Thursday, June 24, 2010

Do-o-Raku

     Do-o is the Japanese equivalent of the Chinese word Tao, the order of nature.  Raku means "enjoyment".  To enjoy Tao (to live with appreciation all the time, wherever we are) is Do-o-Raku.  When we are aware of nature's impartial and absolute justice, we know there is nothing to worry about.  In Lin Chi's words: "At one stroke I forgot all my knowledge!  There's no need for any discipline; for, move as I will, I always manifest the Tao!"  When we see this, we can begin to enjoy our lives fully, by distributing infinite joy and thankfulness to everyone we meet.
     Interestingly, Do-o-Raku also means "hobby".  So we can say that Do-o-Raku means to live our life as a hobby - which is what it is!  Anything we do is a game.  It does not matter if we "fail" or "succeed".  Such an understanding is Nirvana - eternal peace.  In the words of Paramahansa Yogananda: "Do not take life's experiences too seriously . . . for in reality they are nothing but dream experiences.  Play your part in life, but never forget that it is only a role."
     To live in perpetual ecstatic delight is Do-o-Raku.  Those who do so are called Do-o-Raku-Mono.  If you are Do-o-Raku-Mono, you are Macrobiotic, whatever you eat.

from Macrobiotics: An Invitation To Health And Happiness, by George Ohsawa