What Is Zen

Pacific Zen Institute Winter Sesshin, Santa Rosa, CA Jan. 10, 2010

China ink on xuan paper: 69.3 cm X 79 cm; scroll: 83.3 cm X 181.7 cm

During the evening Dharma Talk, John Tarrant Roshi spoke on “What is Zen?” Afterwards, I walked across the hall to my painting table, picked up the largest brush, loading it with much ink and water.

"What is Zen?" came forth with one energetic movement of the brush.

It seems to me Zen as authentic freedom often breaks form, including its own, and reaches through to formlessness. Along the way it celebrates everything, including the beauty of winkles and brokenness.