“Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”
Like this cup, Nan-in said, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”
– In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate.
– Retire at a regular hour. Partake of food at regular intervals. Eat with moderation and never to the point of satisfaction.
– Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when alone. When alone, maintain the same attitude you have in receiving guests.
– Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice it.
– When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet always think twice before acting.
– Do not regret the past. Look to the future.
– Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.
– Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.
Soyen Shaku
Alan Watts on Death.
“I think nowadays though, the more general idea, the more plausible idea to many people; is that when we die we just cease to be. That’s all there is to it. But we’re inclined I think, to have in our minds, a picture of this. Which indeed is depressing. Of being shut up in the dark for always, and always, and always. To be kind of buried alive in a blackness. Where we are blind, deaf and dumb but somehow still conscious..”
Alan Watts
“I think nowadays though, the more general idea, the more plausible idea to many people; is that when we die we just cease to be. That’s all there is to it. But we’re inclined I think, to have in our minds, a picture of this. Which indeed is depressing. Of being shut up in the dark for always, and always, and always. To be kind of buried alive in a blackness. Where we are blind, deaf and dumb but somehow still conscious..”
Alan Watts