the First Principle of Ch'an

Q: What is the First Principle of Ch'an?

A: If words could tell you, it would become the Second Principle.


--- Wen-yu

perfect

The present moment is perfect

in that

It is a perfect mystery.


--- J. Jennifer Matthews

unconditional acceptance

The mystery that is aware of this moment

has already accepted it, as it is.


We can't create this radical acceptance

and we are powerless to make it go away,

for the very nature of awareness

is to accept, without conditions, what is.


--- John Astin

omnipresence

Who sees God not everywhere,

Sees God nowhere.


--- Meister Eckhart