Immediately the successor awakens, places the ceremonial robe over the shoulders of his master, and performs three prostrations of gratitude, abundant tears soaking his own upper robe.
Master: "You have now greatly awakened, but can you express it?"
Successor: "Yes."
Master: "What is going on beneath this robe of transmission?"
Successor: "Deep intimacy."
Master: "And even deeper intimacy."
What is this intimacy? It begins with yourself...becoming completely intimate with yourself. Through this intimacy with yourself, the possibility of being intimate with another arises. Because he was so intimate with himself, Suzuki Roshi could meet me completely when I bowed to him, and jump up and bow back to me, before I even knew it. When I was remembering that moment, I had this deep pain, wondering, will I ever be able to meet anyone as completely as he met me?