“Dwell nowhere and browse that.”
It was 36 degrees out with a weak sun shining through a hazy sky – a warm winter’s day in Chicago. After a delicious impromptu breakfast at the Buzz Café, my husband and I strolled arm in arms linked, down Harrison Street towards the Brown Elephant, Oak Park’s premier thrift shop.
“I haven’t been to the Brown Elephant in a long time, and I think I’ll visit it this afternoon. I don’t need anything; I just want to browse,” I said.
“Dwell nowhere and browse that,” he said.
That brought a smile to my face. ‘Dwell nowhere and browse that’ is a modern-day Zen koan. Koans get your brain thinking. However, an intellectual answer never gets you anywhere with koans. The answer is a full body response that’s immediate. Koans are meant to wake you up to the moment.
This koan also describes Zen meditation. Sitting still on your chair or cushion, just breathing in and then breathing out. Noting or browsing what comes up and then letting thoughts go and returning to breath or body.
But can we dwell nowhere and still be in our everyday lives - focused on doing something else – like washing the dishes, or laundry or vacuuming or doing yoga or dancing hula or walking or just simply listening to someone when they talk to you? If you can get out of the way, I’d say yes. You is defined as your ego or self-consciousness which is like central headquarters. You're always checking into central headquarters asking questions like: how am I doing? do I look good? do I sound smart? Am I smart?
When you can let go of your ego, trust yourself and open your heart, you are dwelling nowhere.
What about fear and anxiety and all those other negative emotions that arise? First note if you are physically safe. That's important. Then notice the emotions or feelings, hang out and breathe with them as much as you can. Notice if there’s a story that runs through your mind with it. Let the story go if you can, even if it’s degrees of letting go. Refocus on your breath, especially long outbreaths. Be gentle with yourself. Do as much as you can, then rest, repeat.
And cultivating calmness through regular practice can help you think clearly during times of duress.
If you are looking for some opportunities to practice in our halau or sangha community, there are multiple opportunities this month that can help:
We are conducting a two day silent meditation retreat February 7 & 8 to ground ourselves and build resilience.*
I am leading a Hula and Meditation workshop on February 9, to cultivate aloha (love) & courage as we gently stretch, and move to renew our body, mind, and spirit. All teenagers are invited to attend for free.*
Robert Althouse, my husband, is offering a Meditation for Everyone course. The four week meditation series is designed to clarify how to open your heart and trust your true nature. It starts Saturday, February 15.*
We invite you to explore and practice with us. Being in community is good for the heart.
Malama pono,
June Kaililani Tanoue, Kumu Hula
*Hybrid events – participants can attend in person or over zoom.