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<\/a><\/p>\nThis might seem like a silly question but the recent discussion of the experiences of Lou Nordstrom as presented in the <\/span>\u201cEnlightement Therapy\u201d<\/span><\/a> article (buzzin\u2019 in the Zen whirl), invites a response. \u201c\u2026Don\u2019t have any human emotions,\u201d is one admonition that his teacher is quoted making to Nordstrom.<\/span><\/p>\n In my view, whether this is skillful or not depends on the context. If the teacher was encouraging the \u201cdropping body and mind\u201d or \u201cnot-thinking\u201d or the \u201cgreat death\u201d where there are no human (or other) emotions, the instruction was appropriate. If it was a blanket statement, it\u2019s whacked. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 <\/span>Dogen\u2019s Extensive Record<\/em><\/span><\/a>. <\/em>This isn\u2019t at all the only passage in Dogen\u2019s writing where he expresses grief and there are a lot where he sure sounds mad. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n