Now if a bird or a fish tries
to reach the end of its element before
moving
in it, this bird or this fish will not
find its way or its place. When you find
your place where you are, practice occurs,
actualizing the fundamental point. When
you find you way at this moment, practice
occurs, actualizing the fundamental point;
for the place, the way, is neither large
nor small, neither yours nor others'.
The place, the way, has not carried over
from the past and it is not merely arising
now.
Accordingly, in the practice-enlightenment
of the buddha way, meeting one thing
is mastering it—doing one practice is
practicing
completely.
Now if a bird or a fish tries to
reach the end of its element before moving in it,
this bird or this fish will not find its way or
its place.
If you
try to think your way too far in advance of where you
are, you’re
just bringing your habits forward.
Unlike the birds and fishes, we can think
about our element. How can a bird think about its element?
Thinking there’s
an element is thought.
Reflect on the ways your thinking about
your way, your place, affects your actualizing
the fundamental point. Are you trying to
reach beyond your element?
When you find your place where you
are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental
point.
Actualizing the the fundamental point
— that’s
the Genjo Koan. When you find your place where you are,
practice
occurs,
realizing
the cutting edge of your life. Bringing forth the
matter at hand.
Right
here is the fundamental point.
If you say “Oh I’ll
actualize the genjo koan when I move somewhere” or “If
only had a job I could actualize the fundamental point.
If only If only lived in the country I could actualize
the fundamental point. If only was married then I could
actualize the fundamental point." Then the fundamental
point is way far away. Right here is the fundamental
point.
It's really close. It may feel far away; but
you know it’s
close. Because if it’s far away, it’s really
far away. It’s far far away
When you find you way at this moment,
practice occurs, actualizing
the fundamental point
With the genjo koan.
for the place, the way, is neither
large nor small, neither yours nor others'
The place, the way, has not carried
over from the past and it is not merely arising
now.
Accordingly, in the practice-enlightenment
of the buddha way, meeting one thing is mastering
it--doing
one practice is practicing completely
