I read something Thich Nhat Hanh wrote about his memories as a novice monk:

“One day, when I was a novice monk, my teacher asked me to do something for him. I was very excited to do it for him, because I loved my teacher very much. So I rushed out to do it. But because I was so excited, I wasn’t mindful enough, and I slammed the door on my way out. My teacher called me back and said: “My child. Please go out and close the door again. But this time, do better than you did before.” Hearing his words, I knew that my practice had been lacking. So I bowed to my teacher and walked to the door with all of my being, every step with mindfulness. I went out and, very mindfully, closed the door after me. My teacher did not have to tell me a second time. Now every time I open and close a door, I do so with mindfulness, remembering my teacher. “

This week I am again contemplating the nature of doors. (precipitated by a Meme in an unexpected place) Is it possible to obtain closure by “shutting the door”? My short conclusion is this: “Shutting the door” can be a first step or an intention to leave something behind and work towards a goal. However, if there is an attachment to the object on the other side of the door, there is likely to be much traveling back-and-forth despite the number of locks on the door. The door will not stay closed. This is the nature of doors. This is the nature of attachments. Therefore, “shutting the door” is not even necessary. Closure can begin to happen when understanding habit energy and attachments occur. Shutting the door becomes an intention to contemplate habit energy and attachments. ( I say this while I’m working on -Not Knowing-)

All this talk about doors… Turns out over the years I have taken my share of pictures of doors. I will leave you with some of them.