The translator inserts <\/span> \n \u201ctranscendent wisdom\u201d to qualify \u201cone eye\u201d and \u201cdiscriminating consciousness\u201d to qualify <\/span>two eyes. I agree with his interpretation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nIt is central to the Zen tradition to open the wisdom eye of nonduality even once for a short period of time \u2013 or better, to realize that it\u2019s always been open but we\u2019ve been really busy looking off. Now that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re a spiritual failure if you don\u2019t know for yourself what this is about. After all, we\u2019re all in it together, success or failure.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The importance of the one eye no longer seems to be a popular view, at least in the American dharma<\/a> scene, maybe because it isn\u2019t easy and quick. How about over there in Europe? Anybody what to comment?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
In terms of the one eye, this practice is to just throw ourselves into zazen and our lives and leave the way to the way. The way often doesn\u2019t give us what we think we want when we want it.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t about lusting after some thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
And, by the way, if you do get a glimpse through the one eye, well, all hell might break loose in your life (also known as the fourth-sixth ox-herding pictures\/stages), contrary to the wishful thinking that after breakthrough our complexion will finally clear up, everyone will loves us, dogs will no longer bark as we pass by, etc. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Anyway, and on the other hand, Dogen also encourages us not to forget the eye of discriminating consciousness.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
No matter what Dogen said, discriminating consciousness often receives an unjust beating in Zen circles. \u201cIf you can think it, it isn\u2019t it.\u201d \u201cZen is beyond words and letters,\u201d etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
But where would we be without discriminating consciousness? Lobotomized zippy pinheads, completely dysfunctional. Ethics, compassion, and making a contribution to this world all require discriminating consciousness.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Imho, discriminating consciousness is our best friend, especially when we undertake a spiritual journey. In Zazenshin, <\/i>the subject of the Saturday workshop, we\u2019ll look at this more specifically in terms of how Dogen emphasizes the importance of thinking in sitting fixedly.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Further, if the buddhadharma is going to impact future generations, it will be through the deep thinking that comes from our practice and that we then bring into the blossoming global culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Discriminating consciousness.\u00a0 Don\u2019t leave home without it. <\/span> <\/div>\n
![](\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_0uPSljNE9f4\/S6Frq_2HCII\/AAAAAAAAA00\/Em2eWeBcTjQ\/s1600-h\/101_1132.JPG\")
<\/a><\/div>\n