What is Everyday Mind?

Everyday mind,
How mysterious it is!
It's firmly locked in double walls.
Some say everyday mind lies
In the midst of coming and going.
Others say it arises
In the course of eating food and drinking water.
Both of them are wrong.

Once opening your eye of wisdom, you will find
That it lies not only in such doings
But also in boiling water and even in burning fire.
There is another eye in your eyes,
Which you have failed to see
Even if it has been with you all the time.
Surely, you are to blame for it.

How can we know everyday mind?
To reveal it perfectly like this,
I've rolled myself over and over in the mud.
May you find out what it is!
As we begin our re t reat like this,
You should find out by all means
The true form of everyday mind
Demonstrating your skill to the fullest.

(After a while in silence)

Now, what is everyday mind?
The south mountain is facing the north mountain in silence.

 

Written by Master Subul of Anguk Zen Center
Translated by Boo Ahm(Song Soo-kyong)

*This article first appeared in the April 2007 issue of SEOUL.