Like a Crow Let Loose!

Sailors of old would take with them crows to spot land. When their ships had ventured too far and they had lost sight of the shore, they would release the crow. It would fly round and round, higher and higher above the mast. When it saw land - off it went! Thus gone, the sailors followed the crow’s example. They called this crow the ‘Tathagata-Kova’ and this is the other term that the Buddha used to refer to himself: the Tathagata! (AN 6.54 & DN11)

Like a crow let loose, you too can make your escape! There are six ways to fly; so develop them all, cultivate them all, make them your vehicle and your basis, keep them up, consolidated them, and properly implemented them!

Every-time you let your heart be released through love, you have escaped from hate!

Every-time you let your heart be released through compassion, you have escaped from cruelty!

Every-time you let your heart be released through rejoicing, you have escaped from discontent!

Every-time you let your heart be released through equanimity, you have escaped from desire!

Every-time you let your heart be released through being signal-less (quiet), you have escaped from all signals (noise/triggers)!

Every-time you let your heart be released through the uprooting of the conceit “I am”, you have escaped from the pang of doubt and uncertainty! (AN 6.13)

In my life I have been so completely lost – but every-time I allow my heart to be released, I am also like a crow set free.

May you find peace in your practice!