Jiashan’s Beautiful State of Mind

A student asked Jiashan, “What is your state of mind?”
Jiashan answered, “Monkeys, clasping their young to their breasts, return beyond the green peak:
A bird with a flower in its beak alights before the blue cliff.”

I’ve always loved this little story. In the mountains, the world goes about its life without us needing to do anything. At the same time, it’s happening within us as well as outside us. It’s a marvelous thing to feel this freedom.

When the mind is still it’s not different from the world.

Life continues with a kind of wonder, and we don’t make even our mistakes a mistake.

Jiashan’s state of mind is one of freedom and includes everything, and his story of enlightenment is one of a journey between Yeshang, Dahui and a wild teacher called the Boat Monk, who hits him with the oar of awakening twice, with good results! He reminds Jiashan not to “defile the clear waves” of the Dao. Meaning, just because you emerge as a teacher or are considered to hold wisdom, do not resort to nonsense—stay real. For Jiashan, everything is included—he is everything and vice versa.

Sunday Zen with John Tarrant & Friends recorded July 16, 2023.