The past three months I’ve been studying the Genjo Koan. It was written in 1233 by a well-known Japanese Zen master, Eihei Dogen, as a letter to a student. It points at what enlightenment or realization is . . . and what it isn’t. It’s poetry and metaphor, and like a good mystery, you have to work to discover its meaning — one of those magical writings that bobs and weaves and like clouds, at times suddenly evoking a flash of insight, and then becoming obscure again. Until, after some time and pondering, its meaning becomes embodied knowing.

I’ve had help from outside commentary from individuals who have studied this koan seriously, which is a lovely help!

 ‘Enlightenment’ is a term that has always seemed to me like some far-away Shangra-la where worries and troubles evaporate and one becomes perfectly wise. Now I see that it’s a kind of every day ‘waking up’ (which is happening a lot on the planet right now). It has more to do with realizing extremely simple and obvious truths about reality that are hidden in plain sight. It’s a maturity one can come to at any time — and it is not easy to talk about, so I’m not going to even try. Just to say that this koan demystifies the whole thing to some extent. . . once it’s decoded! And then of course, it ends up that enlightenment can be a kind of Shangra-la, but not in the way I thought.

Here is one bit from the koan that sparked a simple but profound shift in my world:

“To carry yourself forward and experience myriad things is delusion. That myriad things come forth and experience themselves in awakening.”

Before you go on reading, stop a minute and feel yourself. How do those words strike you? Does something ring a bell, or does it elicit curiosity, frustration or wonder? Just notice.

 * * * *

Now, this bit is all about perspective. Normally we move in our world with a perspective that is located inside of us, as a single individual. Of course — we are observing the many things we encounter from our perspective, and very naturally the brain is calculating whether those things are useful to us, or harmful to us, or neutral. We necessarily categorize everything and label things according to prior experience, in order to make sense of them. We do this both at a conscious and unconscious level. This is our physical, animal perspective and it is essential to our survival as individual organisms. We have to live in this perspective if we are to navigate our daily lives.

At the same time,we human beings are capable of taking perspectives outside of ourselves. We can imagine (or even more intimately, sense and feel) what living might be like for other things. What might existence look and feel like from the perspective of an ant? Or a tree? Or this person in front of me who is scanning my groceries? By imagining, I don’t mean making up stories in our heads, which is still locating perspective in the self. I mean shifting my worldview completely for a moment, dropping my location of perspective as coming from a separate ‘me,’ and really GET that the real truth of things is that the ant and the tree and the grocery clerk are moving in their worlds, experiencing themselves.

The first time I practiced this realization — knowing fully that everything I experienced was not a character in my movie, but something unique unto itself that had its own locus of perspective — I felt both a great expansion and a great relaxation. Later, back in my own perspective, I saw that to always label, control and manage the many things I experience ‘out there’ was a rather silly endeavor. It felt better to be still and look very deeply at everything, perceiving everything together in a dance of unique yet interpenetrating realities. Having the ability to take a larger perspective (which can include my own) feels so much more complete and adventurous. Compassion arises spontaneously. Each person I meet is an entire universe of experience, feeling, emotion, and potential. How exciting to explore so many universes! I can have no real idea of why this person acts as they do, or where they have been and where they will go. In this one present moment, I am in contact with Great Mystery . . . which reflects me — because I am also Great Mystery, a complete universe, as well.

* * * *

Here’s a fun perspective-shifting game that gives you a taste of what I’m talking about.

Go outside and find a tree. Maybe one that calls to you. Quiet down for a moment, and then: 

Consciously take the position of being a person observing a tree. 

Feel what that feels like.

Then take the position that you are a person being observed by the tree. Sense-imagine that the tree is observing you. 

Feel what that feels like.

Then take the position that you are a human observed a tree, being observed by a tree.

Feel what that feels like.

What is that like for you? What do you notice about each perspective?

* * * *

The practice and skill of taking ever wider perspectives is something we all need to be doing right now. When we are unable or unwilling to step into the viewpoints of others, we destroy ecosystems, marginalize and cause great pain, wage war without knowing what we are doing. As more and more of us harness the power of this perspective-expanding practice, we will evolve into a collective humanity that can move beyond war and degradation of the planet.

It will make Eihei Dogen proud.