Zen Training by Katsuki Sekida

Author:Katsuki Sekida [Sekida, Katsuki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

28–30. Examples of reversible figures.

Reversible figures relate to perceptual phenomena, but similar patterns of oscillating activity also occur in relation to other mental functions. At any rate, the mood of childhood and the mood of the adult interchange with each other before one is aware of it. The change occurs very naturally in a child’s mind, but as one’s ego shell becomes stronger the change is often blocked.

Adults all carry ego shells on their backs. Their lives are narrowly confined, as if they were living in a fortress under threat of attack. To secure himself against the enemy’s onslaught, man takes on heavy burdens. He experiences great suffering—all the troubles, difficulties, strife, worry, and solitude that come from confining himself in his ego shell. He is unconsciously asking for help of some sort; he craves deliverance from his burdens. He is, in fact, surfeited with his own ego. Then there appears the reversible phenomenon: the child’s world pops up in the world of the adult. This often happens, but usually it is ignored.

The reversible figure contains in itself two patterns, and each of them appears alternately to alleviate perceptual fatigue. But the shifting of mood is hindered because of the strength of the firmly rooted ego. The effect of this obstruction is disastrous. Man must give vent to his pent-up worries and problems, and it often happens that he runs from the torture of actual life to become steeped in alcohol, or takes up some other would-be diversion that is in fact no more than a trap. Some go to the golf course or some other pleasant place to try to divert themselves and give some comfort to their egos. Others, however, will be forced by their situations, or by their own natures, to continue to gaze without relief or comfort at a world that is progressively narrowing down on them. Then a phenomenon occurs that is comparable to what happens when we stare at the edge of the railway platform: mental turbulence takes possession. The sufferer goes to a psychiatrist for consultation about his case. However, what he complains of to the doctor is only the symptom. The real cause of it is his narrowed-down mood.

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