Koan Kreativity XI
Using Ancient Wisdom to Inspire Modern Creativity
Presented as either a riddle or tale, the koan is instrumental to the Zen student’s path to enlightenment; by opening and freeing the mind from both outer and inner restrictions, the “empty mind” of the Zen student is more open to insight and realization that could be achieved in no other way.
As artists and creative people we, too, need the benefit of an “empty mind.” Our own creative insights and realizations become more tangible and workable when we clear away the clutter of fear, apathy, negativity, and all other potentially destructive restrictions that we may have learned in our lives.
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Gisho’s Work
Gisho was ordained as a nun when she was just ten years old. She received training just as the little boys did. When she reached the age of sixteen she traveled from one Zen master to another, studying with them all.
She remained three years with Unzan, six years with Gukei, but was unable to obtain a clear vision. At last, she went to the master Inzan.
Inzan showed her no distinction at all on account of her sex. He scolded her like a thunderstorm. He cuffed her to awaken her inner nature.
Gisho remained with Inzan for thirteen years, and then she found that which she was seeking!
In her honor, Inzan wrote a poem:
“This nun studied thirteen years under my guidance.
“In the evening she considered the deepest koans.
“In the morning she was wrapped in other koans.
“The Chinese nun Tetsuma surpassed all before her.
“And since Mujaku none has been so genuine as this Gisho!
“Yet there are many more gates for her to pass through.
“She should receive still more blows from my iron fist.”
After Gisho was enlightened she went to the province of Banshu, started her own Zen temple, and taught two hundred other nuns until she passed away one year in the month of August.
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Our artistic experiences can take us to many places and situations. Like Gisho, we may have many more gates to pass through and we may have many more blows to receive.
Creativity can be (at times) a difficult master; the artist is tested and measured not by how many successes she or he can amass, but by the failures endured. The artist becomes conditioned to thrive, in spite of disappointments.
There will be many times when our creative projects may be scorned by others or completely ignored. There will be many times when we ourselves doubt the True Voice within us that’s calling to us to be our true creative selves, and we’re ready to throw in the towel (or the brush, or the camera, or the pen, or the ballet slippers).
There’s a scene in the movie Rocky Balboa where Rocky lectures his son about life:
“Let me tell you something you already know — the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much can you take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!
“I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life.”
Want to be an artist? Want to be a creative force in this world? Be like Gisho. Or Rocky.
