Master the Environment
“If you are a person who honestly wants to learn the Way, don’t go looking for the world’s mistakes, but set about as fast as you can looking for a true and proper understanding.”
-Lin-chi
Lin-chi explains a proper understanding…
“You insist on mistaking idle names for reality. THIS IS A GREAT ERROR. Even if something did exist, it would in all cases be no more than an environment that changes with what it depends on.”
Zen is often regarded as a practice or meditation that one does to become peaceful or more at ease with life.
Another misconception is, while meditating or going about the day, that some sort of mystical understanding might occur. There’s nothing mystical about Zen; the knowledge revealed is practical in every sense.
The aim of Zen is to clear away the confusion and suffering we add to life.
Lin-chi now hints at the final understanding:
“When I see a man who has learned to master the environment, I know that here is the secret meaning of the buddhas.”
In three words, Lin-chi distills the teachings of a thousand years: “master the environment.”
Zen master Bodhidharma echos Lin-chi: “Not to be subject to affliction is liberation. There is no other liberation.”
Manage each moment by being aware, aware of what you are thinking into existence.
====
I’ll post a new topic each Friday afternoon.
Thanks for coming in.