Emotion is condition
... let us examine two aspects of Zen. On the one hand, there is the phenomenal world: it is born, it dies; it has color, quality, and form. On the other hand, there is the essential world: it is not born; it does not die; it has no quality, color, or form. The living unity of these two aspects is catching a bus or writing a letter home. Emphasis on human emotion puts stress upon the phenomenal side. It obscures the essential side, and makes difficult or impossible the oneness of emotion and realization that is found in life of the mature poet or Zen student.
There are many kinds of emotion. The aloof, sardonic spirit that patronizes the weakness of humanity is one; anger is another. Emotion is condition; it comes and goes, and usually has no lasting importance or significance. Taking it seriously for ourselves, or projecting it upon others, obscures the fact with which we must work. If someone comes to me and says, "I am very upset with you," then it is difficult to get at the point of disagreement. For many people, it is the anger that is important to express, not the point of contention. This attitude makes true sangha development very difficult.
- Robert Aitken Roshi, A Zen Wave
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