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Autumn Retreat - The Recorded Sayings of Linji

Thich Nhat Hanh · November 13, 2003 · New Hamlet, Plum Village, France

“The practice of non-practice, the cultivation of non-cultivation, the realization of non-realization”—that is, there is no path outside for us to practice, and no fruit to attain; when the mind of seeking the Way arises, countless “false conditions” come into being, but when the “sword of wisdom” is drawn, nothing remains, darkness naturally dissipates in the light (Light has not yet appeared, but in the head of darkness there is light). Do not seek outside, but look deeply into the present life to recognize what truly needs to be cared for: practice right at the place of our own lack, only then can we be light and at ease.

In every present moment, “mind is not different from mind”—like the wave recognizing itself as water, in light there is darkness, in darkness there is light, there is no need to discriminate or set up oppositions to struggle. Eating rice is just eating rice, sweeping the house is just sweeping the house, sitting meditation is just sitting meditation; practicing mindfulness with each breath, each step, we dwell in “the ordinary mind is the Way” and become a Buddha, a Patriarch right in our daily activities. A single moment of clear awareness is enough to redeem all of time, to help ourselves and to save all those around us.

Previous Talk November 9, 2003

1h 1m

Do What You Can Do in the Present Moment

Next Talk November 16, 2003

51m