the calm light from the spirit

nothing in particular

 

Do not

do anything (good or bad)

and do not even do this not-doing;

then straightaway one reaches that place where

there is no concern for external affairs, that

vast and peaceful place where there

are absolutely no obstructing

thoughts.

 

There,

all thoughts of the past

are extinguished, all thoughts of

the future do not arise, and

all present thoughts

are void.

 

Nevertheless,

this void-ness is also not

to be maintained. This non-maintenance

(of the void) is also to be forgotten, and this forgetting

is also not to be legitimized; further, free your­self from this

non-legitimizing. At the time when even the idea of

getting free is not preserved, only the alert

yet calm light from the spirit will

appear prominently before

oneself.

 

T’aego Pou

 

the wise person sets an example

so much can happen

 

When praise is

lavished upon the famous,

the people contend and compete with

one another. When exotic goods are traded

and treasured, the compulsion to steal is

felt. When desires are constantly

stimulated, people become

disturbed and

confused.

 

Therefore,

the wise person sets an example

by emptying her mind, opening her heart,

relaxing her ambitions, relinquishing her desires,

cultivating her character. Having conquered her

own cunning and cravings, she can’t

be manipulated by

anyone.

 

Do

by not-doing.

Act with non-action.

Allow order to arise

of itself.

 

Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu, Chapter 3


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only when you’ve seen the Way

people of the way

 

Only when you’ve

seen the Way do you practice

the Way — if you don’t see, what do you

practice? The emergence of the Way is like space —

what is there to cultivate in space? Those who practice

the Way by all kinds of contemplation are fire

stirring fire looking for foam. Just observe

the manipulation of the puppets —

when the strings are cut, it

all stops at once.

 

Chan Master Jing

treasury of the eye of true teaching

 

be empty and ordinary

make an offering of stillness

 
When bodhisattvas who live a householder’s life cultivate the practices of home-leavers, it is like a lotus blooming in fire. It will always be hard to tame the will for fame and rank and power and position, not to mention all the myriad starting points of vexation and turmoil associated with the burning house of worldly existence. The only way is for you yourself to realize your fundamental, real, wondrous wholeness and reach the stage of great calm and stability and rest.

It would be best if you managed to cast off everything and be empty and ordinary. Thoroughly experience the absence of conditioned mind, and observe that all phenomena are like dreams and magical illusions. Be empty all the way through, and continue on clearing out your mind according to the time and the situation. Then you will have the same correct foundation as all the great enlightened laymen in buddhist tradition.

According to your own measure of power, you will transform those not yet enlightened so you can enter together into the uncontrived, uncluttered ocean of true nature. Then your life here on this earth will not be a loss.
 

Yuanwu

zen letters

🪷