The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart opens on the front flyleaf - in white lettering - on stark, black paper:
Which rings of Merton's words on nothingness:
There is nothing more to say.
In the midst of silencethere was spoken within mea secret word.But where is the silence,and where is the placewherethe word is spoken?It is inthe purest thingthat the soul is capable of,in the noblest part,the ground.Indeed, in the veryessence of the soul,which is thesoul's most secret part.
Which rings of Merton's words on nothingness:
At the center of our being is a point of nothingness, which is untouched by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point, a spark, which belongs entirely to God.It's like a pure diamond, blazing with the invisible light of heaven. It is in everybody!I have no program to seize this. It is only given. But the Gate of Heaven is everywhere!
There is nothing more to say.
3 comments:
There are other sources as well, for such inspirations.
One of my favorites is from Musashi's Book of Five Rings, referencing here The Void:
"What is called the spirit of the void is where there is nothing. It is not included in man's knowledge. Of course the void is nothingness. By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist. That is the void.
People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment."
...and:
"Until you realise the true Way, whether in Buddhism or in common sense, you may think that things are correct and in order. However, if we look at things objectively, from the viewpoint of laws of the world, we see various doctrines departing from the true Way. Know well this spirit, and with forthrightness as the foundation and the true spirit as the Way. Enact strategy broadly, correctly and openly.
Then you will come to think of things in a wide sense and, taking the void as the Way, you will see the Way as void.
In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existance, principle has existance, the Way has existance, spirit is nothingness." (sic)
Thanks so much !!
All week I have been reflecting on the death of the grain of wheat. Your post really has helped. The "buriedness" of pure truth is not easily articulated or apprehended.
Blessings
Phil... I keep reflecting on your comment. :-)
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