Falling Down 7 Times, Getting Up 8 Times
by Ki Bong Sahn

Let's explore the differences in that statement, "falling down 7 times, getting up 8 times." Actually, let's ask ourselves , "is there any difference in the two at all?" Is falling down and getting up the same, or different? If one believes this enlightenment business means no more falling down, then they are just deluded. Enlightenment is that falling down and getting up, and yet no falling down, no getting up. Do you understand? Only do it. If you are sick with an illness, then it is time to be sick. The only problem this can really cause us is when we get caught up in that thinking, "man, this is a problem." What use is there in denying the makeup of the present moment? If you would like to be grounded in true reality, in life, then you need to live your life. Really be there. Situations come and go, always coming and going. Something is always in a constant state of occurrence. We have a choice, we can really become present in our lives, or we can be off wishing we were somewhere else. So accepting our current situations is so very important.

Good and bad situations are seemingly apparent-they feel very evident. But just because something seems evident, this does not make it so. Behind any occurrence there is a clear mind, do you see it? That clear mind is already beyond good and bad, life and death. That clear mind does not know anything, it is like a cup of water prior to the addition of food coloring. Even though we put green dye in this clear water, originally it is still clear. Problems occur when we cannot see the clear water, and only see green. The clear water is still there, can you see it? The practice of meditation is so very important in the attainment and cultivation of this clear mind.

In Zen we do shikantaza practice, or zazen one could call it in essence. That is simply the act of sitting, nothing to get, no gaining, just sitting. At this point our minds are already 100% clear, if you can just sit. before you maybe a lot of things are going on, a lot of "interference." But inside, your mind is quite calm, you are not moving, there's no interference - no distraction. This is because your mind that is clear during this period does not waver as outside situations arise, actually, while in this state; there is no outside or inside. There is not anything, there is nothing. But by saying nothing in this context, I have given the impression it is some object, I have made it something. That is why actually doing this form of practice is so very, very important. Up until that point of doing it, we only have an idea of what it may be about. But practice means finding that clear mind that is always there, and allowing it to become stronger and stronger.

The act of just sitting is so beneficial to anyone's form of practice - you do not need to be a student of Zen to do this. Yet as with all meditation techniques, be careful to not be attached to just one form. You should always be prepared to try other forms. Even if you think you will not like them, that does not mean do not do them. Try some yoga, some tantra - try anything. Once you contact that always clear mind you will know how to act in any situation, so do not worry about it too much. "maybe this will lead me down the wrong path, I do not want that." Put it down! You haven't even driven down it yet, and you already know where it will take you? We all must become willing to take suggestions and remain open to truth-not only from within our own traditions or religions - but from any source at anytime. We can learn from Christianity, from Islam, from a peacemaker or murderer. Truth is seeping from every place you can imagine - if we are always open. But, to some the practice of this is not very easy. It is a lot easier to listen to the Pope maybe, than a convicted murderer.

So practice means taking down our walls of constant discrimination, not holding onto the dead realm of all oppositional thinking. Thinking is in our head. When we just listen, we are not in our head, we can learn anything. I don't know anyone who asks a monkey going, "ooo ooo aaa aaa!" for certification or credentials on whether this, "ooo ooo aaa aaa!" is credible. We just listen-not right, "ooo ooo aaa aaa!," not wrong, "ooo ooo aaa aaa!," just "ooo ooo aaa aaa!." Actually, just listening like that is meditation.

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