Roshi Bernie Glassman: Gate of Sweet Nectar 2015 (Part 3 of 5)

Part 3: Dialogue ensues! The question of feeding hungry spirits what they want versus feeding them what they need engages many voices. This leads on to: what is the difference between bearing witness and the reflex to get rid of, to “heal?” In Bernie’s opinion Bearing Witness retreats are all about fear, going to what’s scary. In the Gate, we repeat the final Dharani so as to call out yet once more to every last, scared, unworthy hungry ghost: “please, come and eat.” At that moment we can ask ourselves: what parts of myself and my world do I keep away? Who would I not invite to tea?