Diamond Mike Watson's Blog

Your Truth May Not Be Another’s Truth

I joined another large Facebook group. I learned the bigger the group the bigger the lion’s den. Sometimes I feel vulnerable, thinking a lion might attack me at any moment.

I shared my Living Promises, which are brief guidelines to fully live our potential, which include joy, thankfulness, and forgiveness.

Some agreed. Some were confused. One girl said I seemed a little creepy. If I were nine years old I’m sure that comment would have hurt. Fortunately, as I continued reading the comments one lady said she only forgave those who earned her forgiveness. When I questioned her she said she was abused by her father for twelve years. I felt her pain. She even said that many times she thought about “unaliving” herself.

Then I realized the Living Promises may be only MY secrets of the universe, no one else’s. In order for the words to speak to one’s heart they may need to be rephrased for that person’s life experiences.

After searching for so long, perhaps there is no such thing as Ultimate Truth. We all live in our separate universes. This morning, I more fully understand how one person’s view of joy, thankfulness and forgiveness may be different from another’s view.

What Holy Book Do You Read?

Rather than judging someone by their appearance, it is much more rewarding to find my reflection in others.  From my car window in downtown Los Angeles I saw this unidentified man strolling down the morning street before the city started to bustle.   His blanket contrasted beautifully with the grayness of the old buildings. 

I wondered what was on his mind and if he was   content with his life.  It was easy for me to understand that if I lived this man’s life this might be me!  I also wondered what holy book, if any, might I read. 

A Chair is Made of Non-Chair Elements

It was Thich Nhat Hanh that redirected the path of my thinking many years ago. Until that time, I thought I was quite aware of what a chair was. It must have hit me at a vulnerable moment when Thay said,

A chair is made of non-chair elements.

Drunk with exhilaration, I tried to share my newfound revelation with my family, who I’m sure thought I had gone mad. But from that day on, I could never see a chair the same way again.

Flowers, clouds, and even mountains took on a different perception. As I drove to work the next day I could almost feel the roadside trees winking at me as if they were saying, “Ah, so you understand now.”

Since I have always been fascinated in science, everything seemed to pull together as I understood that everything was inextricably connected.

And if one dares to think deeply enough, like I have, they might discover –

This is this because that is that, and
That is that because this is this.

You were correct, Thay. One thing cannot exist without the other. Thank you for being such an insightful teacher.

Whose Nightmare is This?

I woke from the stabbing pain of shingles. I drearily tilted my neck to see the bottle of aspirin on the table. With large red numbers, the alarm clocked said 1:11AM. The date also glowed with beautiful symmetry- 2/2/22. I had taken two pills before I went to bed. I suppose one more wouldn’t hurt. Carmen was snuggled close.

Many hours later, or so it seemed, it sounded like Carmen was chanting incoherently. I realized she was having a bad dream. I felt sweat trickle down my underarm but I knew that was just an illusion from my sickness. (Shingles is a virus that silently lurks in one’s body after having chickenpox. When it attacks it shows no compassion for the nervous system of its victims.)

Carmen mumbled again, I could tell she was horrified about something.

“Wake up, little girl,” I tried to say. Then I realized I had never uttered that phrase in my life. It comes from a Bible story of Jesus trying to convince a crowd that a child was not dead but only sleeping.

“Wake-up, Carmen.” I tried again, not sure if the words were actually coming out of my mouth. I shoved her gently. “Little girl!”

As my words jolted from my mouth I awakened. I realized it was not Carmen’s nightmare. It was mine! Carmen came into focus breathing peacefully as I paused to catch my breath. She squirmed, grunted, then pulled the sheet tighter around her torso. I hoped I didn’t wake her. How embarrassing that I was trying to be a hero but in real life I was rudely disturbing her peaceful slumber.

Little Grizzly was swirled and snoring contently on the corner of the bed. Santa Ana winds howled eerily as tree branches tapped the windows. I checked my forehead for fever. It felt cool.

The red numbers now said 2:22AM. Only slightly more than an hour had passed. The shingles continued to poke with tiny needles. I was thankful they were never excruciating, as some people experience. It’s more like a knife jab, but the enemy is merciful enough to refrain from twisting it inside the flesh.

I turned to see the bottle of emergency pills. No more drugs or alcohol for me, thank you. I had enough of that when I was a reckless teenager. My poor mother. I lay awake and pretended to be comfortable.

The disease convinced me I was laying on shards of glass. I would not be fooled. I knew the sheets were smooth and cool to the touch. Now it was transforming into an itch. And it was coming from that one small patch in the center of one’s back that no human has ever reached. It is strange how discomfort is transported into our dreams, like when we have to pee.

I curled into a fetal position. For now I was protected. I stared at the red-numbered clock, wondering what would happen at 3:33AM. Perhaps a zafcat would lunge at my back with its saber-like teeth. Or even worse, a dragon.

Carmen looked peaceful. I was happy. In a few hours the morning sun would peek through the curtains. Just a few more hours and I would be safe.

Paradise is here. Paradise is now.

I once went with a friend to see Thich Nhat Hanh when he came to my town. From a distance, I was proud to see the man who had already transformed my life with his teachings.

There are many that have not seen him personally. Fortunately, we are now bestowed with his wise teachings that have been preserved in his writings. Beautiful words never die. They are living things. They have the power to reach inside and transform us.

Thank you Thay, for teaching us there are many paths to understanding. Thank you for being patient with the narrow thoughts of our upbringing. Thank you for loosening the chains of our religions and former concepts. Thank you for not criticizing us, but rather gently leading us to a larger, more beautiful and inclusive paradise that we couldn’t see before.

That paradise has always been within our grasp. It is here. It is now. It has always been here. Thank you for asking us to open our eyes.

A Great Leader Does Not Have to March With a Sword

Perhaps it is once in a lifetime a leader arises amongst us to remind us what is important and to challenge our thinking. Thich Nhat Hanh taught us that a fearless leader does not have to be a powerful warrior. Thay’s power came from something much more effective than a sword and shield. His power came from his patience, compassion, and understanding how the universe is wonderfully woven together as a beautiful, never ending kaleidoscope.

Thich Nhat Hanh did not have to share this understanding. But he did. And he was patient until we understood.

As we share this knowledge that was freely given by Thay, let us also be armed with bravery, compassion and patience as we continue walking.

We are so thankful, Thay, to be your students.

October 11, 1926 – January 22, 2022.

There Are Many Paths to Enlightenment

Many years ago, shortly after becoming a father, I felt the need for my growing family to have spiritual guidance. I was raised in the Protestant faith and my wife was Catholic. We settled on going to a Presbyterian church close by.

I yearned for a universal truth about how we can be the best humans we were intended and that we were on the correct path of fulfilling our purpose. I wanted to discover a noble trail for my family which quickly grew to four.

In a library, I found a book whose cover read, Living Buddha, Living Christ. I remember being stunned how any author could combine those words, thinking the concepts were irreconcilable. It was intriguing enough for me to take home and read with a fresh mind.

Since then, I have basked in the soothing words and understanding of Thich Nhat Hanh. As a deep thinker, I found the beliefs I was taught as a child too small for my longing. Many people search for truth. More than half the world has found their own truth. Sadly, many world religions say theirs offers the only true and correct path.

As I sit in my garden this morning, I have an awakened sense of wonder as I absorb my surroundings. Since I was first introduced to Thich Nhat Hanh I will never again see this small garden rock as a rock, this tree as a tree, this ant as an ant, or even me as me. I now understand that one thing cannot exist without the other. I no longer walk on a tiny patch of ground- I walk on the entire earth. I no longer touch only the wave- I touch all the oceans of the world.

In remembrance of one of my greatest teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh, who continued his new journey of awakening at the age of 95. 1/22/2022.

The Sea of Interbeing

Nearly a decade ago, Thich Nhat Hahn’s simple, yet profound words showed me how everything we see and cannot see is wondrously woven together in a sea of interbeing. I had never given previous thought how a cloud, the rain, a tree, and a simple sheet of paper are dependent on each other. Thay matter-of-factly explained how they cannot exist without one other.

After penetrating the depths of his understanding I could instantly see my reflection in every person I met. Peering deeper, a wider door was opened in which I realized I could also see myself in all things! I remember getting chills as I gazed at a majestic mountain and realized I was the mountain! I understood if the mountain was not there I would not be here. Similarly, if I were not here, the mountain would not be there.

Fortunately it is now easy for me to comprehend that. Perhaps the universe is simply a giant mirror. We are what we see in our hearts.

In remembrance of one of my greatest teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh, who now continues his new journey of awakening. You did not leave. You are here with us.

1/22/2022.

Be Thankful for your Suffering.

Hooray! I survived Covid (actually, being vaccinated I recuperated quickly.) But I got shingles at the same time! I feel somewhat slighted because I couldn’t separate the Covid experience with the other ailment.

I’m not complaining. Soon I will be jumping around. I try to live as I teach and I am thankful for this temporary discomfort. Suffering is not bad but a normal human condition. I hope this goes away soon, but I am glad it has helped me become more compassionate in understanding the pain of others.

I’m not really the outdoors type so even if I were better I would probably not be climbing a mountain. But I do have a nice bed, a pen and pad, and many who love me. So today I will write an award-winning screenplay.

Touching the Universe

Many years ago, shortly after becoming a father, I felt the need for my growing family to have spiritual guidance. I was raised in the Protestant faith and my wife was Catholic. We settled on going to a Presbyterian church close by.

I yearned for a universal truth about how we can be the best humans we were intended and that we were on the correct path of fulfilling our purpose. I wanted to discover a noble trail for my family which quickly grew to four.

In a library, I found a book whose cover read, Living Buddha, Living Christ. I remember being stunned how any author could combine those words, thinking the concepts were irreconcilable. It was intriguing enough for me to take home and read with a fresh mind.

Since then, I have basked in the soothing words and understanding of Thich Nhat Hahn. As a deep thinker, I found the beliefs I was taught as a child too small for my longing. Many people search for truth. More than half the world has found their own truth. Sadly, many world religions say theirs offers the only true and correct path.

As I sit in my garden this morning, I have an awakened sense of wonder as I absorb my surroundings. Since I was first introduced to Thich Nhat Hahn I will never again see this small garden rock as a rock, this tree as a tree, this ant as an ant, or even me as me. I now understand that one thing cannot exist without the other. I no longer walk on a tiny patch of ground- I walk on the entire earth. I no longer touch only the wave- I touch all the oceans of the world.

In remembrance of one of my greatest teachers, Thich Nhat Hahn, who continued his new journey of awakening at the age of 95. 1/22/2022.