We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
The Flame That Neither Comes Nor Goes
The act of going is taking place, but there is no “goer” to be found; just as the “act of going” cannot be separated from the “time of going.” If we admit that there is the act of going within the time of going, then there will be two “goings”: one is the “time of going,” and two is the “time of going itself going,” which is like handing over the role of master to time instead of the subject. This is logically contradictory, because the action (going) requires an actor, but if the actor already exists, then there is no need for “going” anymore.
The concepts of coming and going are only two relative manifestations of birth and death, grasped by the discriminating mind. Looking more deeply in accordance with the nature of reality (suchness) or manifestation-only, there is no birth – no death, no coming – no going, no being – no non-being; there is only manifestation and the hidden, operating gently according to causes and conditions. When contemplating the flame of a candle—which “is flying” rather than “going anywhere”—one can clearly see its nature of non-self, signlessness: neither coming, nor going, neither permanent, nor self, completely free in nirvana.
