Zen quote: A clear direction

Today's inspirational quote comes from Gerry Shishin Wick Roshi of Great Mountain Zen Centre in the US and past president of the White Plum Asangha. It's from his book The Five Ranks of Zen which comes highly recommended though perhaps not aimed at new practitioners. In it, he writes:

Enlightenment is the reality of life, without judgment, without concepts, without projections. Enlightenment does not mean that you understand everything and that you no longer have to practice. Even the Buddha practiced for many lifetimes. Realizing life’s Great Matter, gaining the Way, or attaining satori only means that you have clarified the true meaning of practice, clearly understand in which direction you should proceed, and know where you should place your intention and value in your life. It provides you with a clear direction. There is no more speculation or equivocation. You are comfortable in not-knowing.

I know when I started as a practitioner, I was determined to find the answers, to arrive at some Great Understanding that would answer all the questions I was struggling to formulate. And while of course I've learned all sorts of things along the way, Keizan Roshi's insistence that this is a path of not knowing has forced me to face up to unrealistic expectations that somehow Zen would just fix my life... Spoiler: that's not really happened! But at the same time, in my not knowing I've found a peace that means that the troubles of daily existence have much less hold on me, and ultimately I suffer less. 

Inspiration for Zen practice from Domyo Burk

 Came across this, from the wonderful Zen Studies Podcast (get it wherever you usually get your podcasts), by Domyo Burk. You can access the full transcript and podcast episode at zenstudiespodcast.com/205-motivation-for-practice-what-do-you-love-most-deeply - hope you find some inspiration!

In order to find motivation for diligent practice, it can help to identify and connect with what you love more than anything else in the whole world. What love makes your life worth living? Love for your children, grandchildren, animals, nature, music, beauty, justice, knowledge? What or who arouses an unconditional sense of affinity and inspiration in the core of your being? Then practice for the subject of your love, because practice makes you better able to access, express, and manifest your love.

She goes on to say:

It can be challenging to find motivation for any kind of healthy behavior, whether it’s exercise, study, healthy eating, or refraining from harmful stuff – anything that requires effort. Our Dharma practice is no different. We may have lots of motivation at certain times, but then find our interest and willingness flagging. We may find ourselves meditating less and less, and missing more and more Sangha events. We may stop studying, or give up trying to practice mindfulness in our daily lives...

In Soto Zen practice in particular it can be very difficult to motivate ourselves to bring energy and focus to our zazen, which is shikantaza, or just sitting. We’re told this isn’t even meditation practice, and that we’re trying cultivate “no gaining idea.” Teachings like “zazen is returning home and sitting in peace” (from Zen master Keizan), meant to be inspirational, can end up leading us to complacency and dullness...

Ideally, however, our zazen – and the rest of our practice – is extremely lively and full of energy. We pay attention as closely as if we were going to die this very day. We take every opportunity in this precious, short, and rare human life to learn, grow, and clean up our karma.

Domyo Burk, Bright Way Zen Center