7 Words to Sweep the Mind
Crystal clear is a vision that is unpolluted, transparent, translucent, understood. It is not soiled, diminished, foul, grubby, filthy, exhausted, or overloaded. 20/20 is a term that refers to good human vision. The vision of an eagle is said to be almost eight times stronger than the human eye. If someone has an eagle eye, it means they have a keen ability to watch or observe. Their vision is far-reaching, responsive, sensitive, intuitive, adaptable, and conscious. In times of turmoil, what provides rest and perspective? When the journey is long and arduous, what reboots the big picture?
In Zen Buddhism, a koan is a story, riddle, anecdote, or question told to provoke a flash of insight and awareness. A coin that is lost in the river is found in the river. Koans are meant to expand perception and inspire acceptance of life’s paradoxical nature. John Larrant in How to Practice Zen Koans, Lion’s Roar magazine writes, “Koans don’t really explain things. Instead, they show you something by opening a gate. You walk through, and you take the ride.” In the spirit of the koan, these 7 words sweep the mind and open a gate to understanding: Erasure, Infinity, Reflection, Edge, Empty, Nonsense, Beginning.
