BOOK OF EQUANIMITY- case 20

[RichardH]

Did a lot of practice with the local Kwan Um group a couple of years back. They had a great little Zendo that was shared with the Dharma Drum folks. There wasn't much talk and they were very disciplined. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I felt at home with that style. Two things frequently repeated.. "Don't check, just do" and "Only don't know" . I always found the term "Don't check" very direct . No checking, no being sure.... not sure what's what... haven't "got it"......no getting. Arms swinging around looking for something to hold? ....nothing to hold. Don't get it, don't know, no reaching, no getting.

[Rich]

"Don't check, just do" and "Only don't know" .

I think this is the same as just sitting. I use to check myself constantly now I'm more into checking other people's speech and feelings and how best to respond (help the situation). No kind of checking would be the ideal. Failure is part of the landscape but 'don't know' leaves you open to success. Rambling of the day.

[Risho]

Rich Thank you! When I answered "I don't know", I didn't know, but it wasn't the don't know that you and Kojip are talking about. This post just rang a bell: Beginner's Mind....

Gassho,

Risho

[AlanLa]

I do know this: The ability to admit to not knowing is a serious sign of maturity. Most of us go through this phase of late childhood where we think we have it all figured out, and then we spend of the rest of our lives learning that we really don't know all that much after all. I think this is especially true in terms of spiritual maturity. I also know that I am concerned about those that think they really do know. But what do I know?

Zazen is about disengagement from the life narrative that I am constantly creating, even the buddhist narrative, and maybe especially from the zazen narrative; it's the dropping of knowing, the non-act of not-knowing, such a futile and beautiful non-exercise.

[Thane]

Hi everyone.

This koan really spoke to me. I find it can be easy to be caught up in the mind and grasp after a state of not knowing of a feeling of i have cracked it now. I can remember coming back from sesshing thinking that i had cracked the practice. Time usually showed it wasnt as simple as that!

This koan spoke to me as it reminded me,at a time of over thinking,

[Thane]

Sorry my response is continued i pressed reply by mistake.

That not knowing is not an intellectual game but much more. In fact it is the most intimate. A lovely teaching and reminder.

Gassho

Thane

[Ed]

Don't know. Sharp blade slices wart on tip of my nose. Understanding has ruined it.

Gassho, sensei.

[Jishin]

Please consider these questions:


When you get up, what happens then?

I say shit!


Does not knowing has a colour or shape?

No.


Does it speak?

No.


How big are the legs?

No legs.


How far its arms can reach out?

No arms.


How to know not knowing?

Don't know.


How can it be known?

Can not.


Where are you in this knowing?

Don't know.


Still there?

I think so.


Gassho in not knowing



Taigu

Gassho back,

JC

[Taigu]

Dear JC,

Military.

Your style is military style.

It can be known... "by the Way"

gassho as is

Taigu

[Taigu]

Pretty close Samsara, too intimate? too close?

Be simple

and thank youfor your answer


gassho


T.

[Taigu]

I like Al's good old voice, knowing is the separation.

gassho

T.

[Jishin]

Taigu,

I was in the US Navy many moons ago.

Gasho,

JC

[Ed]

who knows here?
above abyss, leaps back
no trace


_/\_

[Daitetsu]

I stumbled upon the following passage from "The Complete Chuang Tzu" (Translation by James Legge).
Actually, this is a Taoist text (I hope it is OK to post it), so please don't feel disturbed by the term "Tao" - I think it's the meaning that counts...

[…]
We look for it, and there is no form; we hearken for it, and there is no sound. When men try to discuss it, we call them dark indeed. When they discuss the Tao, they misrepresent it.'
Hereupon Grand Purity asked Infinitude, saying,
'Do you know the Tao?'
'I do not know it,' was the reply. He then asked Do-nothing, who replied, 'I know it.'
'Is your knowledge of it determined by various points?'
'It is.'
'What are they?'
Do-nothing said,
'I know that the Tao may be considered noble, and may be considered mean, that it may be bound and compressed, and that it may be dispersed and diffused. These are the marks by which I know it.'
Grand Purity took the words of those two, and asked No-beginning, saying,
'Such were their replies; which was right? and which was wrong? Infinitude's saying that he did not know it? or Do-nothing's saying that he knew it?'
No-beginning said,
'The "I do not know it" was profound, and the "I know it" was shallow. The former had reference to its internal nature; the latter to its external conditions.
Grand Purity looked up and sighed, saying,
'Is "not to know it" then to know it? And is "to know it" not to know it? But who knows that he who does not know it (really) knows it?'
No-beginning replied,
'The Tao cannot be heard; what can be heard is not It.
The Tao cannot be seen; what can be seen is not It. The Tao cannot be expressed in words; what can be expressed in words is not It. Do we know the Formless which gives form to form? In the same way the Tao does not admit of being named.'

Gassho,

Timo

[Amelia]

Is there a difference between Tao and Dharma?