Two monks debate whether it’s the flag or the wind that moves, while a Zen master reveals the truth lies in our minds. Valerie Forstman reflects on this ancient koan and its relevance in our tumultuous world. Topics include the nature of hope intertwined with personal struggles, the futility of silencing the mind, and the journey towards awakening. A poignant narrative about embracing suffering and interconnectedness unfolds, showing the transformative power of awareness and compassion amidst adversity.
Recognizing dualistic thinking is crucial for empathy and overcoming conflict, particularly in the context of global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
Engaging with the koan of the flag and wind deepens our understanding of mental movement, illustrating how stillness and thought intertwine during meditation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Seeing Beyond Divisions
Recognizing dualistic thinking is essential, especially in times of conflict, as conveyed through a conversation between the speaker and an Israeli Dharma teacher. The teacher highlighted how mentioning Gaza without mentioning Israel could easily lead listeners to pick sides, illustrating the human tendency to categorize and divide. By emphasizing the need for awareness around these boundaries, the speaker pointed out that authentic communication and insights must transcend binary views. This insight serves as a reminder that empathy and understanding are crucial in addressing global suffering.
Exploring the Nature of Movement Through a Koan
The episode introduces a koan involving two monks debating whether it is the flag or the wind that moves, only to be challenged with the understanding that 'it is your mind that moves.' This teaching encourages practitioners to contemplate the nature of their thoughts and experiences, suggesting that trying to stop the mind is akin to attempting to halt the wind. The essence of this perspective is that profound stillness and movement coexist, inviting introspection on one’s own mental processes during meditation. By engaging deeply with this koan, individuals can foster an awareness that illuminates their reality.
Embracing Tenderness Amidst Suffering
The narrative touches on the experience of an individual diagnosed with breast cancer who began practicing Tonglen, breathing in pain and breathing out light. This practice embodies a profound compassion for both her suffering and the pain of the world, illustrating how shared suffering can unite and empower us. Her reflections on the changes brought by meditation reveal the potential for transformation and resilience, as she embraces both life and uncertainty with equanimity. Such experiences inspire a broader understanding of tenderness and its ability to encompass all aspects of existence, reminding us of our shared humanity.
In the Gateless Gate (Mumonkan) case 29, two monks watch a temple flag flapping in the wind. They argue back and forth: is it the flag that moves or the wind that moves? Seeing this, the 6th Chinese ancestor, Huineng, intervenes: “It is not the wind that moves. It is not the flag that moves. It is your mind that moves.” Centuries of Zen students have taken up this case. What is mind? What is moving? What is the dharma that shows itself fully in movement and in stillness?
In this talk, Valerie traces the steps of Huineng’s teaching and looks into the question at hand in the context of practice. Busy mind, still mind. What moves? And what remains when all movement has stopped? How might these questions apply to us now as we sit in the midst of a deeply turbulent world?
Recorded on February 27th, 2025
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this.