Gain such discernment as this, and you’re not turned this way and that by circumstances

Someone asked, “What is the state in which the four elements [and four phases] are formless?”

The master said, “An instant of doubt in your mind and you’re obstructed by earth; an instant of lust in your mind and you’re drowned by water; an instant of anger in your mind and you’re scorched by fire; an instant of joy in your mind and you’re blown about by wind. Gain such discernment as this, and you’re not turned this way and that by circumstances; making use of circumstances everywhere—you spring up in the east and disappear in the west, spring up in the south and disappear in the north, spring up in the center and disappear at the border, spring up at the border and disappear in the center, walk on the water as on land, and walk on the land as on water.

• Linji

Submitted June 28, 2017 at 01:09AM by Sunn_Samaadh http://ift.tt/2rYPXOu