Mind Your Own Business

CASE

A long time practitioner from another Zen Community wrote Robert Aitken in Hawaii, “What is Zen training and how do you teach Zen?” Aitken-Roshi wrote back, “Mind your own business and floss everyday.”

COMMENTARY

Born in 1917, Robert Aitken Roshi (1917-2010) was head teacher of the Diamond Sangha, which is centered in Hawaii. He was a lay teacher of the Sanbo Kyodon Zen order.

The simplest questions are often asked by the oldest practitioners. Mind your own business! What a practice! The old teachers have thoroughness that knows no bounds. If you think he was merely being flippant, you should floss twice!

VERSE by Dairyu

The obvious question is not always so obvious.
Your own business may not be so clear.
Moment by moment there is a way to go.
Please take care!