The Way of the Clouds E-Book

Vincenzo Pane Bansō

• Herausgeber: Fontana Editore
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

The Way of the Clouds – and of the heart. Striking photos of clouds anticipate each chapter of the text, introducing us to the experiences recounted for us while beautifully expressing the emptiness, the impermanence and ephemerality of material things. With surprising ease, Bansō rattles off pearls of ancient wisdom. The story of his fascinating inner journey involves us in a feeling of lightness and it opens the world to the idea that "everything is perfect as it is." You discover the beauty of the universe outside and inside, the existence of the body, and a way of reflecting on the effect of our mind’s beliefs on our choices. Each episode gives us a lesson in humility and wisdom and will leave you amazed to see that the Universe really gives every person the chance to evolve and grow: just follow the opportunities that life presents, without hesitation. Bansō (the Zen name of Vincenzo Pane) has met many special people in his long life because he had the courage to follow an inner voice that led him exactly to where he should be.

Leseprobe

Vincenzo Pane Bansō

THE WAY OF THE CLOUDS

Translated by J. Olpecre

Collana I Romanzi

ISBN: 978-88-98750-2-21

FontanaEditore

In the clouds a shape appears And just as quickly disappears

First Cloud

Magical Sicily and the Zen Monastery

That summer Sicily was magical.

The house in the woods, the goat’s milk and the honey, the cowbells and their music.

The dynamic meditation led by Nirgio with its explosive energy.

The kundalini, the splashing into the sea, the swimming, running, dancing, the sweat, the relaxation, the evening meals, the stars at night and the moon.

I felt reborn.

Back in the city, I ran into a good friend and resumed a relationship that had ended of its own accord.

A couple of days later I left for Scaramuccia, the Zen monastery spoken of by a friend.

I arrived at the house up in the hills near Orvieto in my blue two-horsepower Citroën and parked in front.

And the first feeling I had is that I had been there before.

No one was outside. I decided to go in: there was a room and two practitioners were inside meditating.

I went back outside and waited. A little later Ghencho appeared and told me that if I wanted, I could participate in the session; he quickly explained what to do inside in the room and we went back in together.

At the entrance of the zendo (meditation room) there are wooden crates for the practitioners to set their belongings on and, set off by a curtain, a room with tatami mats on the floor. Opposite the entrance there is a small altar where the Master meditates; and to each side of him are places for the practitioners. The jikjgitzo (acolyte in charge of the zendo) marks time with a bell. Four chimes signal the start of the period of zazen (sitting meditation); the same number signals the end.

During that first experience I glanced many times at the bell, hoping that Ghencho who was holding it would signal the end of the session. It was especially difficult for me to maintain the cross-legged position and to stay still.

At afternoon tea I met the Master and immediately felt at ease: it was as if I already knew him and was on the same wavelength.

After tea it was time for a dip in the fountain baths.

Every day at Scaramuccia following afternoon tea, the acolytes put clothes to be washed in a backpack along with a towel, and together with the Master, run down a mountain path three kilometers long to a natural pool connected to a mountain spring.

I was surprised the first time I saw these people calmly take off their clothes and bathe in the rocky tub in their underwear. Later it became normal for me to bathe in this water, which especially in winter is very cold. At the monastery, the clothes washed at the fountain are hung to dry. The tenzo (the acolyte who runs the kitchen) prepares dinner and at 6 o’clock dinner is served; from 7 to 9 is zazen. Then at 10, it is time to sleep, which takes place inside of sleeping bags laid out on the tatami in the zendo.

At 4:30 the alarm sounds and after personal washing, the meditation session begins at 5.

Sutras are recited together with the Master, who afterward goes to a small room to wait for the acolytes to come and give the answer to the kōan.

After the meditation session, the tenzo prepares a breakfast of rice boiled in plenty of water and takes it to the zendo.

Each practitioner has three bowls which are arranged one inside the other and wrapped in a cloth neatly folded.

These bowls are placed behind each practitioner; when it is time to eat they are laid out in a row on the floor in front.

The tenzo comes with a pot full of rice and a container bearing olives; in front of each practitioner he stops and fills one small bowl with rice and in another bowl he puts four olives.

They eat in silence and when finished, the tenzo comes by and pours tea into the final remaining bowl.

When the tea is drunk, the cups are dried with the cloth and put again behind each practitioner ready for the next meal.

At 8 the work commences and continues until 10:30.

At that point one has tea with the Master and talks casually about a variety of subjects.

At 12 o'clock lunch, and then rest until 2:30 p.m.

Work resumes and continues until tea at 3:30. Then down to the fountain.

I kept these unusual rhythms for several days and then I returned home.