the way of play
It is no coincidence that the cultural currents of Zen and Anarchism
immediately joined when Zen came to the West. For nowhere in
recent Western history is the life of the Eastern renunciate more
closely paralelled than in that of the dedicated revolutionary,
forsaking all attachments for a single goal. And no Eastern sage
comes closer to the zestful life sense of the Anarchist than
the Zen Master.
But the deeper fruits of this union, speaking at least with reference to the Anarchist, are yet to be realized. What Zen has most to offer Anarchism is freedom HERE AND NOW. No longer need the Anarchist dream of a utopian millenium as he struggles to outwit the State-- for he can find freedom in the contest, by simply knowing that freedom is everywhere for those who dance through life, rather than crawl, walk, or run.
For is a man has renounced inward ownership of property, renounced posessive attachment to his loved ones, and is cheerfully detached from time, with no fear or hope for what the future might bring-- he is immune to all threats and pleadings of any State in the world. On the streets or in prison-- indeed, on his very way to execution-- he can play!
That is, he can become aware of his true nature as a player
in the cosmic maya game, and therefore openhandedly let his
karma play itself out. He can blend with the life forces around
him, as a dancer to his music, and prance boldly into the colage
of events-- with no fears, no regrets, and no compromises--
turned on, tuned in, and made One.
back to the center...