digitalZENDO

The other day I read something by Zen Master Seung Sahn, that I really enjoyed. "Two people see something funny happen, and so they both laugh at the same time. Or a man gives his wife a birthday present. She unwraps it and discovers her favorite kind of scarf, so she is very happy and smiles.When this action occurs and two minds completely connect through this experience, we call this a transmission from mind to mind. For one moment , at least, two minds stand on the same point and share the same complete understanding. It needs no speech or words. Explanations cannot deliver this experience or understanding."

That Two minds have the ability or the opportunity to stand on the so-called "same point," see with the same eye, hear with the same ear, feel with no gap, no distance and no space in emotion is fairly incredible. But to get to that point, it would seem something has to be laid aside. That something is often our so-called "baggage." That we can set down our sense of self, our troubles, our worries and no see into someone elses mind, but actually be there. True no words can adequately describe this. It's very special.

I recall that at my fathers funeral some time ago, it was only the second time that we where able to stand stand on the same point and see as One Mind. The other time was when I was a kid and we played baseball together on a particular day a Frick Park, in Pittsburgh. Through my life I have had that experience with others, and prefer to have with people when they are still alive as opposed to when they are gone. That said, how do we do that.

When I used to Dai Bosatsu Zendo there was an expression Eido Tai Shimano Roshi would use. He would say "Purify Your Heart." Now I find myself saying at times, "Unify Your Heart." Essentially it is the same thing. Speaking for myself, if I didn't follow any other principle in my life than that, I think I'd be okay. Those three words open a door to a much wider world.

Zazen practice (sitting in unification with oneself) is the time tested and traditional method. There are other methods as well. For some it's yoga, sports, art, etc. Many paths, but all leading to the same point on the spiritual map, harmony with our true, true, true self. The only hitch in the deal is we have to earn it. We have to apply itself. Unification with oneself does not usually happen by itself.

Once we are capable of at least moving in the direction of unifying ourselves, then it seems if would be that much easier to stand on the same point with you. Then and there the fog lifts and we don't just see the vista, but are the view itself. Practice well.

Namaste'

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO