The Estuary Audio Talks
March 4, 2012
This Audio Talk marks the conclusion of Susan’s series of Kabbalistic interpretations of the Ten Ox Herding Pictures. Entitled "Entering the Marketplace With Helping Hands," this entry describes the process of returning to daily life (represented by the marketplace) as an integrated, enlightened individual. As she has described throughout the series, Susan interprets enlightenment as simply meaning that we become a container for receiving God, seeking to be whole in the sense that we are conscious of all aspects of our human nature no matter how gruesome or unappealing.
When we welcome both the pleasant and the unpleasant pieces of our true selves, we are able to truly receive God; and when we 'return to the marketplace' this way as an integrated individual, we become like the rustic in the final poem. He does not impart wisdom and sage advice to those he encounters, but instead he simply offers awareness and creates a 'breeze of a blessing' to others by walking with them through the mundane details of village life. By treating each breath and each thought as a welcome visitor from beyond, we are like the enlightened rustic in that even the most boring daily activities have valuable lessons for us. We must continue to long for these lessons with each breath because that is what moves us forward, getting ever closer to the end of our life-long search for our true nature.
January 21, 2012
We have come to the 9th installment in the Ox Herding Picture Series, “Returning To The Source.” In Picture 8 our journey had come full-circle in a sense, but we realized that the circle will never be completely closed (represented by the visible gap in Picture 8) as long as we continue to live and take in more of life. What we were searching for in the beginning (the Ox, or enlightenment) is never truly attained until we reach death.
In Picture 9, the journeyer in the story (who represents yourself) reacts to this new-found knowledge by not reacting at all. The waxing and waning of life he observes all around him is no different than his own true nature, and he abides unassertively in this truth with “unshakable serenity.” The poem asks “Why then is there a need to strive for anything?” This important question foreshadows Picture 10, which will mark the conclusion of our series in Susan’s next Audio Talk.
November 12, 2011
View the 7th and 8th Ox pictures »
In this installment, Susan discusses the 7th and 8th Ox pictures. In Picture 7, we find the man at home, alone and serene. The Ox has vanished now that the man has identified it as his true nature, and as a result the man is at peace, no longer searching and longing with wild abandon.
The 8th Picture traditionally represented the conclusion of the journey in the ancient days. It has a surprising outcome that Susan reveals and reflects upon as she brings the main part of the journey to a close.
It is recommended that you look at the pictures and especially take note of the "opening" in the circle in Picture 8, which Susan refers to in the talk.
October 8, 2011
This audio talk is titled "Riding the Ox Home" and discusses the 6th picture in the series of "Ten Ox Herding Pictures."
At this stage in our journey, we have tamed the Ox (which represents the true inner self). We realize that although the Ox is composed of raw, unbridled energy we can still count on its regularity in revealing itself to us in many forms. Despite the fact that we cannot direct it as we wish at all times, we are able to count on the Ox to return home and to provide us with a feeling of tranquility and acceptance of ourselves despite our imperfection. We are able to trust that we will always be able return home no matter how far life may draw us into its troublesome fields of wild uncertainty.
September 22, 2011
In this audio talk, Susan continues the series of "Ten Ox Herding Pictures." These are works of art from the Ancient Buddhist tradition. Each picture in the series is a simple sketch of a man and an ox, accompanied by a poem. The series addresses issues that we still deal with today, such as longing to feel connected to something meaningful and to be able to live in a state of self-realization.
Here, Susan discusses the 5th picture in the series, which addresses the stage in the journey known as "taming the Ox." In Susan's interpretation, taming the Ox is a metaphor for calming the fire that is the true inner self. She offers the uplifting view that to pursue this goal effectively, we must bring the good and the bad parts of ourselves to the table in their entirety. Only when we see both good and bad clearly for what they are can we skillfully manage the nose-rope of the unruly Ox.
August 10, 2011
View the 1st through 4th Ox pictures »
In this audio talk, Susan discusses the first four of a series of ten "Ox Pictures." These are works of art from the Ancient Buddhist tradition, and each of the ten pictures is accompanied by a poem. The series of poems gives a unique perspective on issues that we still deal with today, such as longing to feel connected to something meaningful and to be able to live in a state of self-realization. We meet at The Estuary the second Saturday of every month to uncover a new picture and discuss its meaning for us in modern times.