05/12/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk was presented by Thiemo on Mothers Day at the end of an introductory Sesshin (meditation retreat) at Green Dragon Temple. The Investigation of - “the true dragon” (Reality / Thusness) - in Sesshin is likened to the ancient story of the blind men investigating an Elephant. The speaker suggests that Forms and Ceremonies offer a path to wholeheartedly and intimately connect to the “dragon”. As babies we were in accord with the flow of Reality but as adults we lost connection by our focus on conceptual thinking. Returning to our original intimacy we need to learn the “backward step” that Dogen is teaching.