Friday, June 5, 2009

The Two Gates Into Ryōzenji

Entering Ryōzenji on day 1 and entering Ryōzenji on day 50 both require passing through the main gate. The challenge of the henro trail is to make sure that the person entering on those two occasions are different. Not different, but not the same.

A December wind in Chicago and a December wind in Sydney. Both come from the north, and pass to the south. Yet, one brings a shiver and the other brings a smile. Two winds — not different, but not the same.

The purpose of the "henro" trail is to provide an arena where we learn to transcend the mediocrity that has become our lives; where we learn to let go of our stories and ideas so that who we have become can expand into who we are.

Passing through the gate on day 1 is a person in henro garb. Passing through the gate on day 50 could be a henro in a person's garb. That's the task you give yourself when you accept the challenge of the henro trail.


A certain person came to the Friend’s door and knocked.

"Who’s there?"

"It’s me."

The Friend answered, "Go away. There’s no place for raw meat at this table."

The individual went wandering for a year.

Nothing but the fire of separation can change hypocrisy and ego. The person returned completely cooked, walked up and down in front of the Friend’s house, gently knocked.

"Who is it?"

"You."

"Please come in, my Self, there’s no place in this house for two."


Rumi



Neither north nor south, the wind just blows.

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