Is It Okay For Zen Practitioners To Have Emotions?

This might seem like a silly question but the recent discussion of the experiences of Lou Nordstrom as presented in the “Enlightement Therapy” article (buzzin’ in the Zen whirl), invites a response. “…Don’t have any human emotions,” is one admonition that his teacher is quoted making to Nordstrom.

In my view, whether this is skillful or not depends on the context. If the teacher was encouraging the “dropping body and mind” or “not-thinking” or the “great death” where there are no human (or other) emotions, the instruction was appropriate. If it was a blanket statement, it’s whacked.

My own experience is that a secondary effect of Zen practice-verification is to open up the field of emotions as it facilitates letting go of whatever arises.

However, one might wonder whether this is in line with the ancients or is just some modern perversion. So I cite the passage below from Dogen’s Extensive Record. This isn’t at all the only passage in Dogen’s writing where he expresses grief and there are a lot where he sure sounds mad.

A little background first. Sokai received dharma transmission (shortly after Ejo and probably before the only other likely Dogen-transmitted disciple, Sen’ne) when in his early twenties and died from unknown causes at 27 prior to the move to Eiheiji. Seems like he must have been a dharma golden child, much like D-z. Below Dogen shows his broken heart – and his moving-on.

111. Dharma Discourse on Behalf of the Deceased Head Monk Sokai [Dogen] recited Sokai’s Death verse:

In twenty-seven years,
My ancient debt is not repaid.
Leaping over the empty sky,
I shoot myself into hell like an arrow.

After reciting this the teacher [Dogen] said: Last night Sokai (Sangha Ocean) dried up. How profusely the cloud and water monks have been crying! Although I see you [Sokai] down to the bottom, tears fill my breast like an overflowing lake. Yesterday I held up and shook the whisk for your spirit. With this one word upon your departure, I don’t wait for you to revive.