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.
The
non-action of the
wise person is not inaction.
It is not studied. It is not shaken by anything.
The sage is quiet because she is not moved, not because she
wills to be quiet. Her quietness is the mirror of heaven and earth,
the glass of everything. Emptiness, stillness, tranquility,
traceless, silence, non-action: this is the level of
heaven and earth. This is the
perfect Tao.
🪷
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 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.