Meditation, Spiritual Practices, and the Way

Section 25

"A monk asked Master Kempo in all earnestness, "In a sutra it says, 'Ten-direction Bhagavats, one Way to the gate of Nirvana.' I wonder where the Way is". Kempo lifted up his stick, drew a line and said, "Here it is." Later a monk asked Unmon to give instruction about this, Unmon held up his fan and said, "This fan jumps up to heaven of the thirty-three devas and adheres to the nose of the deva Taishaku. When a carp in the eastern sea is struck with a stick, it rains torrents as though a tray of water is overturned." Mumons Comment: One goes to the bottom of the deepest sea heaving sand and raising dust. The other stands on top of the highest mountain and causes white waves to billow up to the sky. On the one hand, they are gripping it tightly; on the other hand, they are letting it loose; so each of them extends a single hand and together they support the essential principle. It is just like two running boys colliding. In this world, there will be no one who has realized the truth completely. Examining with the true eye, I find that neither of the old masters knows where the Way is." -Zen Koan ..........

"Once Hotei wad approached by another Zen master who asked him, "What is the significance of Zen?" Hotei immediately plopped his sack down on the ground in silent answer. "Then" asked the other, "what is the actualization of Zen?" At once the Happy Chinaman swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his way." - Zen Story (Reps) ..........

"I consider the positions of kings and rulers as that of dust motes. I observe treasures of gold and gems as so many bricks and pebbles. I look upon the finest silken robes as tattered rags. I see myriad worlds of the universe as small seeds of fruit, and the greatest lake in India as a drop of oil on my foot. I perceive the teachings of the world to be the illusion of magicians. I discern the highest conception of emancipation as a golden brocade in a dream, and view the holy path of the illuminated ones as flowers appearing in one's eyes. I see meditation as a pillar of a mountain, Nirvana as a nightmare of daytime. I look upon judgement of right and wrong as the serpentine dance of a dragon, and the rise and fall of beliefs as but traces left by the four seasons." -Buddha ..........

"If your understanding is the same as that of your teacher, you take away half of the teacher's worth; when your understanding surpasses that of your teacher you are worthy to succeed him.' - Zen saying ..........

"So long as the mind is unsteady and fickle, it availeth nothing, even though a man has got a good Guru and the company of Holy men." - Sri Ramakrishna ..........

Mumon's Zen Warnings: " To obey the rules and regulations is to tie yourself without a rope. To act freely and without restraint is heresy and deviltry. To be aware of the mind, making it pure and quiet, is the false Zen of silent illumination. To arbitrarily ignore causal relations is to fall into a deep pitfall. To abide in absolute awakening with no darkening is to wear chains with a yoke. Thinking of good and evil is being in Heaven and Hell. To have ideas about the Buddha and the Dharma is to be imprisoned inside two iron mountains. Becoming aware of consciousness at the instant it arises is toying with the mind. Practicing concentration in quiet sitting is an action of devils. If you go forward, you will lose the essence. If you go back you oppose the truth. If you neither go forward nor back, you are a dead man breathing. Tell me now, what will you do? Make the utmost effort to attain realization completely in this life! Do not let yourself circulate karma forever." Mumon's post script: "These remarks of mine are just like smearing milk on red soil. If you pass through the gateless gate, you make a fool of Mumon. If you are unable to pass through the gateless gate, you are turning your back on yourself. It is rather easy to realize the so-called nirvana mind, but it is difficult to make clear the wisdom of discrimination. If you realize the wisdom of discrimination, your land will be peaceful by itself." ..........

From all this it is my hope that you will gain a greater sense of what meditation and the spiritual path are, and how to proceed closer to your goal. If you take some of the practices and try them, use your intuition to lead you to what would be most beneficial. Don't force anything, and don't worry about what will happen. Enjoy and live. You can set up a system or routine for yourself, but it is best to keep it simple.

If you now are following a path and being instructed by a teacher, it is best that you follow that person's guidance. But remember that in reality there is only one true teacher and that is God. You will find that on this journey it is very helpful to go with one who has travelled it before and can assist you on the way. But it is not absolutely essential, as you have yourself upon which to rely, trust, and have faith. Follow that guidance and inspiration of that true guide, and read and learn from the only true scripture - the books of nature and life.

Have fun, don't take yourself too seriously, and above all, keep God in mind and heart as you "breathe love".

May you be well. May you be happy. Peace.