Many of the old Zen masters are trying to tell us that the more we attempt to conceptualize the inconceivable (our Buddha-nature), in an effort to realize it, the more we stray from the path. Zen master Foyan tells us:
Just detach from gross mental objects, and whatever subtle ones there are will naturally clear out, and eventually you will come to understand spontaneously; you don’t need to seek. This is called putting conceptualization to rest and forgetting mental objects, not being a partner to the dusts.
Let me forewarn you, putting our habit of conceptualizing to rest is not easy to internally grasp because we’re conceptualizing, continually. Its our norm. We’ve never known a break from it. Still, the moment or second conceptualizing stops, completely, we stand face to face with our Buddha-nature. Figuratively speaking, the pure subject has met the pure object. Both, in fact, are the same—the One Mind.
Our unbroken habit of conceptualizing only acts to hide the inconceivable Buddha-nature. In fact, those who have the strongest habit of conceptualizing declare there is no such thing as a Buddha-nature or the unconditioned! These types of people are tough nuts to crack.
If we are lucky enough to instantly see our Buddha-nature the concepts which arise in our mind are not opposed to this luminous nature which we just realized, no more than the waves of the ocean actually oppose and obstruct the element of water. They only seem to hide the water element. Likewise, before our awakening, the concept of a Buddha-nature and the concept of always conceptualizing act to hide this inconceivable nature. As I have mentioned before, we have to go to our wits’ end of conceptualizing. Then one day or night, not expecting anything, in a split second conceptualizing halts. We enter.
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