January 28, 2013
In speaking about the non-dependence of the mind, Dōgen says, “Coming, going, the waterbirds don’t leave a trace, don’t follow a path.” There are many ways to understand. Driven by our need to be seen, the mind can understand in the manner that a plow cuts the earth, overturning everything it encounters; leaving nothing as it was found. Or as Dōgen suggests, in our need to see, the mind can understand in the manner that a waterbird enters and leaves water; with no trace, no path. Both ways of understanding have an intense history and lineage. But why does he call the waterbird way a non-dependent way? Perhaps because in our dependence on being seen, heard, approved, and recognized, we insert our presence over being present. We build roads to get from here to there and quickly make the road and its path the totality of our life over the life the road moves through. We do the same with dreams and ambitions. We create goals like roads to attain and achieve and quickly substitute the path-hacking effort through life for the life our effort opens us to. — Mark Nepo Photo © Pamir Kiciman 2013

In speaking about the non-dependence of the mind, Dōgen says, “Coming, going, the waterbirds don’t leave a trace, don’t follow a path.” There are many ways to understand. Driven by our need to be seen, the mind can understand in the manner that a plow cuts the earth, overturning everything it encounters; leaving nothing as it was found. Or as Dōgen suggests, in our need to see, the mind can understand in the manner that a waterbird enters and leaves water; with no trace, no path. Both ways of understanding have an intense history and lineage.

But why does he call the waterbird way a non-dependent way? Perhaps because in our dependence on being seen, heard, approved, and recognized, we insert our presence over being present. We build roads to get from here to there and quickly make the road and its path the totality of our life over the life the road moves through. We do the same with dreams and ambitions. We create goals like roads to attain and achieve and quickly substitute the path-hacking effort through life for the life our effort opens us to.

— Mark Nepo

Photo © Pamir Kiciman 2013

4:14pm
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July 10, 2012
"Stones are really alive, nature is really alive. True ecstasy is reached when we understand that we are part of every living thing, that the sphere of universal knowledge is within our own process. We have already found our way home; we are already enlightened. We just don’t realize it."

— Lynn V. Andrews   (via moreofamore)

(via moreofamore)

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January 12, 2012
ombuddha: Just think of the trees: they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come and no longing for their return when they fly away. If people’s hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way. Langya. Photo by Mullen Photography.

ombuddha:

Just think of the trees: they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come and no longing for their return when they fly away. If people’s hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way.

Langya.

Photo by Mullen Photography.

10:13am
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