I’sha
Zetsume
Absolute Shot, Absolute Life
Mushin (No-mind or Absolute Mind) is life in its absolute form, an expression of its natural harmony, and a mark of life which has achieved perfection. It is the most dynamic and creative state of being which is nevertheless experienced as a profound tranquility. One fully experiences these things as they are without being spun around by them and naturally acts according to the Way. Yamaoka Tesshu said:
When two swordpoints are crossed, there is no need to ward off. The best move is to return to the origin like the lotus flower blooming in the fire. Then the energy of heaven-soaring spirits springs spontaneously from the Original Nature.Sitting in zazen provides the easiest conditions for experiencing mushin. To abide in this state amidst the clamor of the world is infinitely more difficult. For this, shugyo (the deepest possible spiritual training) is necessary. Shugyo is like taking a lump of raw iron ore, throwing it in fire and water, and pounding it, over and over again until a flawless sword is made. A fencing master once trained a student by hitting him at every opportunity. After some years the student learned to keep alert and dodge the blows successfully. But the master still was not satisfied. One day when the master was cooking, the student tried to hit him over the head from behind. Without intention the master blocked the blow with the cover of a pot and opened his student’s mind to the working aspect of mushin.
One undergoes shugyo not to gain anything but to lose the attachments accumulated since birth. Losing day by day, one attains a great degree of maturity. One can see unity in opposition and can expect and not expect at the same time. Ultimately when all that is not real falls away, a person lives and dies as one with the life of the Universe.
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©
2005 Daihonzan Chozen-ji