Take a step back and turn the light inwards

Master Dôgen presents zazen as a universal practice. He explains that this practice of awakening requires us to ‘take a step back and turn the light inwards’. This attitude concerns all human beings, without exception. Step back from our convictions, which are often illusions, self-interested points of view, personal points of view that suit us… that suit our clan, our class. Step back and turn the light inwards.

Some people rush towards others, convinced that they are right, rush into the world with their illusions, convinced that they hold the truth… Some people turn towards phenomena with their egotism intact. That is not what we have to do.

Practising in this way, reaching out to others without questioning ourselves, without questioning our ego, is an illusory practice.

Take a step back. Make a U-turn. Turn the light inwards and let the phenomena come straight to our heart. This is one of the aspects of the practice, it is essential. It amounts to saying: enter into contact with the world with an open mind, free of any misconceptions.

Please, stop looking at others, stop accusing others. Approaching others with your baggage of aggression, violence, stupidity and greed cannot help the world. Take a step back. Make a U-turn. And turn the light inwards.

Take a step back. Make a U-turn, shine the light inwards, that’s what we’re doing now. It is zazen. But it is also what we should continue to do in every situation.

Taiun JP Faure, September 2024