digitalZENDO

"Ukyu Gives Unfair Blows," Case number 75 from "The Blue Cliff Record" is the latest teisho from Genjo Marinello Osho. Genjo Osho starts with the introduction:

"The sacred sword is ever in hand: it is death dealing and life giving. It is there, it is here, simultaneously giving and taking. If you want to hold fast, you are free to hold fast. If you want to let go, you are free to let go. Tell me how it will be when one makes no distinction between host and guest, and is indifferent to which role one takes up?"

And if you are unsure what is meant by "the life giving and death dealing blade," it is the Mind itself. No more and no less.

Genjo Osho beautifully points out when the sword [Mind] is sharp and when it is dull. He states, "Most often probably we feel not so clear and lucid and sharp. And we hesitate about giving our love or our affection or our kindness or our care. Or we hesitate about calling bullshit when there's bullshit, and because we are afraid that we won't be clean and clear about it. So perhaps we don't say something when we really should, because one we don't want someone to be upset with us or we are no sure legitimately so that we can be clear about it, so that we might be heard. But it's not so important that we are heard, it's much more important that we are clear, but we doubt ourselves so much that often we hesitate and this hesitation is what I mean by dullness. This doubt that interferes with an underlying clarity, sharpness, lucidity that is actually always there. Now that is something that we say in Zen. And you may as I have for decades, intellectually agree with that statement. That this bright sword of your own Mind is already there. It doesn't need to be sharpened. It doesn't need to be found. It doesn't need to be attained."

This expression connects in a very deep and intimate way. Perhaps I can recognize it, because in the past I have been so intimate with the dull side of the sword as he talks about. But within my practice, I do find that from time to time that I hesitate much less. And I have the capacity to respond from a place that is beyond my ability to define, with words.

You can listen or download the full podcast for free from either SwitchPod or iTunes. Always keep in mind that you can listen to podcasts directly on your computer and don't need an iPod to enjoy them. Give it a listen, you'll find something really beautiful inside.

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO