Curiosity

Lately I've been curious about curiosity. 

We share inquisitiveness with many other beings and yet we rarely remark on it (other than to note that it killed a cat many years ago).

Curiosity is fundamental to Zen training. We invoke curiosity when we look deeply into our lives. We engage it when we plunge into a koan or hua tou practice.

What is this?

How is it, just now?

Who am I?

In Zen, the spirit of curiosity is known as Great Question or Great Doubt. When the investigation consumes us -- becomes more pressing than any answer -- we join the ancients on the Great Way.

When I'm genuinely curious about a person or situation, I notice that my body changes. My hands become animated. My face softens and my eyes start to dance. A tiny smile appears, similar to the expression that we sometimes see on a Buddha statue.

I remember the great curiosity that appeared when Susann and I came together. I remember the joy I felt in the newness of this blessed person. Curiosity, I think, forms the basis of early love. But, of course, as we settle into relationships, the newness is replaced with familiarity. And sometimes we forget to look afresh at our companion.

Please join me in considering:

• How can we sustain curiosity over the many years of human relationship?
• What does curiosity feel like in the body? 
• How is it, just now? 

Photo of children by Simonas Gutautas

Photo of squirrel by Kai Schreiber

Comments

[Jordan]

Hi Barry,

* How can we sustain curiosity over the many years of human relationship?

Not years, just each passing breath is fine.

* What does curiosity feel like in the body?

Like new.

* How is it, just now?

Like new.

Thank you for blogging!

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Jordan,
Thank you for your just-now mind!
Barry

[Nathan]

What a great post Barry! It's exactly the story of my wife and I as well. Each day feels like a new life beginning.

How can we sustain curiosity over the many years of human relationship?
I think the heart of this question is the fact that everything changes. With new changes comes a new curiosity.

[Barry Briggs]

Yes, Nathan -- everything always changes. If we're not alive to the ongoing flux of life, if we cannot bring deep curiosity to it, then....we're not alive.