Watching the clowds again. The Monkeys

[Guest guest]

True Clarity

 

Clarity is looking from the state before confusion arises, Before opinions or

compulsion arise. Paradoxically, clarity is being able to watch confusion,

opinions, or compulsions, from the state before any of them arise.

 

The blue sky is independent of the billowing clouds, and this prior, clear mind,

this Blue Sky Mind, doesn't get confused, even when clouds of confusion are

present. Even if our logical mind has a problem with this, we still have to

Return in order to understand.

 

Clarity. We just return over and over to this calm, unpressured Blue Sky Mind.

 

We begin to see that it's always there even when apparently obscured by passing

clouds. That's the way no matter what our practice might be.

 

-Maverick Sutras

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Zen teachers of all times share the common theme of attempting to help students

realize their true nature.

Finding a true teacher today can be quite a challenge, but even in days long ago

we find a similar situation <>there are teachers lost in their role as teacher

and needing to teach for other reasons.

 

To develop inner clarity, wherein one sees without obstructions, is one of our

challenges here. Whether in choosing a teacher to study with or following a Way

that takes us in other directions, the same clarity is functioning to help us.

 

Many people today are practicing alone and seeking a teacher. Others are finding

a way to practice alone because finding a teacher of Yuanwu's qualifications can

take years. Either way we all have within us Buddha nature, and within Buddhism

we recognize that it is within everyone's ability to realize that same inner

nature.

 

Finding the genuine pearls of wisdom to help here is where our inner

wisdom/clarity comes to the fore.

 

love, Era