Ride Upon the Mind and Live with Ease

In the Ten Oxherding Pictures, the scene of riding on the ox while playing a flute shows a state in which the mind has been tamed a great deal. When the once-rough ox becomes gentle, we are no longer dragged around by it; we can ride on it and travel the road with ease.

At first, our mind drags us around. When anger arises, we are dragged by anger. When desire arises, we are dragged by desire. When fear appears, we are shaken by fear. But as practice deepens, we can notice the mind as it arises without being swept away by it.

This does not mean suppressing the mind. It also does not mean neglecting it. We need to know the mind that arises and wisely guide its direction. Then the mind is no longer an enemy to fight, but becomes like a fellow practitioner walking the road with us.

The ease of playing a flute on the ox shows the joy of practice. When the mind is tamed, life becomes natural, not forced. Even when anger arises, we are not dragged by anger; even when worry comes, we are not broken by worry.

Today, may we not be dragged around by the mind, but notice it and use it with ease.