Not Knowing Is Most Intimate

We need to let go of what we know, to open up to new possibilities. At any given moment we are invited to let go of the concepts, the knowing, the mental processes that we experience to make us suffer. A truly liberated mind can be found in the freedom of undivision, of going beyond concept, and not splitting up reality.

Transcript

We fully concentrate on the simple living reality of the present moment,

Manifested in the body,

In the posture,

And in the rhythm of the breathing.

Always here,

Always now.

The spiritual path of Zen,

Is a very concrete path.

It harmonizes with reality as it is,

Of preconceived concepts,

Of ideas we may have about reality.

We need to let go of what we know,

To open up to new possibilities.

And the not knowing,

Reveals the intimacy that we need to reunite with the true nature of our existence.

It is in the intimacy of Satsang,

That we learn to observe ourselves,

Our reactions.

And see the causes and the conditions clearly.

Whatever insight we may develop,

It is important to also let go of that again,

Coming back to posture and breath.

It is important to let go of what we know,

To open up to new possibilities.

There is this famous interaction between Master Jizo,

And the young wandering monk Hogen.

When Hogen arrived in Jizo's temple,

Jizo asked him,

Where have you come from?

Hogen replied,

I pilgrimage aimlessly.

So Jizo asked,

What is the matter of your pilgrimage?

And Hogen replied,

I don't know.

So Jizo asked,

What is the matter of your pilgrimage?

And Hogen replied,

I don't know.

So Jizo asked,

What is the matter of your pilgrimage?

And Hogen replied,

I don't know.

So Jizo asked,

What is the matter of your pilgrimage?

To let go of the concepts,

The knowing,

The mental processes that we experience to make us suffer.

A truly liberated mind can be found in the freedom of undivision,

Of going beyond concepts.

And not splitting up reality into various things.

But just experiencing its entirety,

Its totality,

Its wholeness.