An ancient Zen story explains how the famous teacher Joshu became enlightened. One day, he approached a wise monk, Nansen, asking about the path to happiness.
“Ordinary mind is the way,” Nansen replied.
Joshu did not understand so he asked again: “How do I know the way?”
“Knowledge is delusion; not knowledge is confusion. The way is clear and open like space,” Nansen said.
When Joshu heard that, he attained understanding of the way.
Because I teach for a living, I was puzzled at first about the idea of knowledge as “delusion.” But after a while I realized that Nansen was pointing at taking one more step beyond knowledge–when applied to the present moment, knowledge becomes experience. It is within the realm of your experience, moment by moment, that the way becomes clear. If you can see clearly “what is” in front of you, moment by moment, then the way is open and clear.
Now take a few moments and practice mindful breathing:
- In your own life, what is the way for you?
- Again, breathe in deep, breathe out slow.
- Ask yourself. How do you find happiness, moment by moment, in your life?
“Where is your happiness in this moment?”
Juan