An Animation of Spirit

A Face on the Window

Nasreddin heard news that the richest man in town would give charity to all poor people there. Nasreddin wanted to come there soon but he also had to finish his job at home. So, first he did his job quickly and then ran to the rich man's house.

Maktub

"Maktub" means "It is written." The Arabs feel that "It is written" is not really a good translation, because, although everything is already written, God is compassionate, and wrote it all down just to help us.

Make No Distinctions

In the mysterious Oneness

Of the universe

None is better

None is worse

~C. Alexander Simpkins~

The Gates of Heaven and The Gates of Hell

Long ago, there was an accomplished swordsman. The king heard about his great skill and summoned him to teach his army what he knew. In those days, you did not refuse an invitation from the king, and so the swordsman made the trip to the palace. When he finally arrived, the king gathered all his top guards to join in on the lesson. The swordsman said, "I can beat anyone with only two techniques. No one can stop me."

Equanimity

Equanimity means a balance mind

Equanimity means a mind without craving or aversion

Equanimity means not wanting unpleasant sensation to cease
and not wanting pleasant sensation
to continue

Spiritual State

The spiritual state is the manifestation of the disciple’s attraction, including his physical attraction, towards the spirit.

The heart reacts in this way because it is not used to divine Light and that effects all of one’s being including the body.

~Sufi Wisdom~

Personal Transformation

Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free:

stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.

This is the ultimate.

~Chuang-tzu in Hyams 1982, 57~

Guardian Angel

The first question which we should ask is what exactly are Angels? For some people these are bright living lights, for others the essence of ancestors come to protect and shelter, some people believe Angels fly high in the sky and others still believe that these beings stay at our sides. It is difficult to respond precisely to this question but one thing is sure; Angels are out there and they give us constant reminders of their presence.

Creating the uncreated

In the silence

Between the spaces

We can hear

Sounds, thoughts, pictures,

So clear

~C. Alexander Simpkins~

Relation With Nature

This intimate relationship with plants and animals means more than a sentimental love of Nature. What is meant is a productive relationship, which discovers the essence of things, sees as it were into their hearts. Carrying "Nothing" in the hearts means possesing the highest and the ultimate--"Everything," the universe itself.

~Herrigel~

Oneness With Nature

Ocean's tides sweep over sand

We rest in the open palm

Of Nature's hand

~C. Alexander Simpkins~

Change

For a long time now I have not been taking my place as a man along with the process of change. And if I do not take my place as a man with the process of change, how can I hope to change other men?

~Chuang-tzu~

Silence is Thunder

The Zen masters all proclaim that there is no enlightment whatever which you can claim to have attained. If you sau you have attained something, this is the surest proof that you have gone astray. Therefore, not to have is to have; silence is thunder.

Attain The Unattainable

Subhuti asked the Buddha, "World-Honored One, is the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind that the Buddha attained the unattainable?"

The Buddha said, "That is right Subhuti. Regarding the most fulfilled, awakened mind, I have not attained anything. That is why it is called the highest, most fulfilled, awakened mind."

The School of Aryadeva

The school of Aryadeva is so hard to analyze.

Snow piled up in a silver bowl.

Who could have said it better than that?

The same wind blows across earth,

Mountains, rivers;

It leaves all human and heavenly

Realms refreshed, pure

~Daito~

Keep Thinking About It

A student asked Hakuin, "What can I do to become awakened to my own mind?"

Hakuin answered with a series of questions: "What is it that asks the questions? Is it your mind? Is it your original nature? Is it some kind of spirit or demon? Is it inside you? Outside you? Is it somewhere in between? Is it blue, yellow, red, or white?".

Hakuin advises to keep thinking about "it" with single-minded devotion no matter what you are doing.

Never Make Your Mind Into A Mirror

A Zen student was trying very hard to make his mind clear like a mirror. He sat quietly and tried to think of nothing. But thoughts inevitably kept distracting him. Feeling in despair he asked his master, "No matter how hard I try, I cannot clear my mind! What should I do?"

The master picked up a tile that was on the ground and began polishing it with his robe. Confused, the student asked, "Master, what are you doing?"

"I am polishing this tile to make it into a mirror."

"That's impposible! You cannot make a tile into a mirror," said the student.

The master smiled. "Nor can you make your mind into a mirror!"

Empty Your Cup

The master continued preparing the tea without a word. The scholar said, "I wanted to ask you about the idea of emptiness. How does it relate to the philosophical concept of being and nonbeing?"

The master silently handed him a cup and began to pour.

The student continued on with his many thoughts about philosophy: "I have thought a lot about theories of being and nonbeing. I have read Aristotle, Plato, and the existentialists. Sartre had an interesting theory, and of course Camus dealt with it. I think..."

The master kept pouring and pouring until the tea began spilling out.

Startled, the student said, "Master! My cup is overflowing!"

The master smiled and said simply, "As is your mind. How can I show you Zen if you don't first empty your cup?"

The Mind Ground

The teaching of the mind ground

Is the basis of Zen study.

The mind ground is the 

Great awareness of being as is.

~Fayan~