The Unity of All Things
A glimpse into my first real grasp of Dogen's teachings. This old post marks the beginning of my journey with his profound idea that practice itself is enlightenment.
More than once I've found myself thinking about something only to surf by Rev. Mugo's site and find her on the same wavelength.
I remember everything about the moment when it came to me that we don't train in order to become enlightened; more we train because it is enlightenment. Of course Zen Master Dogen makes this point over and over again in his writings. It is one thing to read something and quite another to make it one's own, so to speak. When a line of scripture suddenly becomes clear, it is all too easy to jump to the conclusion that you now understand what its meaning is. In one sense you do and in another you're no closer.
I've been immersed in Dogen lately. I feel like I've made some of it my own but it's difficult to discuss. I can't really put it in words any different than those found in The Shobogenzo. I can't come close to that even. Dogen's work is as close to that understanding as words will ever get.
Anyway, I sent off an email about this thought that I had to Rev. Mugo. Not that it's a big deal. But I wanted to share the experience (insight maybe?) with someone. I don't think I did a very good job explaining myself but I tried. I'd post it here but I feel foolish enough sending it to her as it is!
I'll leave you with something in this post that makes sense. Not my words of course:
"Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things." - Great Master Dogen
Originally posted on my blog, renegadebuddha.com, on March 10th, 2007. This was the real beginning of my deep appreciation for Zen Master Dogen.
I grabbed a screenshot of that post from Rev. Mugo's old blog, Moving Mountains, just for posterity's sake. It's still up after all these years and worth your time.
