What matters most? What's the most important thing right now, right here, that you can do, that will shape how you are, with yourself and with others? Knowing that everything matters, in the sense of the unavoidable chain of cause and consequence, the truth of actions and reactions, what's the most important thing ?

This line of inquiry, specifically, the invitation to remember "the most important thing", was a common refrain of Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, whose words and works I've been revisiting. I've been incorporating the contemplation into my morning practice, and pausing to consider it at regular intervals in the day, so that if/when I waver from my noble intentions, I can pause and start over.

Begin again, over and over, as Suzuki Roshi taught. That might mean I'll catch myself when I'm getting impatient, frustrated, riled up or wrangled with a work thing or a mental thing or an emotional thing a human thing - and consider, what now? Because I can, we can, always pause and check - what's the most important thing, how do I need to be right now, what do I really need to do, for the sake of (enter your motivation, which can be as simple and powerful as feeling okay and free of tension).

Of course, there is no one single most important thing, it is not a fixed point or an absolute, it's a continuous point of departure, of reflection that can inspire considered action, moment to moment, day to day. The answer, your answer, will change, depending on the conversation, the relationship, the project, the thing you face. In that sense, of the relational dimension of life, the most important thing is to respond in whatever way is appropriate for you, for time, for others if others are involved, for circumstance.

These are my reflections as I set about my day, my intentions and commitments to what matters most. What about you, what's the most important thing for you? I invite you to reflect, sit on it, write about it, and share if you'd like.

The most important thing is...
being awake to what is
experiencing things as they are
resting rather than rushing
tasting completely
moving consciously
seeing clearly
preserving peace
taking only what is necessary
giving generously
having boundaries
respecting limitations
accepting change
awareness and attention
tender loving care
pausing often
listening to hear not react
trusting my instincts
opening wide
living fully
starting with intention
ending without regrets.