The general meaning of “kensho” expresses the notion of seeing the Buddha-nature within oneself. Incidentally, the term is found in the fourth slogan of Zen, “Achieving Buddhahood by seeing one's nature.” It can be thought of as a profound spiritual state which has no objective signs but is, nevertheless, absolutely real. It is strictly first-person for the simple reason that truth is found only at the first-person level. This level, at its highest point, is also free of appearance, and therefore, free of illusion.
For those who have never had kensho, all that I’ve said thus far can be easily conceptualized and even labeled so that its importance becomes deflated. The individual who does the conceptualizing of kensho seems to rest in his own surety. It is like a judge. But in real kensho all this is overthrown because kensho surpasses individuality, including this body of ours, and the world perceived through it.
We are so shocked by the fact that during kensho our most profound and cherished thoughts are powerfully energized by it. All that we see through our senses is also energized. The hills we gaze at, the oak tree by the stream, all mysteriously are energized. It is better described as clear light Mind or radiant Mind. This is when one, for the first time, fully understands what the Buddha meant by Mind.
In kensho, whether I sit in meditation or walk down to the stream to admire the little waterfall, the world is energized as I am; as my thoughts are. Every place I walk is the right place; every thought I think preaches the Dharma.
But nobody will ever achieve kensho by searching for it insofar as their search is led by presuppositions. One must live in such a way that kensho can, so to speak, come to them. Pure Mind—this radiant medium—is here. It has never left. But we are like dumb fish who don’t know what water is, blindly searching for it.
During the time when the Buddha was on earth, a few could sense this so-called Mind-energy. When they did, that was kensho. After that they became monks and learned to make themselves more available to this clear light. They got rid of the desire for appearances which was like moving clouds away to let the sun shine through in its full glory.
And HOW exactly does one achieve this? Couse we know it ain't just sitting. I think we're ready to move on now, teach...
Posted by: Dingus | April 25, 2012 at 08:51 AM