from Mushin
The chants we chant during service articulate the wisdom and inspiration that is available through steady practice. The specific translations are chosen in our lineage to transmit to us the fundamental meaning of this ancient practice. During sesshin, we chant Precious Mirror Samadhi. What is precious about this mirror? Do we see the same self in the “precious” mirror that we see in the bathroom mirror when brushing our teeth? The framing of the mirror as “precious” in this chant reminds us that we all have the capacity to awaken, to see what is fundamental in our unique life and experience through our very own sense gates. An ordinary mirror can be clouded over by endless confusion and distraction, by spit and steam. But no matter how long the mirror of open awareness is hidden, forgotten, covered with dust, it never loses its function. The precious mirror of open awareness is available to us all to reflect and illuminate what is always fundamentally and directly apparent to the Dharma eye, the precious eye that sees simply and clearly the true nature of phenomena. Steady, sustained practice is the key.
