Some years ago a man got caught in a severe blizzard.

His truck skidded off the icy road and he got stuck. The wheels were spinning and there was no way he could move. Darkness fell upon him and it seemed pointless for him to walk through the snow to seek help. So he decided to wait until the morning light before he ventured out to seek help.

When he woke up in the morning his truck was completely frozen shut and thoroughly covered with snow. He was really stuck! He could not get out. He was totally alone. Six days passed. Then finally, one afternoon, he was rescued from the truck.

When he was rescued, he was asked what he did during those six long days. He replied with much thankfulness and total seriousness, "I did an awful lot of thinking about my whole life!"

I often wonder what a person thinks about when he/she is caught in a life crisis like a blizzard? Is he gripped with fear and a sense of panic? Does he think of his impending mortality? Does he think of how he can save himself urgently? Does he return to his religious faith? Does he pray to get through the crisis? Is he gripped by feelings of regret? Or do feelings of gratitude even emerge? I've wondered in my lifetime what kinds of thoughts and feelings a person may hold in such uncertain times.

I also wonder how I may come to see my life in a similar situation like the man in the story. Will fear pass through me or overcome me? Will I be able to stretch my mind and imagination in trying to find a way out? Will sadness and sorrow grip me and regrets rise to the surface? Will I wish for more "quality" time with my family and friends? How will I manage? How will I face my crisis?

In a real sense, each of us, including myself, is living daily on the precipice of a life-and-death cliff. A life blizzard may suddenly strike – a heart attack, cancer, stroke (brain attack), mental breakdown, job loss, divorce, death in the family, etc. Such events may strike us swiftly and completely cut us off from our daily routine. Should such an event occur, are we prepared to embrace our condition? Will there be time? Is there a way to really prepare for such inevitabilities? Or, do we meet the inevitable at the point of occurrence? Such thoughts and feelings may also pass through our mind during the course of our daily life.

The time to focus on such thoughts and feelings reflecting the worth and mean- ing of our life is always available to us in this present given moment. We may wait until a crisis strikes to examine our life with all its ramifications. We may not. We may also not be as fortunate as the man in the story to have six days of grace to reflect and focus on our life and its meaning and worth. The only reality we are given to reflect is in this present moment. So using this moment to think and reflect on our life and its meaning is a precious opportunity for clarity and depth without waiting or encountering a life crisis. Such moments give us pause to listen, hear, and awaken to the inner seeking and stirrings of our heart and mind. Such moments too can enhance and embody our true spiritual journey in the Nembutsu.

When the siren of the fire truck wails faraway and the sound disappears into the distance, you do not give it a second thought. But when the shrill sound of the siren approaches your neighborhood, you listen intently with your whole being. They are the same siren, but the implications are a world apart.
Now, the words of the Buddha are like the sound of the siren coming your way and warning you of the perils of the unreflected life. You must listen to the teachings with the same sense of urgency and involvement you show in listening to the cry of the approaching siren in the midnight air. Then, the message of the Buddha will become a part of you, and you will open the eyes of your hearts to reality, serenity, and fullness.
- Gyodo Haguri, The Awareness of Self.