"To Be in A Dream"

"To Be in A Dream"- a poem inspired by Lakavatara Sutra (shortened version translated by D.T Suzuki) 

What does it mean to be in a dream?

It means no pretense

I don’t need to change my pyjamas?

 

What does dreaming mean?

We are all in this dream

So isn’t there a consequence?

 

Sentient beings are playing on the same platform

The same Microsoft windows

What does it mean to be in a dream?

 

I think I am a separate entity

Then start to wrack up all the points

I don’t see there is no static I

 

I insist on thinking of this thing called “me”

Not recognizing it as a series of impressions

And who is receiving the impressions?

 

Then get angry when “I” don’t get recognition

But who is getting angry?

Not this body, that’s for sure-and not these impressions

 

It’s best to let go and recite “Amitofuo”

There is something in all this that won’t be resolved

By thinking alone

 

To see this, one must get beyond thinking

To see thoughts as only thoughts, not static entities

That is why practice is not about thoughts at all

 

Then when I feel that familiar fear:

The fear of losing myself in all this void

Just continue to recite Amitofuo, until smiling again

 

Taking refuge from thoughts

That is the essence of Chan

But who is thinking that?

 

Even refuge entails duality: an “I”

Who takes refuge from what?

Seriously, is there anything to fear?

 

You might try to go down a rabbit hole

With this huatou, what is wu?

But this might also be a deception:

 

Pieces of a dream trying to escape

or emerge from pieces of a dream

Why create such kind of a pressure?

 

Just at the moment the question is posed

Then recognize all that struggle

Is a dream poking at a dream

 

Then all is serene

No thoughts get entangled

No tensions and only joy