Zen Battles

After nearly two weeks of non-stop MJ coverage on TV, I decided today I would not turn on the tube. This would be a day for reflection and spiritual practice. In reading Thich Nhat Hahn, the Vietnamese Zen Master I so love, I read one of the lessons and commentaries. In this one, a reluctant "Zen Master" asks the gathered monks, "Is there any Warrior willing to step out onto the Battlefield?"

I realized that's what was so special about MJ -- he did step out on the battlefield. All the greats do. Jesus, Gandhi, and the current Dalai Lama had to. But, so have artists and performers. Those who offer a different view, that try to shake things up and make us SEE are always persecuted.

Coming back to the Zen lesson, the master was hesitant to teach the monks by lecturing. He knew that what they were seeking (Enlightenment) could not be realized through words and concepts. But, he also knew if he simply sat and smiled, that would not work either. This is how Zen Battles came about. The great master hoped that through confrontation a spark might burn through the Veil of Ignorance and reveal the true Buddhist Dharma. Through Koans (riddles and puzzles) and sometimes shouting ("Do you really need yet another definition of Zen?") the master hoped the monks might Awaken.

We can put all our thoughtful explanations in books or blogs, but does it benefit anyone? You may listen to a teaching or read the words but was anything conveyed that is truly useful? Something you can apply to your life? If I say that Mindfulness practice really can relieve craving and suffering does it convince you to try? Probably not, especially if I still have weeds in my own garden. Perhaps if a more perfect person, like the Dalai Lama, speaks more people will believe his words. But often, only through witnessing death are we shocked into the realization that happiness is here within us.

Romans thought Jesus was a freak. Uptight Americans have persecuted a host of artists, writers, musicians and anyone who looks or acts "differently." At the Zen monastery when the monk asks where is Buddha, the master slaps him. When you find yourself and inner peace, you know that answer -- the Buddha is within. Everything else, including MJ's rhythms and dance moves, are just fingers pointing to the Moon (or MoonPie, perhaps ;)