The Pure Mountain Path

Truth is experiencing the now. Truth is not in recollections. Truth is in the moment before one has time to think about what one is seeing or feeling. The moment we try to tell the truth, we are not. Once the mind filters what it has seen, the truth is no longer pure. I believe truth cannot be described, only experienced. Each person, each experience, brings a different version of the ‘truth’. What is truth to me may not be to you and vice versa. Some thoughts about the truth may not be true at all. We should realize this and not strive to explain the ‘truth’ to anyone but simply seek it within.

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That the self advances and confirms the ten thousand things
is called delusion;
That the ten thousand things advance and confirm the self
is called enlightenment.

- Zen Master Dogen Zenji, 1200 – 1253

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If you have trouble maintaining a meditation practice, you may wish to try sitting with a group. There may be a local meditation group near you that you can join. Some people find sitting with others motivational. Many groups are non-tradition based and welcome anyone who wishes to sit with them.

As the current life in us continuously passes, in this body, from childhood to youth to old age, we similarly passes into another form at death. An enlightened person is not bewildered by such a change. We live, we age, we get sick, and we die. This is the way of life. One journey ends, and another begins.

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When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy or wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.

        -   Layman Pang-yun (740-808)
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Some times, people ask if they should or can use music during meditation. I believe the answer should be no. Meditation is about stillness and clearness of thought. When we listen to music, we have the tendency to place our focus on listening to the music, anticipating our favorite parts, silently humming along with the tune. This distracts from our meditation. Music is a good way to relax, but it should not be used during meditation.

In order to sever the strong, long-standing bondage of conventional thought, without wasting any time, meditate deeply, be mindful and always keep your focus on the path. Do not be distracted by the naysayers, the pressure to conform, or sensual desires. Remain pure and walk your own path.

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Believe nothing on the faith of traditions, 
even though they have been held in honor 
for many generations and in diverse places. 
Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it. 
Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. 
Do not believe what you yourself have imagined, 
persuading yourself that a God inspires you.
Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests. 
After examination, believe what you yourself have tested 
and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.

Buddha 

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When deciding what time is best to meditate, listen to your body. You must meditate at a time when the body and spirit is fresh. Some prefer to meditate early in the morning after waking. They like sitting with a fresh mind, unsoiled by the day’s activities. Others prefer sitting at night before bed, as meditation gives the mind a chance to unwind after a busy day. I am fortunate to have the chance to meditate anytime, but I usually choose the afternoon and late at night. However, the important thing is that you find the time, any time of day or night, to meditate. If you cannot find at least fifteen minutes a day to sit, you are not trying! See what items of a lesser priority can be set aside. Make a commitment to meditate every day and you will see the results of your efforts.

While it is true that there are many paths up the spiritual mountain to enlightenment or whatever you wish to call it, the thing they all have in common with one another is that one must make an effort. Enlightenment does not come to the door and knock. There is no one religion, guru, zen master, or tradition, or method that is the single quickest way to enlightenment. Rather, it is the way that one travels the journey, and the commitment to undertaking that journey above all. My friends, the straight line is not always straight. You will see that there are bumps and detours, unexpected twists and turns, but if the conviction is steady and straight, the journey will be successful.

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Nothing remains
Of the house that I was born in–
Fireflies.

    –   Santoka, 1882-1940

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Why should you meditate? Meditation gives you something that nothing else can. It introduces you to yourself. That may sound strange my friend but it is true. How well do you really know yourself? Meditation will bring you peace of mind, calmness, and a healthy sense of being. It will help you to build better relationships and a better life. You shall also gain personal and philosophical insights. Life without meditation is like being in a canoe without a paddle, merely drifting along without having a say in direction.

- Dogen, 1200 – 1253

—————————————————–Meditation doesn’t just mean sitting down quietly for a few minutes and closing our eyes. If we wish to experience the inner rewards of meditation, then we must make it a priority in our life. A part-time effort will give us part-time results. If you are not committed to meditation, then what are you committed to my friend? Samsara? The same old cycle of unhappiness? You want to be cured, but do not wish to drink the medicine.

Wisdom will not dawn within the seeker of the Tao without exploring within the essence of the teachings. It is one thing to hold in your hands a useful tool. It is another thing to know how and have the desire to use it to your benefit. A saw in the hands of someone who cannot use it properly is useless. Any teachings in the hands of someone unwilling to use them are also useless.

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Songwriter Norman Whitfield died a few days ago. One of his most popular songs was…

“Smiling Faces Sometimes”

BARRET STRONG

NORMAN WHITFIELD

Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend

Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within.

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth, uh

Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

The truth is in the eyes

‘Cause the eyes don’t lie, amen

Remember a smile is just a frown turned upside down My friend

let me tell you Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth,

uh Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

Beware, beware of the handshake that hides the snake

I’m telling you beware, beware of the pat on the back

It just might hold you back

Jealousy (jealousy), Misery (misery), Envy.

I tell you you can’t see behind smiling faces

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth, uh

Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth, uh

Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)

(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)

I’m telling you beware, beware of the handshake that hides the snake

Listen to me now beware, beware of that pat on the back

It just might hold you back.

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth,

uh Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

Your enemy won’t do you no harm

‘Cause you know where he’s coming from

Don’t let the handshake and the smile fool ya

Take my advice I’m only tryin’ to school ya.

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes they don’t tell the truth, uh

Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof.

(c) Copyright 1971 by Jobete Music Co., Inc.

The lesson here is do not be fooled by appearances. The beautiful berry in the wild may be poisonous, even deadly. Evil may be hiding behind the smiling face and gregarious manner. As a card playing friend of mine once told me. “Trust everyone, but make sure you cut the cards.” The priest, policeman, the lover, may appear to be one thing but are actually something else. Please be careful…

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If we can create a special space for our meditation, we will gain added inspiration and it will help the mind settle. A meditation alter can set up in a small corner of a room, or if we are fortunate, we may only use the room for meditation. Some people convert tool sheds in their back yard into meditation huts. Find a space that you can use solely for meditation and this will be of great aid to your practice.

When a mind chases after any form of sensual desire, it runs away from understanding, the way a strong gale blows a tiny ship off course. Sensual desire is quite powerful. However, understanding its true nature helps to weaken its force. When we learn how it works, and how it negatively affects us, we can be wise and choose to avoid it. You cannot keep the bucket of sensual desire filled. It is full of cracks and holes. You can only continue to waste your time continuing to try.

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A special transmission outside the scriptures;
No dependence upon words and letters;
Direct pointing at the soul of man:
Seeing into one’s nature and the attainment of Buddhahood.

- Bodhi-Dharma, c 570

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Meditation should be viewed as a lifelong journey to discover the self. It is important to try and cultivate a dedication for meditation. Sitting every day whether we want to or not goes a long way to building up the discipline needed. We can also do this by associating with other people who also do meditation.

Know that the wise words from the Taoist and Buddhist sages are the best guide for the confused and deluded minds of people who wish to free themselves from chasing after sensual desire and to reach a contented inner peace. The teachings are the chisel to break the chains of suffering and the habitual ways we find ourselves enslaved in. They are the light that illuminates and allows us to see reality. Not the supposed reality of a world trapped in delusion, but the true reality that allows us to live a free and contented life; true to the Tao, and true to ourselves.

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Spring has its hundred flowers,
Autumn its moon,
Summer has its cooling breezes,
Winter its snow.
If you allow no idle concerns
To weight on your heart,
Your whole life will be one
Perennial good season.

-  The Golden Age of Zen

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Sometimes we meditate and feel we have had a good session. Other times, we meditate and feel we did not accomplish much. Remember though my friends, that it is important that we should not become discouraged just because of what our mind deems as an unsuccessful meditation. Quite often progress is being made even if it is not always immediately obvious.

The unwise one feels that he is only the body, and therefore he experiences the universe as being outside of himself. That is to say that he thinks that all things are existing or somewhere in space; in his view, earth or space are the base for all. The sage on the other hand, does not limit himself as a body and therefore knows that he is not in the universe but that it is in him. 

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The Three Thousand Worlds

that step forward

with the light snow,

and the light snow that falls

in those Three Thousand Worlds.

- Ryokan, 1758-1851

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Students of meditation often ask about whether they should have their eyes open or closed during mediation. Different methods teach one or the other. The best method is to determine what works best for you. If you are sleepy, one should keep their eyes open to avoid falling asleep. If one is wide awake but distracted easily, then the eyes should be closed at least half-way or totally. Experiment and see what is comfortable for you.

Just as it is impossible to trace the path through which a bird flew in the sky and the path through which a fish swam in the water, so it is also impossible to trace the path by which one has found synchronicity with the Tao. Each path is different, each step personal. The path can not be known or expressed with any authority that it is the true way.