Archives Reflection: Here and Now
Rev. William Masuda

Some years ago a man got stuck in a blizzard. His truck skidded off the icy road and he got stuck. The wheels were just spinning and there was no way he could move. Darkness then descended 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 sought 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. 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 total seriousness and thankfulness, "I did an awful lot of thinking!"

I often wonder what a person thinks about when he/she is caught in a crisis like the blizzard. Does he think about dying? Does he think about his family; his loved ones? Does he think of saving himself? Does he think of work? Does he think about his faith? Does he think that maybe he should have lived his life more meaningfully? Does he pray to change his life if he gets through the crisis safely? Does he think thoughts of gratitude? I have often wondered, even as a child and youth, what kinds of thoughts and feelings grip a person in such a crisis situation.

I also wonder how I might see my life if I reflected on its worth and meaning completely for six long days? Will I be negotiating for more time? Will I be grateful for all of life's many conditions and situations I have encountered? Will I be afraid to touch those inner feelings that often leave me with a sense of life's pathos? Will I discover the inner source for true happiness and joy? Will I wish to truly love and care for my family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers in an unconditional way? Where will such a time of immersion lead? I also wonder how others may see their lives if they had an opportunity to reflect on their lives fully for six days.

In a real sense, each of is living on the precipice of a life-and-death cliff, each moment, in this moment, right now! A life blizzard may suddenly strike us - a heart attack, cancer, stroke (brain attack), mental breakdown, divorce, death, etc. Such events may completely cut us off from our conventional life. Should such an event occur are we - am I! - prepared to see, feel, embrace, and accept our condition fully? Will there be time? Is there a way to prepare for the inevitable? Or do we simply meet it at the point of its happening?

The time and opportunity to think those thoughts that reflect the worth and meaning of our life is always in the here and now; in this present moment we are given. A sacred moment, never to be repeated again.

We may wait until a crisis strikes us to examine our life. But we may not be as fortunate as the man in the story to have six days of grace to reflect and focus on our life; its meaning and worth; its infinite blessings.

The present moment is the only reality that is available and given to us. So this moment, in this here and now, we are given life fully as it is. So think now! Think in the given moment! Think clearly about our life's meaning and its worth now! Cherish wholly this moment! Feel thankfulness and joy...here and now! Namu-amida-butsu...here and now! Namu-amida-butsu.

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A PLACE
Ed Dreessen

Explore the depths of personal existence
Extend beyond the surface of life
Descend into the personal shade
An excursion, by necessity, always private
Visit its vastness, hear, in its quiet
Find this solitude
The timeless glow of the spirit within.

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