Heat and Cold

 

A monk asked Tozan, “How can we escape the cold and heat?” Tozan replied, “Why not go where there is no cold and heat?” “Is there such a place?” the monk asked. Tozan commented, “When cold, be thoroughly cold; when hot, be hot through and through.”

Comment: Heat and cold cause discomfort; they represent troubles in life. When troubles arise, what should we do? If one can escape fine. But many of life’s problems cannot be escaped. Where is the place of no trouble? Zen says: Become one with trouble. When the day is hot, don't cry, “Oh, it's too hot! What shall I do?” Take the heat and be it instead of complaining about or trying to escape it. Whatever it is, if we become totally one with it, we become the master instead of the victim.

My Comment: This koan is about being present.