"The Domain of Integrity" number 17 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.
In this miniature, Robert Aitken contrasts what he calls the domain of integrity with the complications of justification. Or more accurately, a deepening experience of practice and it's opposite.
I notice this polarity in me. When practice deepens there is a spaciousness of intimacy, a connection with wind chimes greeting the morning breeze. When this quality is interrupted by the business and busyness of life, enter the "complicated place of justification". I can see this in me. Over and over I pick at this mess. Over and over I enter the domain of integrity.
Last night I finished reading "To Forget the Self - An Illustrated Guide to Zen Meditation" by John Daishin Buksbazen. This is one of the superior beginner books. A friendly no nonsense introduction to sitting, sangha practice and the workings of a zendo. Where this book really excels is with the photographs by John Daido Loori. I find the cover photograph to be quite haunting. In a good way. This book was published in 1978. I looked for a picture of the book on the web but could not find one. Maybe tomorrow I'll post one.
In this miniature, Robert Aitken contrasts what he calls the domain of integrity with the complications of justification. Or more accurately, a deepening experience of practice and it's opposite.
I notice this polarity in me. When practice deepens there is a spaciousness of intimacy, a connection with wind chimes greeting the morning breeze. When this quality is interrupted by the business and busyness of life, enter the "complicated place of justification". I can see this in me. Over and over I pick at this mess. Over and over I enter the domain of integrity.
Last night I finished reading "To Forget the Self - An Illustrated Guide to Zen Meditation" by John Daishin Buksbazen. This is one of the superior beginner books. A friendly no nonsense introduction to sitting, sangha practice and the workings of a zendo. Where this book really excels is with the photographs by John Daido Loori. I find the cover photograph to be quite haunting. In a good way. This book was published in 1978. I looked for a picture of the book on the web but could not find one. Maybe tomorrow I'll post one.
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