Zero or One Hundred

There's a great article in the newsletter of Dharma Field, a Zen center near my house. Roshi Hagen illustrates the importance of doing something either at zero or one hundred percent. He argues that it is best to do something at one hundred percent or not at all, for only at that point are we doing it with full intent. I see that with the CAN movement (although it seems to be revving at about 110%!!) and it illustrates this point so well. There's a different kind of mindfulness about practicing in this way. It's not just single-mindedness of worrying about onself but the compassion for the whole community that is unique and inspiring.

Another Zen master (Suzuki Roshi) wrote that, "When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire..." This echoes the point above about one hundred percent commitment.

I envision our work as CAN members as an important and long overdue wildfire burning out the dry, old underbrush of this profession in order to set the soil for new growth. Let's burn it completely!