I guess most people would’ve said that tonight (May 3, 2007) was the night of a full moon. Personally, i think tonight was the first night of a waning moon. ‘Twas was still big, bright and gravid enough to be mistaken for a full one, though.
In any case, long shall i remember the third night of May 2007 as one of lucid Zen.
Had quite a magical drive to the gig.
Began with what could’ve been a mind-fogging event. As i was backing our car out of the garage, wind blew gate into left front fender, denting it severely.
If i hadn’t just come from a deep 45 minute jazz-zen sit, this fender bender might have dislodged my center. By the Tao’s grace, however, my center was maintained.
Sighed mournfully and spat a small mouthful of curses, then assessed the damage and made a quick calculation of likely fiscal dimage.
Hmmm… sige lang. Kaya ‘yan. Do-able. Annoying unexpected expense which could easily have been avoided with a tad more mental presence on our helper’s part. But do-able nonetheless.
And not worth parting with my center for.
Went back into the zone.
One point. Pure awareness. Awareness of awareness itself.
Awareness extended silver tendrils into everything around it.
Mind was Universe and Universe, Mind.
Traffic from Paranaque to Pasig was unexplainably sparse. The few dense vehicular thickets encountered were easily threaded through. Any knots seen were unravelled easily.
It really is true. Mind is universe. And universe, mind.
The calm beauty of it — when truth is gleaned, universe reflects state of mind.
Calm mind equals calm surroundings. Unknotted mind witnesses knot-free world.
Each moment is as the consciousness which perceives it.
* * *
Music played at the gig was equally magical. Everyone — drummer, bassist, guitarist, vocalist — was on the same page.
"Ang sarap, ah!", i exclaimed.
"May libog," Skarlet nodded.
"Mainit ang sabaw ng lahat," Alex the drummer proclaimed.
The Simon Tan nodded sagely and beamed, beatific.
Pregnant kensho moon shone overhead, bathing mind and universe in nirvanic light.
* * *
An arrogant samurai once accosted a Zen monk and challenged him thus — "Hey! Old man! Is there really a Heaven and a Hell?"
Samurai drew his sword, meaning to cow Zen monk into acknowledgement of warrior mind’s superiority over no-mind.
"Here, open the gates of hell," Zen monk replied as samurai brandished his sword threateningly.
Kensho pierced maya’s veil.
Samurai self dissolved. Awareness awoke.
"Here, open the gates of heaven," the monk said as sword was lowered.
* * *
Mind wields sword. Mind is sharp, sword cuts.
Mind is clear, sword is irrelevant.
Mind wields car.
Clear mind, no traffic
Mind wields musical instrument.
Mind is one with all, mundane world disappears.
Music sings angelsong to a kensho moon.
Moon shines overhead.
Woof.
