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This and This rather than This or That


Zen Master Hyakujō Ekai, is famously quoted as saying, "A day of no work, is a day of no eating." This is often understood as, don't be a lazy person, or "Earn your keep." Simple... true... and yet still a shallow takeaway.


When dealing with Eastern cultures, it's incredibly important to not only be attuned to what's direct but also not so directly noticed or understood. Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate!


So yes, "A day of no work is no eating..." AND... a day of not being open-minded and curious... having a Discovery channel Mind of wonderment, as to what's directly in front of us, can be a wasted opportunity to discover more than perhaps what fixed thoughts dulling the blade of authentic Self are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually available to appreciate.


We can experience the entire universe in a single conversation, if we're clear, direct, and have a zen Presence, beginners Presence. The same could be said for making a meal... or tending to a flower... or something as so apparently mundane as filling out paperwork in our office, and Being Intuitively Aware of the elements that brought the paper into being that were scribbling on. Nothing and no-thing is here by magic. This is one of the deepest aspects of Zen... Wholesomeness... that in some direct and indirect way, everything is seamlessly connected.


This is known in Buddhism... the practice of Universal Loving Presence as "Dependent Origination." Things are not as they appear, nor are they otherwise... or a single crystal can have many side and yet, each side can still be pointing towards one central thing.


一Our Life is Our Meditation Practice.

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