Beloved Friends

Umi's answer to a friend's question.

David: Umi, You often mention this spiritual \"work.\" This implies that you do some work and eventually reach a goal in the future. But isn't the idea of a path or goal, the same old hope and chasing after objects? Thanks for your time.

Umi: This is such a beautiful question, because it goes right to the heart. Yes the word 'work' does imply that you are doing something and therefore you are on a path that will reach a goal. And yes, all this may create in you, hopes and the belief that you are chasing objects. But this is the limitation of language. When you are with a Master, everything that you are used to do, is taken away. Everything that you believe in, is taken away. Everything that you think, is taken away. There is no word in the English language that accurately describes this process. Even the word 'process' is misleading. In Sanskrit there are many words. Abhasa, Atma-vichara, Bhajana, Bhakti, Dhyana, Irai-pani-nittal, Manonasa, Sadhana and on and on. And yet none of these describe what this is truly about. For example the word Dhyana was one of the words that Buddha used. When Bodhidharma went to China the word became Chan. When this arrived in Japan it became Zen. Atma-vichara has been translated into English as self inquiry. Bhakti as devotion. But none of these translations are accurate, because it is impossible to use the mind to express that which is beyond the mind. As all language is a product of the mind, is an expression of thinking, it is impossible to have such a word. Every Master breaks new ground. Opens all confinements. Destroys all the beliefs about past Master's work. The accepted understanding of past Master's words. Because once the mind has 'understood' the words used, the mind is victorious and once again has imprisoned your Being. Many have an understanding of the word Zen. But the truth is that whatever you believe this word means, is not it. Yes, I have used the word 'work' which is open to continual misunderstanding. But then any word will be misunderstood. But unless you are physically here you will never truly understand what this is about.  Here there is no path. Here there is no goal. Here there is no object to obtain. But unless you are here doing the 'work' you are lost in the mind. I cannot tell you what the 'work' is, because it has no formula. It has no plan. It is continually unpredictable. Because it is about this moment. It is about the Master defeating the mind, so that you can be free. So that your truth can shine forth. So that the miracle that you are can be realized.

Love Umi