A Moment in Dokusan

Dokusan:

"I'm frightened!"
"How big do you feel?"
"Oh - small"
"How old are you?"
"Seven".
"Be kind to the little boy inside you. Go and look into his fear."

Back on my cushion, the little boy in me and I talked together.

"Why are you hiding?"
"I'm scared."
"Why?"
"Dad's going to beat me."

And as we talked it through, and I cried with fear, my heart went out to the little boy in my memory. I comforted myself. The little boy wanted to know that I would give him enough time - not do a bit and slip back to Mu. He had all the time he needed. Next time we sat, he was asleep on my knee with my arm around him.

I am a 38 year old man who has spent a lifetime running away from this little boy's fear and pain, ambitiously chasing mountain tops in the Himalayas, as a therapist, as a lover, as a Zen practitioner. Is the planet being driven to destruction by men like this?


©Western Chan Fellowship CIO 1997-2024. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.

The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.