Thread: I wrote this piece tell me what you think--is it readable? Title:Zen and the Art of Relationships

Does it make sense? Is it readable? Grammar? Any criticism appreciated.
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Zen and the Art of Relationships

By b_can

Zen Flesh and Zen Bones: Muddy Road

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

"Come on, girl" said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"

"I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

They call it the Present because it is a gift.

Close your eyes and take a DEEP breath in and out. Do this again. Do this until it isn’t a process to reach some goal--until you enjoy it. Take your eyes off of the computer for a while and enjoy the day by being outside. Listen to environment sounds around you, birds chirping or waves crashing--or simply listen to silence. By doing this, you stay present and outside your thoughts.

Caught within they own self absorbed thoughts, people are practically living zombies. So focused on their own problems, thoughts, life passes them by. Worries, fears, obsession, love, happiness, jealousy, and other emotions stop people from being present.

In terms of relationships, many people are usually never present. Expectations break people apart. Guilt often binds together. People want what they can’t have and have what they don’t want.

People are always chasing after an ideal happiness, whether remorse over a past love or hoping for that “perfect” person to come into their lives. Ironically, those who don’t “seek” for an emotional state of happiness, become full. These few people aren’t limited by choosing particular people over sets of traits, personalities, interest, looks--rather, they conclude that everything, even relationships, is a learning experience…someone has something new to teach them. This isn’t to say that we are naturally drawn to people via looks, interest, personality, etc (because we are naturally animals), but many times we can expand ourselves by being aware of what is present; and therefore, we expand the potential partners (regardless of what type of relationship) that we can be with exponentially--instead of finding “the One.”

It can start by right NOW and being conscious of your breath, which in turn will allow to you see your thoughts and how as the observer you aren’t your thoughts or fears you once believe yourself to be. This will intern allow you to become aware of the way you interacted with other via behavior patterns, your family or friends is a good example. It will allow you to become conscious of your thought and any fear that may arise. Being in a relationship isn’t about being with your partner every second. It isn’t about hoping what, could’ve been, will be or could be. It is about enjoying that moment in time with your significant other. Of course this is harder said than done and people spend their lives working bringing themselves awake and outside their thoughts.