March 2022
Dear Friends,
When some people consider the teaching, “Don’t be attached”, they assume this means we should be detached or disinterested. Not so. We are involved, and we care! When people hear the teaching of “emptiness”, they might suppose this refers to a state of vacancy. Nothing could be further from the truth! This confusion points out a failing of language to adequately describe what meditation really is, and why we practice it.
Perhaps a better way to understand these terms is to look at this photo by Eric Nord PSN, which expresses our meditation perfectly.
Or, if you prefer the vehicle of words, another way to attain the intended significance of “Don’t be attached” and “emptiness” would be to sit with this famous kong-an exchange:
A monk once asked Chao-chou, “I have just entered the monastery.
Please teach me, Master.”
Chao-chou said, “Have you had breakfast?”
“Yes, I have,” replied the monk.
“Then,” said Chao-chou, “wash your bowls.” The monk was enlightened.
May each one of us practice meditation in the spirit of clarity, which means to be open and continuously ready to be of service to this long-suffering world.
Yours in the service of dharma,
Jeong Ji
