Page 9 - Zen Tzu

can get outside of thinking. The confusion is in the explanation,
not in the consciousness itself. It is perfectly evident, undeniably
present and incomparably vivid. And, as Taoism and Zen attempt
to express, it is as simple as no explanation at all.

The Zen Tzu is written in the same spirit that is shared by
these two traditions of the East. Its words also point because they
cannot explain the special consciousness that is so close to being
ordinary that it is usually interpreted as being something esoteric,
elusive and inaccessible. The truth is exactly the opposite, and the
comment by Shunryu Suzuki that it is “wherever you are” is an
enticement to attention that only heightens the intrigue. How can
something that is so close be so distant?

Although we can justifiably blame words for their failures,
they are capable of so focusing the mind as to make themselves
unnecessary. Should this happen, then the thunderous silence that
follows becomes the mystery we are each living, and the many
words that have been written here can all be forgotten.

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