The Zen of Advaita - Stephen H. Wolinsky Ph. D.

Zen Saying: “Realize the true manin a mask.”In order to crack the mask ofperceptions (the mind), firstremove the reflection of conceptsthat conceals the other side ofthe mirror (the emptiness). Oncethe perceptual mask, called mind,is cracked the emptiness “moves”from being an unnoticed everpresentbackground to an allpervadingforeground.However, ultimately, thisemptiness too is part of themirror of “perception”, theperceptual mask (mind), whichneeds to be unperceived.Zen Koan: “Two monks were arguingabout a flag. One said, “The flagis moving.” The other said, “Thewind is moving.” The Master said,“Not the wind, not the flag, mindis moving.”This Zen Koan focuses on thereflected side of the mirror,in this case the flag-wind-mindunity. However, initially, it doesnot attack the emptiness which isthe reflected object appearing inthe mirror.115