Shame!

Recorded November 9, 2024.In this first post-Nov. 5th election teisho, Roshi Martin opens with two poems of W.B. Yeats, speaking from the Irish “Troubles,” then moves on to read from and comment on Chapter Seven —“The Resource of Shame” — in Nelson Foster Roshi’s new book: Storehouse of Treasures: Recovering the riches of Chan and Zen. Some bits to savor:The great T’ang era Zen master Chao-chou (Joshu) was once asked — “What place to you accord an individual entirely without shame?” “Not among us,” the master answered. The questioner persisted, How about if one suddenly appeared? “Throw him out!” said Chao-chou. And from Mencius, 372-289 BC, “Cunning opportunists have no use for shame. Unashamed of being inhuman, what humanity to they have?” Or this — from Nelson — “Recognition that you’ve erred [i.e. shame] becomes an indicator of which way your ethical compass points, lending shame an ennobling aspect.”In short, shame has nothing to do with “shaming,” or with guilt — or with beating ourselves up. But as a matter of scrupulous honesty and character, it helps us proceed along the ancient Way of the maturing Human Being — whatever comes.  Not to own up to the uneasiness caused by one’s own errors and shortcomings, and not to resolve to correct our mistakes and do better would be rather . . . shameful. Books referenced: The Collected Poems. W.B. Yeats.Storehouse of Treasures: Recovering the Riches of Chan and Zen. Nelson FosterPhoto credit: “door/way,” Rafe MartinBooks by Roshi Rafe MartinTalks on YouTubeMore information at endlesspathzen.org