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as flowing waters disappear into the mist by Shih Shu (1660? - 1740?) Timeline English version by James H. Sanford Original Language Chinese Buddhist : Zen / Chan 17th Century as flowing waters disappear into the mist we lose all track of their passage. every heart is its own Buddha; to become a saint, do nothing. enlightenment: the world is a mote of dust, you can look right through heaven's round mirror slip past all form, all shape and sit side by side with nothing, save Tao.     -- from A Drifting Boat: Chinese Zen Poetry, Edited by J. P. Seaton / Edited by Dennis Maloney Amazon.com   / Photo by oddsock /	Themes   Heart   Water       Recommended Books The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: Buddhist Poet Monks of China, Edited by Red Pine A Drifting Boat: Chinese Zen Poetry, Edited by J. P. Seaton / Edited by Dennis Maloney Sunflower Splendor: Three Thousand Years of Chinese Poetry, Edited by Wu-chi Liu / Edited by Irving Yucheng Lo
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Just reading these words tensions cease, the mind settles, and the glow of a deep truth naturally shines forth.

I especially like these lines:

every heart is its own Buddha;
to become a saint, do nothing.

What we look for when we seek the Buddha, or enlightenment, or the Truth, is already seated within our own hearts. The way to enlightenment is not to do more -- make new journeys, comprehend new teachings, perfect new practices, think more profound thoughts. Those can be important aids, yes, but the real goal is always to discover what is already in the heart. When the seat of the Buddha has not been discovered, it is because we are still distracting ourselves with too much doing.

This is not what we're taught as we try to find a place in the world. We are always pressed to Do. Do more. Do brilliantly. Do efficiently. Do.

But try it sometime: Do less. Do nothing. Try to understand what doing nothing means. It is not about being inactive or unproductive. Truly doing nothing is internal, when not only thoughts are quiet, but the selfish will no longer exerts itself, when the subtle energies from which the mind arises have settled. You won't believe the immense sense of relief you'll then feel! Like a cramped muscle relaxing for the first time in years.

Don't do more. Don't do at all. Do nothing. Hey, the weekend's coming up....

Much love to everyone!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.