Those who donated to our crowdfunding Indiegogo campaign last fall are getting daily e-mails this month as a thank-you and part of the May Sit. We wanted to share these with everyone, though they are a day or so later. This was the May 31 offering.

The first text in italics is from Cultivating the Empty Field by Zen Master Hongzhi, translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton with Yi Wu. The commentary following it is from one of the teachers at Dharma Rain Zen Center.

Only in silent serenity is the self known, full-spirited in its own glory, no stranger to sages, not diminished with worldly people. From the beginning only this is the single affair of the old home. How can you possibly attain anything outside yourself? This is called the genuine field where awakened people immediately can respond to the ten thousand changes and enter every realm. Wondrous function and spiritual penetration naturally are without any obstruction at all.

31 days of reminders, all pointing to this single affair. It’s the simplest and most natural movement possible. Returning to what matters most, returning to this genuine field, returning to this wondrous function. Yet we create so many obstacles to performing it. Today, notice the obstacle you’re most likely to fall back on: “not enough time,” “I’m all out of sorts,” “If I could only have some quiet,” and remember that it is only a facade. Also, notice any tools or reminders that have sustained your returning during this month, and feed the intention to refine and strengthen that insight or method.