The Challenges Of The Mind Storm

Our Zen practice continually points to the truth so that it always dwells in our hearts. In times like these, when confusion seems to be the norm, it enables us to perceive clearly and distinguish the truth from lies.

Every summer for the last ten years, some friends and I have sailed together across the Mediterranean Sea. The following happened to us during one of those trips.

We were sailing toward Corsica, and we knew that we needed to cross the tail end of a storm in progress. Everything was going well, even in the turbulent storm, until one of the three of us became seasick and could no longer help with the work. At that point, we noticed that the storm had turned to move in our direction, and we would not be able to avoid it. Everything changed: it became extremely difficult, heavy, and gray, and our attitudes matched the conditions.

We needed to steer and control the boat and take care of our sick partner at the same time. We needed to accomplish everything with only two of us doing the work of three.

In these moments, one thinks, “Did I do my work well? Did I consult the weather reports correctly? Was it really wise to take the boat out in such conditions?” And above all I asked myself, “Who got me into this trouble?”

But actually, in these kinds of situations, we don’t have time to think. We can only act! Just do it! Fear appears when we start thinking about the situation we are in.

Nevertheless, many wild thoughts did appear. I remembered that a friend once told me that if I sail a boat but never experience a storm, then I haven’t sailed enough. The vast sea is powerful and puts us to the test. It is the moment of truth. In that moment, the sea is not interested in the cosmetic appearance of the boat. What matters is the importance of strong construction, of tolerance, of being able to face the great challenges of the sea.