Reading 'Three Pillars of Zen' by Philip Kapleau.
Therein is the story of Dogen achieving full awakening through these words uttered by his master Ju-ching: "You must let fall body and mind." As Dogen heard these words his Mind's eye suddenly expanded in a flood of light and understanding.
Later, Dogen appeared at Ju-ching's room and lit a stick of incense as a ceremonial gesture and postrated himself before his master.
The master perceived at once from Dogen's walk, his postrations, and the comprehending look in his eyes that he had had a great enlightenment.
"Why are you lighting a stick of incense," he asked.
"I have experienced the dropping of body and mind," said Dogen.
"You have dropped body and mind, body and mind have indeed dropped," Ju-ching exclaimed.
Dogen remonstrated: "Don't give me your sanction so readily."
"I am not sanctioning you so readily."
Reversing their roles, Dogen demanded: "Show me that you are not readily sanctioning me."
And Ju-chin repeated: "This is body and mind dropped," demonstrating.
Whereupon Dogen prostrated himself again before his master as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
"That's 'dropping' dropped," added Ju-ching.
Dogen continued his zazen training in China for another two years before returning to Japan...
This is a story at the start of the book and I feel excited reading it!!!
How can one let fall body and mind?
*****
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