PZI Teacher Archives

Ordinary Mind Is the Way (GG19)

KOAN:

Zhaozhou asked Nanquan, “What is the Way (the Dao)?”
Nanquan said, “Ordinary mind is the Way.”
Zhaozhou asked, “Should I turn myself toward it or not?”
Nanquan said, “If you try to turn yourself toward it, you turn away from it.”
Zhaozhou asked, “How can I know the Way if I don’t turn toward it?”
Nanquan said, “The Way is not about knowing or not knowing. Knowing is delusion; not knowing is blank.
If you actually reach the Way, you’ll find it as vast and boundless as space. How can you talk about this in terms of right and wrong?”
With these words, Zhaozhou had a sudden realization.

Wumen’s Verse

Spring comes with its flowers, autumn with the moon,
summer with breezes, winter with snow.
When useless things don’t hang in your mind,
that is your best season.

—Gateless Gate Case 19, with Verse

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Article September 16, 2021

My Average Life

John Tarrant

“I like finding features of popular culture that point the way out of the mind’s prison. It is as if a trail of breadcrumbs had been left where least expected.”

1541 Words

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Article September 13, 2021

Ordinary Life Is the Way

John Tarrant

It is natural to look for the things you want outside of where you are now. That is the whole point of a journey. Yet this moment is all anyone has. So if freedom, love, beauty, grace, and whatever else is desirable are to appear, they must appear in a now.

330 Words
Audio September 2, 2021

Unexpected Gifts, Unexpected Help Along the Way

John Tarrant

What is the gift of the universe? We receive unexpected help when we are “living down a level,” living things before we construct them. Not constantly consulting your “me,” you open to the invitations and gifts that appear; trusting in the Dao.

67' 28"
Audio March 31, 2021

The Case for Ordinary Mind – What Makes It So Hard to See?

Allison Atwill, Jesse Cardin, Tess Beasley

The PZI enlightenment firm of Atwill, Riddle & Beasley makes a case for Ordinary Mind. Stories of what gets in the way, the nearness of “It” and a season of laughter. Music from Michael Wilding & Jordan McConnell. As recorded March 28, 2021.

76' 35"
Audio March 31, 2021

If Ordinary Mind Is the Way, What Makes It So Hard to See: What Gets in the Way?

Tess Beasley

Tess Beasley’s portion of the PZI enlightenment firm Atwill, Riddle & Beasley’s case for Ordinary Mind. As recorded March 28, 2021.

15' 50"
Audio March 31, 2021

If Ordinary Mind Is the Way, What Makes It So Hard to See: It’s Closer Than You Think

Michelle Riddle

Michelle Riddle’s portion of the PZI enlightenment firm Atwill, Riddle & Beasley’s case for Ordinary Mind. As recorded March 28, 2021.

20' 51"
Audio March 31, 2021

If Ordinary Mind Is the Way, What Makes It So Hard to See: Our Best Season

Allison Atwill

Allison Atwill’s portion of the enlightenment firm Atwill, Riddle & Beasley’s case for Ordinary MInd. A story of a best season when everything went wrong in the community kitchen. As recorded Mar. 28, 2021

19' 34"
Video September 18, 2019

The Plainness of the Heart

John Tarrant

John Tarrant presents a dharma talk at summer sesshin on the inherent nature of the heart. June 22, 2011.

31' 56"
Video February 3, 2019
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Video July 20, 2017

Ordinary Mind is the Way

David Weinstein

David Weinstein gives a dharma talk at the 2011 spring sesshin, on “Ordinary Mind” as path of awakening.

58' 29"