Yongjia said,
“Without leaving wherever you are,
there is constant clarity.” No words come closer
to the truth than these. If you start seeking, then we know
that you are unable to see. Just cut off any duality between
“wherever you are” and “constant clarity,” and make
yourself peaceful and serene. Avoid concocting
intellectual understanding and seeking.
As soon as you seek, it is like
grasping at shadows.
;
if I had a mountain i would sit straight
all day contemplating nothing
but the way the wind blows maybe even
not that maybe just sit there
breathing in the quiet heart
whatever that is
Outwardly, all activities
cease; inwardly, the mind stops
its panting. When one’s mind has
become a wall, then he may
begin to enter
the tao.
Favor
and disgrace are
equally problematic. Hope
and fear are phantoms
of the body.
What
does it mean that
“favor and disgrace are
equally problematic”? Favor
lifts you up; disgrace knocks you down.
Either one depends on the opinions
of others and causes you to
depart from your
center.
What
does it mean that
“hope and fear are phantoms
of the body”? When you regard your
body as your self, hope and fear have real
power over you. If you abandon the
notion of body as self, hope
and fear cannot
touch you.
Know
the universe as
your self, and you can live
absolutely anywhere in comfort.
Love the world as your self,
and you’ll be able
to care for it
properly.
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Mountain home sleeping
No dreams of dust.
Three robes are plenty;
Who says I’m poor?
One for my pillow,
One to serve as a mat,
And at the thunder of my snoring
Heaven and Earth disappear.