August 10th ~ We are trying to find out if there is, or is not, a permanent state–not what we would like, but the actual fact, the truth of the matter. Everything about us, within as well as without–our relationships, our thoughts, our feelings–is impermanent, in a constant state of flux. Being aware of this, the mind creates permanency, a perpetual state of peace, of love, of goodness, a security that neither time nor events can destroy; therefore it creates the soul, the Atman, and the visions of a permanent paradise. But this permanency is born of impermanency, and so it has within it the seeds of the impermanent. There is only one fact: impermanence.
November 29th, 2019 ~ This reminds me of what Suzuki Roshi said: “I have come to believe in nothing.” Zen starts out in saying everything is impermanent. But ultimately, nothing is anything, including impermanence. No thing exists, even impermanence. This makes sense. But can we see it?