Take It Easy, Vol 1
Discourses
Table of Contents
Back From the Leaky Road
Back From the Leaky Road. A rest on the way back from the leaky road—the road of the ego leaks energy. Back from the leaky road: the ego's road leaks—energy dissipates through desire, anxiety, ambition. Turn back. The return is not to a place but to yourself. Take it easy—the road back is effortless.
Death in the Ego is Life in Love
Death in the Ego is Life in Love. When the ego dies, love is born. Death in the ego is life in love: two deaths—the ego's and love's birth. They happen simultaneously. The ego can't love—it can only possess. When the ego dies, love flowers. Take it easy—die to the ego and live in love.
All Lies and Nonsense!
All Lies and Nonsense! The mind's stories are all lies. All lies and nonsense! the master exposes the mind's fabrications. What you call your life story is lies and nonsense. The truth is beyond all stories. Take it easy—drop the nonsense and rest in truth.
Live Dangerously!
Live Dangerously! The spiritual path is dangerous—you risk everything. Live dangerously! not recklessness but total commitment. The safe never reach—the dangerous ones do. Risk the known for the unknown. Take it easy—but live dangerously.
... And we are in Love
... And we are in Love. The state of being in love—with existence. And we are in love: not romantic love but cosmic love. The sage is in love with all that is. This love is not an achievement—it's a recognition. Take it easy—you're already in love, just didn't know it.
The Cosmic Simultaneity of All
The Cosmic Simultaneity of All. Everything happens simultaneously in the cosmic now. The cosmic simultaneity of all: past, present, future are simultaneous in the cosmic consciousness. The linear mind sees sequence; the sage sees simultaneity. Everything is now. Take it easy—there's nowhere to go.
The Whiskers of the Pebble
The Whiskers of the Pebble. Zen's absurd answers—whiskers on a pebble. The whiskers of the pebble: the impossible made possible through Zen. The absurd is the door. Don't try to understand—laugh. The pebble has no whiskers, yet Zen gives it some. Take it easy—the absurd is the truth.
In Search of a Ghost
In Search of a Ghost. Searching for the self is searching for a ghost. In search of a ghost: the self you're searching for doesn't exist—it's a ghost. You chase it everywhere and never find it. Stop searching—the ghost vanishes when you stop. Take it easy—there was never a ghost.
Do you smell the mountain laurels?
Do you smell the mountain laurels? Direct experience—not thinking about but smelling. Do you smell the mountain laurels? Zen brings you to direct perception. Don't think about the flower—smell it. Don't think about life—live it. Take it easy—just smell.
Only Man is Capable of Boredom
Only Man is Capable of Boredom. Animals don't get bored—only man does. Only man is capable of boredom: boredom is uniquely human—the mind needs novelty. The sage is never bored—each moment is fresh. Boredom is the disease of consciousness that hasn't matured. Take it easy—mature beyond boredom.
The Lotus Flower of the Law
The Lotus Flower of the Law. The dharma blooms like a lotus—unsullied. The lotus flower of the law: the Buddha's teaching is a lotus—beautiful, pure, rooted in mud. The law (dharma) is not a rule but a flower. Take it easy—let the law bloom.
Gladly Beyond any Experience
Gladly Beyond any Experience. Beyond all experiences—consciousness itself. Gladly beyond any experience: experiences come and go; the witness remains. Don't cling to experiences—go beyond them. The beyond is not another experience—it's the end of experiencing. Take it easy—go beyond.
Daruma, the Cat and the Ladle
Daruma, the Cat and the Ladle. Bodhidharma and ordinary life—Zen is in the kitchen. Daruma, the cat and the ladle: Zen is not in the temple—it's with the cat, the ladle, the daily life. Bodhidharma didn't sit in a temple—he sat facing a wall. Take it easy—Zen is everywhere.
I am Also a Plumber
I am Also a Plumber. The master is ordinary—also a plumber. I am also a plumber: the sage is not special—he's also a plumber, also ordinary. Enlightenment doesn't make you extraordinary—it makes you supremely ordinary. Take it easy—even plumbers are Buddhas.