Bodhicitta, commonly translated as “the mind of awakening” or “the longing for enlightenment for the benefit of all beings”, It is the nucleus and engine of the path of bodhisattva in it Buddhism Mahayana. It is the deep and altruistic commitment to dedicate one's life to relieve suffering and cultivate awakening not only for oneself, but for all sensory beings. In a world that rewards immediacy and rapid results, Keeping motivation alive to practice a path like Zen requires patient and sustained dedication.
We live in a society marked by accelerated rhythm and instant gratification. Social networks, The technology and culture of consumption have conditioned our minds to desire immediate results in all areas of our life, even in aspects as deep as our spiritual practice. The Soto Zen tradition invites us to counteract this impulse, adopting an attitude of "spiritual slow food", that is to say, A careful and sustained crop of practice, where the important thing is not to get quickly to a goal, but deepen every step of the road.
Bodhicitta is not just a moment of inspiration, but a constant decision that needs to be renewed daily. Avoiding an attitude of horse and donkey stop ", It resembles rather to take care of a plant that requires water, Continuous light and care. In the same way, Our practice must be fed by a motivation that does not falter before the challenges or the lack of immediate results.
The Soto Zen tradition teaches us that practice is not a means to achieve an end, but the end in itself. In this sense, zazen (seated meditation) becomes a living expression of the Bodhicitta. Sit in silence, Breathe and simply be may seem, From the perspective of the conditioned mind, A loss of time. But in reality, It is at that time "empty" where we learn to detach ourselves from the need for results, allowing our bodhicitta to bloom naturally.
Zen's practice is the art of stopping, to break the obsession of "doing" to simply "be". This apparent simplicity is deeply transformer because it puts us in contact with our true nature. From this state of full presence, The Bodhicitta is cultivated effortlessly, as a flame that burns gently but incessantly.
The bodhicitta can be compared to a river that flows to the ocean of lighting: Although the ocean seems distant, The river never stops advancing. The commitment does not depend on the proximity of the goal, but of the constancy on the journey. Maintaining this motivation requires conscious effort, Persevering practice. It is easy for the difficulties of everyday life or the moments of discouragement to erosion our commitment. That's why, in it Buddhism Mahayana Specific practices are used to renew the bodhicitta, how to recite the votes of bodhisattva o take refuge In the Buddha, he dharma and the Sangha.
In the practice of Zen, every moment of zazen can become an act of renewal. When sitting on the cushion, We remember that our practice is not just for us, but for all beings. This simple gesture reinforces our connection with the bodhicitta and helps us maintain motivation over time.
Another crucial aspect to keep the bodhicitta alive is patience. The path of bodhisattva It is not a sprint, but a marathon. A commitment to a vital attitude in which we do not seek to achieve egotic objectives. This perspective, Far from being discouraging, It frees us from the "arriving" pressure and allows us to savor every stage of the road. Patience is not passivity, but an active disposition to face challenges with serenity and trust.
The bodhicitta is the throbbing heart of the road bodhisattva, A flame that guides us even in the darkest moments. In a world that pushes us to look for quick results, The Soto Zen tradition offers us an alternative: A path of constancy, patience and dedication. By adopting practice as an end in itself, We learn to value the process more than the result, And we allow our bodhicitta to grow naturally and sustained.
Every day it becomes an opportunity to renew our commitment and advance, step by step, On the path of awakening. In the words of the ancient Zen teachers, "Every day is a good day" and also "practice as if your hair were in flames": urgently, Yeah, but also with the calm of who knows that true change occurs slowly, like the fire that transforms wood into ashes, leisurely, But without pause.
