Friday, April 13, 2012

Now Meeting Directly

When we encounter someone, whether an intimate friend or family member, an acquaintance, or even just on the media seeing, hearing a public official, do we see them as they are now? Do we see any preconceptions or beliefs we hold about them, about the so-called past and future, that hinder our ability to hear, to see, and to respond as this is now, as they are now?

To rephrase Dogen from Genjokoan, though the present encounter has its before and after, despite this past and future, the present is independent of them.

To encounter this moment as is, to encounter this meeting together, even to hear and see what is being said and done, and to be able to respond now, it is vital for us to let go of attachment to the blinders and shades that we bring along.

(c) 2012 Elihu Genmyo Smith