Images

Charlotte Joko Beck

TEXTS

Most religions have something to say about images and how we hold them in our lives.

“Thou shalt have no other Gods before me....”.Yasutani Roshi, speaking to a student, “You need not be concerned about the image on the alter; you should be concerned about the image in your mind.”

My self-centered anger arises when my image of myself is threatened. So: what image of yourself do you hold

‘I am a kind person.’
‘I am a good parent.’
‘I accomplish worthwhile things.’
‘I am an authority on (science, plants, cooking,
diet, dogs ... whatever).’

Or my image can be the opposite.

‘I am a mean person.’
‘I am a mediocre parent.’
‘I never accomplish anything.’

On and on. Our images are deeply rooted. We love them. They run our lives. They are who we think we are.

Some psychological therapies attempt to replace a negative image with a positive one. Effective but only to a point. Our attachment to any image, positive or negative—since we will defend our idol—leaves us in the long run in a state of slavery; the idol rules our existence and we are helpless under its domination.

All poor relationships (and their constant arguments) are based on the defense of images. When caught in an emotional storm, ask yourself, ‘What image do I have of myself that I feel I must defend?’

Keep in mind the difference between ‘I must be a good teacher (or student, athlete, musician, therapist, or ...)’ and just being a good teacher. Any defended image invariably blocks the open awareness from which effective action springs. And the image ‘I am one who sees clearly, who has realization, who is enlightened’ is itself the barrier to true seeing. Being ‘enlightened’ is being without image; undefended and open to life as it is. It is being able to feel the pain of the desperately defended images of others. It is, of course, compassion.

What is our practice with all this? (1) I need to know my favorite images; and the most reliable clue to my tendency to erect an image is bodily tension. (2) I need to be aware of the mental and physical substance of these images, that is, what my thoughts and bodily sensations accompanying the image are. (3) Finally I need to experience the pure physical sensation of my image; I need to experience this sensation free of thoughts with which I identify.

Sounds easy. It’s not.
Still, the Way is just this.
Be patient.
In time our images weaken and our freedom grows.