The naked sky is wearing a loose-fitting grey blouse today.
Her presence feels melancholic yet cosy and close.
Low enough to touch the tips of trees outside my office window.
In the background, her silver-coated body hugs the bottom of the mountain.
A sombre and silent embrace between two enduring gods.
The rocky peaks perhaps penetrating her gloomy garment.
Betraying the bare blue heavens above.
Although I enjoy today's outfit, there is a slightly urgent eagerness for her to disrobe. To drop the dress before day’s end, and reveal our beautiful moon, which will shine in its fullness later tonight.
I may need to climb the mountain to touch its brightness.
ONE BRIGHT MOON
The unfolding scene outside my office window reminds me of my favourite poem.
Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain,
but at the peak,
we all gaze at the
single bright moon.
―Ikkyu
I enjoy Ikkyu’s poem because it points so directly to the understanding that at the hot melting core of all the world’s religious teachings, lasting spiritual traditions, perennial philosophies and solo mysticisms lies the same undeniable truth about the nature of our being.
We may call this truth different things depending on our cultural heritage or particular idiosyncrasies. We may dress it up in certain sensibilities and favour familiar faces that spoke of the truth’s character.
Yet, in the end, those who arrive at the understanding all gaze at the same single bright moon.
How beautiful the possibility that we may rejoice and dance with one another in such clarity, no matter how different our backgrounds.
Despite our diverse upbringings, social influences and language gaps, this understanding, once seen and felt, is shared across humanity. The orthodox Jews, Chinese Daoists, Sufi mystics, Zen Buddhists and rebellious truth seekers, all arriving at the same mountain top.
Isn’t that delightful?
Especially given how polarising and divided the world appears to be at the moment.
THE MANY PATHS
The other important piece of wisdom in Ikkyu’s poem is the acknowledgement that there are many paths to the single bright moon.
There isn’t just one way up the mountain. There aren’t even hundreds. ‘Many’ here is unlimited. Countless. An infinite number of ways.
Why?
Because every single human being’s journey to this understanding is different.
There is nothing the world can give you that would make you arrive at the top of the mountain. No guru can hand it down to you. No church can bless you with it. No book you read can unlock it for you. No belief you take on gives you a lift to it. No experience you have can do the walking for you.
It is entirely up to you to walk your own path to the top of the mountain. Sincerity, devotion and total responsibility are required at entry.
This is the only way.
Of course, there may be guides along the path. Religious texts that point you in the right direction. Events that remove obstacles. Saints that give you energy and model a sense of possibility. But these forces are all worth nothing if there isn’t complete and utter responsibility for each step taken along your path.
As Jiddu Krishnamurti echoed many times, “You have to be a light to yourself!”
In trying to walk on the same path together,
we inevitably end up in different places.
Walking bravely along our own paths,
we end up together in the same place—
at the top of the mountain, smiling at the same single bright moon.
The only way upward is inward.
Walk your path.
Take care,
David
“ It is entirely up to you to walk your own path to the top of the mountain. Sincerity, devotion and total responsibility are required at entry.”
Beautiful Dave!