Question
Master,
Hello, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making yourself available like this.
Briefly, I am a person seeking to do Good in life. I am a psychologist and have very ambitious projects I want to devote myself to, so I can do as much Good as possible during my life. To bring hope, inspiration, confidence, meaning, and beauty into as many people's lives as possible. The bodhisattva's motivation has inspired every day of my life for years. But I am going through a complicated period. After long having deep confidence in myself and my project, that confidence has been shaken lately by renewed contact with certain Dharma teachings. My mind is in doubt. I want to do great Good. But for several weeks I have been unable to get beyond these doubts. So in my search for answers and clarity, I thought of you again; I learned of your existence a few years ago.
Master, if you would please grant me a little of your time so I can clear my mind and do the greatest possible good, I dare to believe it would benefit many living beings. I am close to tears as I write these words.
Thank you.
Spes Dunamis
Master Kosen’s answer
A well-known phrase in Zen culture:
"Absolute, without doubt: such is the Dharma."
In our traditional practice, transmitted from master to master for a very long time, we approach the Dharma with and through our own bodies.
We must realize it with our entire being. That is why we begin, continue, and complete the study of Dharma through Buddha's posture—by borrowing, so to speak, the posture of the buddhas.
It is an experience that needs no commentary. There is no need to doubt, only to practice: body, consciousness, breath. Such is the Dharma, absolute, without doubt, giving rise to many good things.
Kosen