SHIN JIN MEI | 信心銘- DAY TWENTY
"Clinging is never kept within bounds
It is sure to go the wrong way;
Quit it, and things follow their own courses,
While the Essence neither departs nor abides."
Our discursive mind often strays from the present moment by avoiding painful experiences or trying to prolong pleasant ones. Doing this is very subtle - but takes on a life of its own quickly. We develop a second narrative when we are divorced from the present moment, then have to do a lot of work to hold that narrative together - as it is just a story. As Sōsan points out, this is sure to go the wrong way.
If we can stay awake and abide with what is coming up for us, experiencing directly, things follow their own courses. We become one with the Way and it ceases coming or going. We experience the wonder of each moment fully and directly.
