Page 2 - MidWeek - March 3, 2021

2 MIDWEEK MARCH 3, 2021
figure things out, pulling resources from the vast recesses of your own mind. Paul Simon wrote a landmark song that became a No. 1 hit in 1966, The Sound of Silence.
A few years ago, I needed a break.
“Hello darkness, my old friend / I’ve come to talk with you again” is how it begins. Simple, powerful, profound. As we head (hopefully) around the final turn of this pandemic era over the next six months, perhaps we should all take some time, alone, to quietly assess where we are, what we’re doing, and how we’re feeling. Per- haps then we will better be able to deal with everything else that comes about as, hopefully, “It’ll be all right, when the morning comes” (written by Daryl Hall of Hall
I decided to go on vacation to hike the beautiful and rug- ged Nā Pali trail on Kaua‘i. Little did I know that this would become a spiritual pilgrimage of transformation.
Hiking the Nā Pali trail transformed the author’s life.
PHOTOS COURTESY FLINT SPARKS
This new way of life even- tually brought me to live here in Hawai‘i. Now I teach this same freedom from suffering here on Moloka‘i. And I am at peace.
& Oates and popularized locally by Kalapana).
Simon sang in The Sound of Silence about “People talking without speaking, people hearing without lis- tening.” And boy, does that sound like what we’ve wit- nessed lately, what we’ve become and where we are in far too many areas. While things seem a bit calmer, more congenial, and more civil locally, one can still feel rumblings about “What’s next?” and “Where do we go
The 11-mile hike along the narrow trail was demanding, but the scenery was unbeliev- ably inspiring. The combina- tion of fear and awe left me in a rare state as I arrived on that remote beach in Kalalau Valley.
clear, whatever you do or say will bring happiness that will follow you like your shadow (1.1).”
Once at home I pursued this new spiritual path. I learned all I could about the Buddha’s teachings. I saw that his focus was the cause of suffering and relief from suffering. That was what my patients needed — relief from suffering.
from here?”
The time has come for more thinking before speak-
These words from ancient text stood out: “If the mind is
ing, more empathy, listening, creativity and intelligence as we plan our collective futures. The time has come for common good to take precedence over any sort of “what’s in it for me” syndrome. We can address a number of issues and perhaps press the reset button, but we must not let this opportunity slip by without deep analysis, self-analysis and productive activity on festering items of concern here — about our futures, what aloha real- ly means, housing realities, and ensuring that our keiki have the means to provide for their keiki without mov- ing away. No hollow pontifications or big body. Silence, listening, action.
Think about it ...
SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
Let Nature Do Its Work
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir
CHASING THE
LIGHT
with Flint Sparks
SThe Sound of Silence
I’ve spent much of my professional life as a psy- chologist working with terminally ill cancer patients. This work is emotionally tax- ing as my patients often face difficult medical treatments or a shortened life.
ometimes, it’s OK to talk to yourself — even healthy. First of all, you’ll hopefully find a recep- tive audience. Secondly, such a chat can help you
I embraced what the amazing hike on Kaua‘i and the teach- ings in that slim volume had to teach. Softening my ego attachments and opening my heart more fully gave me greater freedom from suffer- ing. This was a gift I could then pass on to others.
I’d brought along a copy of the Dhammapada, one of the earliest texts of the Buddha’s teachings, and I was ready to understand it in a new way.
In fact, my mind had begun to clear. Here, there was no one to impress and nothing to hide. I was quietly opening to a peaceful way of being that my busy life on the mainland had obscured. I knew I want- ed to bring this knowledge back with me.
Flint Sparks is a Zen teach- er and former psychologist who lives on Moloka‘i. He teaches and leads retreats
I meditated and went on retreat. I started a meditation group, founded a Zen center and was ordained as a priest.
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
internationally.
Chasing The Light is pro-
duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr. Edited by Sharon Linnéa.
It won’t be easy or quick, as we also need to jump-start our economy, and there is a laundry list of items that have been talked about before with minimal, tangible results as things have been OK here for years — for some people. Through the sound of silence, hopefully, quality listening occurs, better ideas emerge, compassion and rational reasoning reverberate, and we come out of this thing wiser and willing.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com