Zen-7 Retreat

Just got back from our annual Zen-7 Retreat for abbots at Chung Tai. In a couple of days our own Zen-7 will commence at Sunnyvale Zen Center.

The Grand Master has said, "Zen-7 is an all-purpose tonic", yes, for the body and the mind. I feel it more deeply than ever this time.

• There is no replacement in the world for one's own diligent practice in meditation. Everyone needs it, though not everyone realizes it.
• When the left hand hits the right hand, both hands hurt.
• "I" is nothing but the "similar succession of thoughts". However, while this understanding illuminates the nature of the gross self, there is still a subtler "self" residing in each momentary instance of a thought.
• Even when one's mind can remain unmoved with whatever is happening, there is still a self and other.

There has never been a self,
There has never been the other.
When the left touches the right,
There is neither contact nor separation.
What is there to overcome?
What is the need to remain still?
All is empty as it is,
As all phenomena make their appearances.
Liberation is immediate.