Gradually I began to understand
that it does not matter very much what problem,
whether big or small, is tormenting us; the only thing that
matters is that we be tormented, that we find a ground for being
tormented. In other words, that we exercise our minds in
order to keep certainty from turning us into idiots,
that we fight to open every closed door
we find in front of us.
chris hondros, friend and hero
In conflict
it is better to be receptive
than aggressive, better to retreat
a foot than advance an inch. This is called
moving ahead without advancing, capturing the enemy
without attacking him. There is no greater misfortune
than underestimating your opponent. To
underestimate your opponent is
to forsake your three
treasures.
When opposing
forces are engaged in
conflict, the one who fights
with sorrow will
triumph.
The five
colors blind the eye.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavors overwhelm
the palate.
Fancy things
get in the way of one’s growth.
Racing here and there, hunting for
this and that—good ways to
madden your mind,
that’s all.
Relinquish what is without.
Cultivate what is within.
Live for your center,
not your senses.
☯️ what wondrous function is ☯️
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The nature of mind is
non-arising: why try
to look for it?
Originally there is no dharma —
why talk about smoke
and fire?
Going and coming without end,
clinging to what you’ve known —
don’t bother.
All these things are useless.
In a place of quiet illumination,
see for yourself.
on this date a buddha was born
A monk asked Chao Chou,
“Does a dog also have the Buddha nature, or not?”
Chao Chou replied, ‘Mu.’ This Mu is not the Mu of yes or no;
it is not the Mu of true nonexistence. Ultimately what is it?
To reach that place from where Chao Chou said Mu
one must straightaway lay down
the entire body.
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.