5 4 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 2 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 6 other. With this understanding, all phenomena are the wonderful manifestation of the original Spirit. When I walk, the solitude becomes that of myriads of existences in one only presence. This uninterrupted current is the natural pace of all the vacuity-phenomena and, in this movement, there is perfect coincidence. Like an echo, we can respond to circumstances. Everything, then, echoes itself. As the mountain echoes The white eagle, The dark river echoes The pilgrim trees. As long as you are attached to the notions of “realization”, “illumination”, “ordinary” and “Spirit of the Buddha”, you are losing your way on secondary tracks. You must leave the road that keeps you away from the great liberation. One must stop believing to be on a path, as wonderful as it may be, stop adopting a “special” attitude that defines you as a seeker, a disciple or a master. It is not necessary to define oneself, to want to convince, or have the desire to save anyone. To say the truth, I have nothing to offer you, in the same way that the sun has nothing to offer the sun. I have shown you the posture of zazen which my own Master showed me, so that you will actualize what you have always been. But if, after I have left, some come and talk to you about the life of the Buddhas as a goal to seek, or a state to reach by I don‘t know what kind of spiritual practice or other prayers, don‘t let yourselves be deceived by such words and don‘t fall into the thousand nets of ignorance. When, suddenly, clouds unveil the transparent sky of the Reality, you discover that both subject and object are “you” and, this way, you obtain the mysterious, inexpressible comprehension. Finally, what counts before everything else, when one thought mingles with another, is to not be concerned with either of them. Dear audience, for many years, I have done nothing else but transmit the Dharma of peace and happiness. Once comfortably seated in the posture, let the body relax, shoulders released. Become “one“ with the breathing, but not in a continuous way. Let the inspiration run its course and then disappear. Let the expiration run its course and then disappear. Leave the spirit aside by not participating in the actions of the thoughts. So, this way, they come and wear out freely. Do not look for any particular state of mind. Become one with the posture and the breathing. The spirit will then calm down of its own accord, becoming lucid and clear. Do not focus on limpidity. Do not fix your mind anywhere, on vacuity or anything else. Do not fabricate the natural. It installs itself naturally. To be vigilant does not depend on any special or voluntary concentration. Lucidity is present where there is calmness. Do not look for peace, it is where lucidity resides. There is no sacred action or anything to venerate, no prayer to address, no sainthood, no mobility or immobility. And, lastly, surrender to one‘s ordinary spirit. Clouds in the sky and water on the earth. The state of Buddha has no fixed form. If one becomes fixed on the sitting position or on the spirit, one will not harmonize with the Principle. Some masters have said: “The zen has nothing to do with the sitting position, lying or standing.“ How true were those words! At the time, they were meant for those preoccupied with the sitting posture and seeking the Buddha there; unaware that the Buddha has no particular form. By sitting in the posture, we trace the Buddha sitting, by standing, we portray the Buddha standing. To abandon all concerns is the fact of sitting with nothing special in mind, letting go of everything and, especially, abandoning even what we have abandoned... Question: But I have heard one has to make a great effort to awaken? Answer: One should not be on the alert in the manner of a hunter looking out for his prey. To be awake is simply to do what there is to do with the greatest simplicity, and a spirit of awareness. Awakening takes its source in the Spirit. If the spirit is free from all obstacles, awakening lights up of itself. It does not depend on effort or no effort. It is your own spirit! The Buddha, is it enlightenment? It is your own spirit!
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