Subtlety

To have eyes open, but mind empty,
To have ears open, but mouth closed, 
To be surrounded by cold, but be warm, 
That is the life of a natural man. 

To walk and let feet move, 
To eat and watch mouth chew, 
In the cold snow, eyes water, 
The simpleton smiles at all clutter. 

Samsara and nirvana are but one, 
Meditation and delusion are both foolish, 
Truth lies in each moment's awareness
Like lightening, the mind frees in an instant.

The zen mind is still, yet spontaneous, 
It contains 'Shoshin' or the beginner's mind. 
As the breath deepens, it reaches 'Zanshin' or the lingering mind, 
And at last when the ego fades, it rests in 'Mushin' or the no-mind. 


Seek not that which isn't here, 
Seek that which rests in eternal subtlety, 
Train the mind to be in Mushin,
but enjoy its tendency for Shoshin and Zanshin. 

Namu Amida Butsu