matter how much we decorate ourselves and our environments. Cosmetics are at best skin deep. New resolutions remain nothing but repetitions of the past, the old, the decayed. Past baggage repackaged as “new.” They bring not new life but more of the same—angst and anguish.
A new heart is crucial for new life. Not just for the new year but for each and every new moment. A new heart is one that sees deeply into the heart of reality; feels deeply the interbeing of all creation; emanates seamlessly loving compassion, gentleness, peace, joy, quietness, and inner strength. A new heart abides in natural great peace and exudes natural great compassion.
For a new heart to be possible, we need an awakening of faith and wisdom. For awakening to be possible, we need diligent practice from moment to moment like an unceasing river. Diligent practice moment by moment is suffused with great conviction, great vow, great determination, great wonderment, and great humility. Practice is awakening, without ceasing.
New Year? For this to be possible, let’s start with this moment. How are you stopping, seeing, recognising, realising, abiding, responding, expressing and manifesting this moment? Awareness and love, mindfulness and insight, kindness and compassion—these are indispensable for new life in each new moment, new day, and new year. Stop and look deeply. Be here now, together.
Credit: Plum Village.
