Conspicuous Ambiguity

Shobogenzo; Genjo Koan 91

When we find this place, this action is inevitably realized as the Universe. When we find this way, this action is inevitably the realized Universe (itself). This way and this place are neither great nor small; they neither subjective nor objective; neither have they existed since the past nor do they appear in the present; and so they are present like this. When a human being is practicing and experiencing the Buddha’s truth in this state, to get one dharma is to penetrate one dharma, and meet one act is to perform one act. In this state the place exists and the way is mastered, and therefore the area to be known is not conspicuous. The reason it is so is that this knowing and the perfect realization of the Buddha-Dharma appear together and are experienced together. Do not assume that what is attained will inevitably become self-conscious and be recognized by the intellect. The experience of the ultimate state is realized at once. At that same time, its mysterious existence is not necessarily a manifest realization. Realization is the state of ambiguity itself.

Once more— and let it sink in:

“Realization is the state of ambiguity itself.”

Even at the risk

of being conspicuous

I thought

there might be

even less to say.

Thanksgiving is next week,

and I’ve been looking for a meme

to post on Facebook

that explains

my distaste for gratitude.

Don’t get me wrong,

I love Thanksgiving.

It’s just that when I’m told

that every day I should list

some things for which I’m grateful

that presumes that there are things

for which I’m not.

(Grateful, that is.)

And on Thanksgiving Day

thankfulness is inevitable.

But—

It’s only that

once gratitude

becomes conspicuous,

then all ambiguity is lost.

I think it’s better to avoid

subjective and objective;

great and small—

and just

eat some of everything.