Nothing to Do, Nowhere to Go
Waking Up To Who You Are
by Thich Nhat Hanh
One of my favorite authors, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh has created a loving tribute to an eighth century Chinese Zen Buddhist Master teacher, Linji. (He coined the term, ‘If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha’)
Master Linji taught enlightenment by sudden blows with a stick, and shouts. Efficiently teaching his fellow man to ‘Wake up!’
I loved that the author assisted me in getting the most out of this book, by suggesting that the reader start at the back ½ of the book, to more fully understand the first ½. And so reading the Practices based on the teachings of Master Linji (some wonderful meditations herein), then the Commentaries: Evening Tales, one gets the preparation for the Zen Battles.
I resonated with this quote, ‘The person who has nothing to do is sovereign of herself. She doesn’t need to put on airs or leave any trace behind.’ ‘She lives in awareness as an ordinary person, whether standing, walking, lying down or sitting. She doesn’t act a part, even the part of a great Zen master.’ What better training?
Teaching us not to chase after things outside ourselves, we learn to be open to the precious present that is within us at any given time. ‘You are here, present in this very moment. The radiance is in you, the clear mind is in you, the light is in you.’
What confirmation!
I know you will enjoy reading the wisdom and good report of this valuable book, ‘Nothing to do, Nowhere to Go’. It can be purchased online at: www.parallax.org as well as other venues Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com. Soft side sells for $14.95.
Happy Reading!
Rev Dr Sandra Gaskin