Categories: Justin Stone: In His Words
Samatha: Vipasyana – Holding Fast – Letting Go
By: Justin Stone
Source: New Mexico TCC News, July, ’96
Carmen Brocklehurst has a fine article in this issue, relating “Holding Fast and Letting Go” to everyday, ordinary life. There is much depth in this subject. T’ien t’ai Buddhism (Tendai in Japanese) uses this in their simple but profound meditation, as those who have taken Meditation Retreats with me know. The purpose, of course, is to stop the conceptualizing mind, and prevent the paralyzing Habit Energies that govern our lives. T’ien t’ai has found that such meditation contributes a good deal to healing activities. Many of the T’ien t’ai teachers also discuss the philosophical aspect of this activity.
Zen Buddhism, in its practical way, uses the holding fast and letting go in dealing with serious students and aspirants. I have seen Zen Masters using this technique very effectively. Unexpectedly, they may go along with the thought pattern of the monk or student, then suddenly stop “letting go” in order to pull the rug out from under the conceptualizer’s feet. Particularly with scholars, who deal in concepts, does this shake the very foundation of thinking — which is what the teacher is aiming for. Only serious aspirants will stand still for this; most feel affronted and lose their urge for “enlightenment.” If one is not serious to the point of being willing to accept great change, one should not practice true Zen.
One time I took a Latvian woman to see a Zen Master who was in this country. In typical sentimental (emotional) style she asked why there were different nationalities, why they fought and made wars. He answered by holding up his hand and spreading five fingers. “Why do I have five fingers?” he asked. I rushed over to count his five fingers, and sure enough, there were five!
After the meeting, the Latvian lady asked me, “Why didn’t he answer my question?”
“He gave you the only possible answer,” I replied. Holding fast had not agreed with her, she wanted some sort of useless conceptual answer. Few will understand this.
Originally appeared in: September 1996