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<\/a>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cDemon\u201d is an old word, an ancient idea conjuring up images of devils and other fiercely intimidating embodiments of the forces of evil. Perhaps you, like I, instinctively recognize your own demonic nature. We all have within us the capacity to think speak and act in ways that are harmful. What we do with these demons, our demons, is a central project of the spiritual path.<\/span><\/p>\n M<\/span>any of my<\/span> demons thrive in the <\/span>growth medium I <\/span>nourish<\/span> with <\/span>generous doses of <\/span>pri<\/span>d<\/span>e and arrogance. In this fertile <\/span>soil<\/span>, judgement blossoms like the first green <\/span>clover in the open fields<\/span>, popping up everywhere<\/span> right now<\/span>, no additional cultivation needed. <\/span><\/p>\n O<\/span>ther <\/span>of my <\/span>demons <\/span>also<\/span> find homes in soil<\/span> enriched with arrogance:<\/span> <\/span>R<\/span>esentment, strong opinions, ang<\/span>ry<\/span> impatience<\/span>. <\/span>Noxious weeds, every one. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Noxious<\/span>\u201d<\/span> is <\/span>a <\/span>word that sounds like what it describes: <\/span>Anything <\/span>toxic and <\/span>harmful. Noxious weeds, like my demons, a<\/span>ggressively multiply, <\/span>are <\/span>harmful to <\/span>the environments they inhabit<\/span>, <\/span>were <\/span>introduced by ignorance<\/span> <\/span>or mis-management <\/span>a<\/span>nd are<\/span> difficult to eradicate.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n The very first of <\/span>Buddhism\u2019s T<\/span>hree <\/span>Pure P<\/span>recepts is, \u201cDo No Harm.\u201d My demons<\/span> are<\/span> <\/span>the blossoms on the plants that <\/span>orient toward more and better, <\/span>toward like and dislike, push and shove<\/span>. T<\/span>hese are noxious weeds I use to over-run whatever seems in \u201cmy\u201d way. <\/span>Such<\/span> <\/span>poisonous, aggressive <\/span>demons tend to rub off most painfully on those <\/span>with<\/span> whom I am the closest. Like stepping on a thistle plant in bare feet, <\/span>or <\/span>getting the juice of <\/span>a wild parsnip flower<\/span> on <\/span>one\u2019s<\/span> skin,<\/span> <\/span>my demons<\/span> <\/span>HURT.<\/span><\/p>\n It is heart-wrenching when I see <\/span>clearly <\/span>the harm my toxic negativity has caused to the environment, <\/span>to <\/span>beings<\/span> both near and far<\/span>, those<\/span> who I love<\/span> and even those who I barely know<\/span>. <\/span>My <\/span><\/p>\n poisonous words and actions spread out in ever-widening circles from their origin in my <\/span>tight, grasping heart\/mind. <\/span>Why do I choose to add poison to this world? <\/span>This negative energy <\/span>like <\/span>invasive <\/span>garlic mustard<\/span>, <\/span>steadily taking over the fields and woodlands<\/span>, choking out native wildflowers and grasses.<\/span><\/p>\n My son once worked on a 400-acre<\/span> <\/span>biodynamic farm in <\/span>New York<\/span>, a farm which is legendary for the enlightened practices of its farmer-owners which have all but completely eliminated<\/span> the insect<\/span> and plant pests that typically plague farmers. This feat was accomplished not with herbicides and pesticides but <\/span>with decades of environmentally <\/span>thoughtful<\/span> farming practices: organics<\/span> with the addition of spirituality, a cosmology with nature at its heart. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Similarly, my <\/span>stubborn demon weeds <\/span>invite<\/span> me to <\/span>cultivat<\/span>e the <\/span>spiritual <\/span>purity<\/span> of <\/span>uncritical satisfaction, humility, kindness and self-control<\/span>. <\/span>I wonder what stops me from choosing <\/span>tha<\/span>t?<\/span> <\/span>I recognize <\/span>that with <\/span>this question, <\/span>couched in <\/span>horror at my failings, I <\/span>risk<\/span> f<\/span>alling into <\/span>the <\/span>e<\/span>go\u2019s <\/span>shadowy <\/span>underbelly of <\/span>self-blame<\/span>. L<\/span>ike seeding a new invasive species<\/span>, t<\/span>his <\/span>is an additional <\/span>form of mis-management<\/span>. <\/span>Harmful<\/span>ness<\/span>, like <\/span>garlic mustard<\/span>, thistle<\/span> and<\/span> purple loosestrife<\/span> will not be eradicated through the application of additional forms of harm.<\/span><\/p>\n My gardening mentor teaches that the gardener\u2019s way involves <\/span>some<\/span> sharing<\/span> of the land<\/span>. We accept that<\/span> for now,<\/span> some noxious plant varieties will<\/span> be our neighbors<\/span>, but <\/span>in the <\/span>meantime, we<\/span> work to create <\/span>spaces <\/span>free of these harmful varieties <\/span>f<\/span>or crops<\/span>, <\/span>flowers<\/span> and indigenous<\/span> species<\/span>. <\/span>To <\/span>share my world with my demons<\/span>, I can <\/span>take my <\/span>remorseful<\/span> heart into the garden of my life with clear eyes<\/span>, an open heart <\/span>and all my tools, intent <\/span>on making<\/span> more<\/span> space for <\/span>harm<\/span>less<\/span>ness<\/span>. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n The peace <\/span>and beauty of a<\/span> garden in mid-summer belies the hard work that begins in early spring<\/span><\/p>\n as plants, both wanted and unwanted, thrust <\/span>themselves forth into <\/span>a new life cycle.<\/span> <\/span>With spring <\/span>now <\/span>warming our world, I will direct my <\/span>own <\/span>quickening energies toward notic<\/span>ing<\/span> the poisons <\/span>emerging<\/span> from my <\/span>pushy small <\/span>mind<\/span>. <\/span>In every step, in every thought<\/span> and<\/span> in each interaction, I will <\/span>attend to <\/span>pride and <\/span>judgement<\/span> with my caring<\/span> and curiosity and with my deepest <\/span>love for <\/span>the Buddha <\/span>W<\/span>ay. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n This Way<\/span> asks of me <\/span>that I <\/span>surrender, <\/span>that I <\/span>bow down to a <\/span>path <\/span>through my life <\/span>that I do not control or shape, except with my commitment to <\/span>follow <\/span>the truth of the Dharma. <\/span>