Everything is Best

When Banzan was walking through a market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer.

"Give me the best piece of meat you have," said the customer.

"Everything in my shop is the best," replied the butcher. "You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best."

At these words Banzan was enlightened.

(Taken from 'Zen Flesh, Zen Bones', by Reps and Senzaki)

Like old Banzan, if we look with a pure eye - the Eye of Dharma - everything is best. That doesn't mean we shouldn't work to improve on things, for even such activity is part of the perfection of the moment. We are entering the realm of 'suchness' when we open the Dharma Eye: everything is thus, is best. The weather is 'just so', these thoughts, sensations, and emotions are 'just so'. Everything, as the butcher says, is best.