Gate Eighteen
Read the following, place it in your heart and sleep on it. Then, tomorrow, live it until evening when you can leave a brief comment on what you may have received during the process.
Reflection on inconstancy is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we reflect upon the desires of the triple world.
A “Dharma Gate”, is a teaching or practice we can study to gain insights into the deepening our practice. It's a way to integrate our understanding of approaching reality.
The Koan:
"People call me Homeless Kodo, but I don't think they particularly intend to disparage me.They say "homeless" probably because I never had a temple or owned a house. Anyway, all human beings without exception are in reality, homeless. It's a mistake to think we have a solid home."
-The Zen Teachings of Homeless Kodo 1 pg 13
Most note worthy replies :
This is a good one. Certainly our practice requires a certain amount of reflection. The key is to make sure that reflection doesn’t turn into obsession and dwelling on what was.
I often think about the need for constancy--in practice, in diet, in exercise, in work, in...-- constancy or consistency is what helps us to meet the inconstant.
Leaf upon the wind
So pretty
But where will it land?
js/stlah
