Over the course of ten Compass of Zen classes, a student has begun to recognize the karmic entanglement with their mother. Since childhood, there was a deep yearning for her approval, which led to discomfort in spending time with her alone. Through the teachings, the student has come to see that the root of this suffering lies in attachment to the concepts of “I,” “mine,” and “me.” During a recent lunch with the mother, the student consciously chose to perceive her simply as she is—without the habitual lens of insecurity, ego, or verbal aggression. This shift in perception led to a surprising outcome: the mother did not scold, and the student felt less fear and more ease in her presence.
In earlier years, the student often found themselves in heated debates with Christians, driven by a belief in the superiority of Buddhist philosophy and a strong desire to be right. There was a tendency to label the church, Christians, and Israelis as evil. Through deeper understanding gained in the classes, the student now sees these judgments as manifestations of dualistic thinking and personal attachment. Letting go of this duality has brought greater harmony in relationships with friends and relatives, allowing for more genuine connection beyond rigid views