remain serene in the unity of things


 

The perfect Way’s like boundless space

Nothing lacking, nothing extra

It is because of choice

That its absolute truth is lost.

Don’t pursue externals;

Don’t dally in the interior void.

When the spirit remains serene

In the unity of things

Dualism vanishes by itself;

When that unity is not clear

There is loss in both directions.

 

Sengcan

more

 

cast aside all thoughts

enlightenment is not apart from the world

 

To be unstained

in all environments is called no-thought…

If you stop thinking of the myriad things, and cast aside

all thoughts, as soon as one instant of thought is

cut off, you enter another realm.

 

The Dharma of no-thought means:

even though you see all things, you do not

attach to them, but, always keeping your own nature

pure, cast the six thieves of the senses to

exit through the six gates.

 

Even though you are

in the midst of the six dusts,

you do not stand apart from them,

yet are not stained by them, and

are free to come and go.

 

Hui Neng

the platform sutra

full text

 

practice without any gaining idea


 

We say

to practice zazen

without any gaining idea,

without any purpose. Let things work

as they do, supporting everything as your own.

Real practice has orientation or direction, but it has

no purpose or gaining idea, so  it can include everything

that comes. Whether it is good or bad doesn’t matter.

If something bad comes: “Okay, you are a part

of me;” and if something good comes,

“Oh, okay.” Because we don’t have

any special goal or purpose

of practice, it doesn’t

matter what

comes.

 

Shunryu Suzuki

not always so

 

good approaches the superior person

electric night, sardinia

 

The

hexagram Lin

signals the approach of

powerful beneficial influences.

Just as the winter solstice heralds the

return of spring, the appearance of this hexagram

marks a similar movement toward light and

growth. Progress and success are

assured now to those who

persevere on the path

of truth.

 

To

maximize

the opportunity implicit

in this moment, it is important to

cultivate a proper attitude. It is easy, during

good times, to relax our inner discipline and fall back

into incorrect thoughts and actions. Allowing one’s ego to take

over in a moment of success is a sure means of ending the

progress that has begun. The growth that is at hand

was made possible by conscientious behavior,

and continuing carefully along that path

is our only means of coming

into full possession

of it.

 

A

steadfast

modesty and acceptance,

whether external conditions are good

or bad, is the mark of the superior person.

In yourself, maintain balance, equanimity, and

humility in times of accomplishment. With

others, remain patient, tolerant, and

gentle. Clinging to those principles

assures you of a time of joy

and prosperity.

 

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 19, Lin / Approach

 

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