The Art of Zen

My words tremble. It is said that Zen is a topic which words cannot describe in full, for it describes the nature of being. For those who speak do not understand, while those who don't know, truly understand. In that sense one who claims to know what Zen is can be said to be a fraud, like someone who picked your pocket and sold you your own watch. You already understand Zen, although many of us feel lost.

Zen can be described fourfold. It is a direct transmission of consciousness, outside words, scriptures, & traditions. It has no dependence on words or letters. It points directly to the human mind. It allows one to see into their own nature and become enlightened (buddha).

It can be described as spiritual ophthalmology, to help one see the world clearly. To see reality as it is, not the way we describe it with words. Through mushen ("no mind") zen allows a person to be fully present, and accept the world as it comes, without fighting it or allowing it to overcome them.

If you ask where the flowers come from, even the god of spring doesn't know. Rather, she knows in the same way that you know how to open and close your hand, or beat your heart and breathe your lungs. You do it without thought, it happens of itself. This is the Chinese concept of ziran ("of itself"). Thus to describe Zen with mere words would be no different than attempting to drink the Pacific Ocean with a fork.

A master of Zen is said to have a mind like a mirror. Pure, accepting all things but never clinging to them. In the sky, the birds don't stain the blue. When a bucket has a hole, all the water flows together.

When a student asked a master to teach them Zen, the master replied, "It may take you 3 seconds, it may take you 30 years. I mean that." It is said that that the state of Satori ("awakening") is akin to everyday life, except a few inches off the ground. It is like being the center of the turning world, a wheel revolving evenly by love that moves the Sun and other stars.

A student asked the master, "What is the Dao?" The master replied, "Your everyday mind is the Dao". When you try to accord with it, you deviate. Thus he who thinks he knows, knows not, but he who accepts that he doesn't know, truly understands. Trying to grasp onto it, you will lose it instantly, like water flowing out of the hand. There is nothing to cling onto, thus it is already yours. This is salvation.

The Dao is the flow of the universe. You may try to swim against the flow, but all you will do is tire yourself out in futility. I once heard a great guru say that any dead fish can swim upstream. Indeed many people of tremendous wealth and success teach us to observe the masses and do the opposite. But what happens when you have a room full of people swimming upstream? One who flows with the stream may acquire the power of the stream.

It is said that when the the enlightened monk walks, he has no destination. When he walks, he walks. When you see pictures of a Buddha sitting, he isn't taking a special position that allows him to harmonize with the cosmos. He is merely sitting. When he sits, he sits. Zen then, is when hungry eat, when tired sleep. Very few can accomplish this, for when many of us eat, we think of many things, and when many if us sleep, we dream many dreams.

This is his karma ("action"). Many people interpret karma falsely, thinking that good deeds will lead to good returns in the future. But this is superficial. It is true that by sewing seeds, you will reap a harvest. But are seeds a method for trees to create more trees, or are trees a means for seeds to create more seeds? When a master says "your karma" it merely means "your doing". Your actions are your responsibility. The good that you do to others you do unto yourself, the harm you inflict onto others, you inflict upon yourself. This is the Biblical Golden Rule.

Like your breath, let it go and it will come back to you. Try to hold onto it and you will lose it. Thus is the same for money and love. This is Nirvana, to "breathe out". Nirvana is where you are. Allow humility to give you courage. Allow submission to give you strength. Have faith, and fear will dissolve. When you understand this, the only left to do is laugh!

Know Thyself, Love Thyself. To understand the self is to understand the universe. Know The Universe, Love The Universe. God's love is ever present.

Thank you to the timeless sages for this eternal wisdom.

G. K. Chesterton: Gold Leaves

Lo! I am come to autumn,

When all the leaves are gold;

Grey hairs and golden leaves cry out

The year and I are old.

In youth I sought the prince of men,

Captain in cosmic wars,

Our Titan, even the weeds would show

Defiant, to the stars.

But now a great thing in the street

Seems any human nod,

Where shift in strange democracy

The million masks of God.

In youth I sought the golden flower

Hidden in wood or wold,

But I am come to autumn,

When all the leaves are gold.