Is Zen difficult? Also, an in-depth examination of the Mu koan. Sep 23, 1984

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of the family where every member was enlightened. A visitor asked the father, “Is Zen difficult?” The father answered, “Yes, very.” The visitor then asked the son the same question. “No, it’s not difficult at all,” the son said. Then he asked the daughter. She answered, “If you make it difficult, it is difficult. If you make it easy, it is easy.”Actions do not change your being. The periphery does not change the center.The truth is found in the now, the present. If you are looking for it in another world, you’ll miss it here.Look with an undivided eye, and undivided consciousness. Because Samsara is Nirvana, and Nirvana is Samsara.Whatever you do, when you do it in silence, real silence, then God is there. All day long you are becoming, as you look toward your future. Instead of just being. The future, however, will never arrive. It’s a projection.Life, for us, has no beginning or ending. We are always in the middle.Also, Lola presents a detailed discussion of the Mu koan.Sep 23, 1984