I call this piece “The Floating World of Flowers.” It is on a piece of cloth. I do not know if it is Chinese or Japanese. In either case, we see two figures floating amidst the flowers and lanterns. Did you miss seeing them?
I see this as another surreal work. The artist is unknown.
Merging. Difference & Unity.
石頭希遷 Shitou Xiqian (700–790)
參同契 Cantongqi
Reminder: It does not matter whether one is keen or dull, in this path all are welcomed.
Do you see the difference in the phenomenal world? They come from ONE source.
Forms are basically different in material and appearance.
Sounds are fundamentally different in pleasant or harsh quality.
Darkness is a word for merging upper & lower.
Light is an expression for distinguishing pure & defiled.
The four gross elements return to their own natures.
Like a baby talking to its mother; fire heats, wind moves,
Water wets, earth is solid, Eye & form, ear & sound; Nose & smell, tongue & taste;
Thus in all things the leaves spread from the root: The whole process must return to the Source….
The differences in things is listed out and ends with the whole process must return to the Source. And at the same time, all things share existence as there is light in dark, dark in light making all things relative to one another. All things have a function. We use things according to the situation & need.
The differences are recognized in phenomenal things such as a box & cover, but the noumenon accords by merging in a precise manner as two arrow points meeting in space. Phenomena is perceived by our senses, the noumenal is not perceived by the senses yet it can be known through experience as two arrow points meeting.
The Floating World of Flowers represents the phenomena floating in the noumenal. We can use our senses to see the men, the lanterns, colors, flowers, shapes but we perceive the floating aspect differently. Some of us may not even see the noumenal aspect.
TAKE AWAY. The things of the world are in the noumenal. BUT…our ignorance keeps us from knowing and experiencing the noumenal. Let me put it another way - the things of the world come from the Source but we do not see the Source because we are looking at the things of the world. We barely recognize the noumenal
TAKE AWAY. Do not let your thoughts go beyond your immediate duties and circumstances. When we look away to the past or the future, it shows us that we are dissatisfied with what is.
Dispassion and all acceptance are the antidotes.
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