As fluid as the ocean

A reminder to hold our thoughts, ideas and, even our identity, somewhat lightly.

The Buddha once said in verse:

Of various elements is this body of Mine composed.
The time of its arising is merely an arising of elements;
The time of its vanishing is merely a vanishing of elements.
As these elements arise, I do not speak of the arising of an ‘I’,
And as these elements vanish, I do not speak of the vanishing of an ‘I’.

Previous instants and succeeding instants are not a series of instants that depend on each other;
Previous elements and succeeding elements are not a series of elements that stand against each other.
To give all of this a name, I call it ‘the meditative state that bears the seal of the Ocean’.

We need to make a diligent effort to fully explore these words of the Buddha.


Dogen, 1200- 1253, Shobogenzo

Dropping the question

The question of meaning in life is, as the Buddha thought, not edifying.

One must immerse oneself into the river of life and let the question drift away.

Irvin Yalom, The Gift of Therapy