Why Can't We Be "Just as We Are"? The Two Aspects of Sonomama

Even when we're told, "It's okay to be yourself," don’t you sometimes find yourself trying too hard or even denying who you are? In fact, the term "sonomama" has two layers. In this blog, I would like to draw a map of how we can return to our "sonomama" from the perspective of "muishizen" (無為自然) in Zen and the practical application of "sonomama" practices.

The "Sonoma" Before Observation: Fundamental Reality

The first aspect of "sonomama" refers to the raw state of the universe before it passes through the filter of human perception. This can be likened to the world of a newborn baby. In this nameless world, there is no meaning, value, or even boundaries; there is only "that" state of being. Here, there is absolute affirmation, transcending judgments of good and bad, with the principles of the universe manifesting as they are.

This state is akin to a silence or stillness that slips through your fingers the moment you think, "I understand." However, this fundamental reality cannot be recognized in our daily lives because, at the moment we "recognize" it, it has already been filtered through human perception. Zen enlightenment refers to the clarity of this reality before recognition.

Living as "Sonoma": The Fiction Created by Humans

On the other hand, what we call "life" is a "reflection" of "just as it is" projected onto the screen of our brain, a kind of narrative (fiction). We use tools like language, concepts, and timelines to translate vast reality into a "human-sized" narrative, living our lives as imitations. Creating this "copy," writing and performing our own stories is a fundamental human activity and a unique talent that colors our everyday lives.

This narrative is something we have devised to experience this world. It is essential to know that it is a "story." Based on that, we can enjoy the narrative to the fullest.

Integration: Life as Reality

What is important here is that these two do not exist separately; they are "integrated." "Reality as Sonomama" and "Fiction as Sonomama" are two sides of the same coin. We are required to live our stories to the fullest while being aware that our thoughts and lives are "reflections."

Moreover, recognizing that "the self living the story as fiction" is also a part of fundamental reality brings about significant healing. In the very moment we are earnestly living the "fiction of life," an "essential reality" resonates in the background, meant to be unrecognizable. In the place where these two merge into one, we can be liberated from "artifice" and truly return to a state of effortless action, to "Sonomama."

Conclusion

Today, try to become one with the sensation of that sip of tea you drink. Merging with the reality in front of you is the gateway to Sonomama. All there is is the way it is now. Embrace your current state as it is.

＊無為自然 (Muishizen)

This concept translates to "non-action" or "effortless action" in English. In Zen philosophy, muishizen represents a state of being that emphasizes harmony with the natural flow of the universe. It encourages individuals to act spontaneously and authentically, without force or resistance, allowing life to unfold as it naturally should. By embracing muishizen, one can cultivate a sense of peace and alignment with one's true self, free from the constraints of ego and societal expectations. This practice fosters an understanding that true wisdom and clarity emerge when we let go of our need to control and instead embrace the moment as it is.

words and photos by K E I K O