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By Anton Somlai No heat compares to August in Nebraska. The “cool” evening air often registers above 80 degrees, with a sweat-soaked humidity saturated at 100%, and a breeze that roasts most living beings into unconsciousness. It is said that even Satan leaves the Cornhusker state during the summer to enjoy the more chilling fire and brimstone of the netherworld. There are many ways to deal with the agitation and discomfort felt by a summer blast of heat. One night, years ago, the Somlai clan found a new path to cool in the heart of America. There we were (Mom, Dad, and two young teens), sitting in front of 3 fans, sipping cool drinks, agitated, uncomfortable, and slowly roasting into unconsciousness. Knowing that the human condition is one of suffering brings very little relief as the sweat runs down the back of your neck. Trying to think yourself into “cool” seemed as stupid an idea as wishing the heat to go away. We were doomed. Then it hit me. There is a wonderful Buddhist saying, “When heat comes, heat kills.” And I thought, rather than fighting the heat and dying we should accept the heat and use it to break the cycle of mind suffering. How about dancing ourselves into a sweaty, frothy, energetic, near-death-experience? I picked Robert Plant’s scintillating song “Wreckless Love.” The tune has a sizzling middle-eastern flavor with a great break drawing out the word “burn.” This was perfect as all four of us jumped, danced, laughed, and stripped even more clothing off. We kept playing that song and dancing away our “mind” heat. This was the night that the Somlai Clan awakened to the magic of guerrillamour. A guerrillamour participates in the creation of guerrilla lovefare. When faced with a difficult situation or the dullness of everyday suffering there needs to be action that breaks through the habituated mind. It takes great courage and energy to bring a new attitude to an old situation. A guerrillamour takes what is given and uses the energy to break through suffering. Recently, we added a guerrillamour practice at ORZC. One of the Buddha’s most important teachings was to wish each other happiness. The statement, “I wish you happiness” helps break through any suffering mind habit. In this age of instant communications we started using our phones to text IWUH (I WISH YOU HAPPINESS) to our ORZC buddies as a surprise attack of love. My fellow guerrillamours send these IWUH texts at all times of the day or night. The moment you send or receive an IWUH it takes away the habituated suffering mind if even just for a moment. Helping each other through guerilla lovefare can actually be fun. No one ever said that overcoming suffering had to be filled with suffering. The Buddha was also a guerrillamour because he helped people wake up from their slumbering minds. His teaching that true nature was loving kindness began guerilla lovefare. IWUH is a continuation of this great awakening. So, this summer, when you are hot and miserable, text IWUH to a friend or simply tell someone “I wish you happiness” and begin to cool down. If that doesn’t work listen to “Wreckless Love” by Robert Plant, but be careful, make sure that all the shades and blinds in the house are closed. Being a guerrillamour should never create problems with your neighbors. Anton Somlai writes a monthly article for the Root & Branch, the Original Root Zen Center's newsletter. This story appeared in the June 2009 issue. For a free subscribtion to the Root & Branch, visit: www.originalrootzencenter.org |
