Value of Letting Go Preconceptions
A Zen master is called on by the governor.
His attendant presented a card which had his name followed by
"Governor of Kyoto."
"I had no business with such a person," said the master, "tell him
to get out of here."
The attendant returned the card with apologies.
"That was my error," said the governor, and scratched out his
title.
"Please ask to see the master again."
"Oh, it's him," exclaimed the master when he saw the card, "Let me
see him."
When the governor presented himself as governor, he was very far
from the Dharma.
When he presented himself as he was in the moment, free of an
image, free of concept,
he was just with what was happening and able to meet the
master.
Being able to relate to others with no image boundaries makes
dynamic interactions possible.
Often, we put ourselves and others into little mental boxes or
compartments -
"Somebody is this way or that way, I know where they're at!"
We relate in a very static way through the veil of concept
(perception).
Everything is changing in each moment;
our minds, our bodies, the situation around us.
To stay fluid, to stay clear of concepts and self-images, allows
for these changes to be seen,
and our understanding in relationships remains open and
unencumbered.
- Abridged from - The Experience of Insight: A Simple Guide to
Buddhist Meditation (Joseph Goldstein)
