Raven 16: The Spirit of Practice

About what, related to self-understanding, are you inquiring these days?

Case

Relaxing with the others after zazen one evening, Owl asked, “What is the spirit of practice?”
Raven said, “Inquiry.”
Owl cocked his head and asked, “What do I inquire about?” Raven said, “Good start.”

Verse

The better question isn't Why? It's What?
What is this? What is now and here?
This sensation, this emotion, this world presenting before me, This!
What is it? Curiosity is the path;
It leads not to knowledge, but to intimacy.

Case by Robert Aitken; introduction and verse by Meredith Garmon

PREVIOUS   ☙   NEXT   ☙   INDEX