Robert Thomas: 10-04-2014: Living and Practicing in Vow Sesshin (Part 4, last part)

Summary: Episode Description: In this final sesshin talk, Sensei Robert discusses the final Great Vow: "the awakened way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it." He says the awakened way knows absolute (not only relative) truth, exemplified in the story of "Nangaku's Tile." Emptiness or absolute truth tells us that nothing can be at all contained by its local name: what we agree is a bucket, someone else might think is a stool. Likewise we, ourselves, cannot be contained by our thoughts or emotions. Engaging with our stories in zazen is just "polishing tiles." Peaceful life is found not in resolving the drama but in taking a step back, being with the body. Please note Part 1 of this Series is Episode # 1040. For Teacher BIO, please visit Part 2. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Living and Practicing in Vow Sesshin Series: All 4 Parts