The first edition of Arrow to the Heart, Ken's commentary on his translation of the Heart Sutra appeared in late 2007. Santa Fe Radio Cafe host, Mary-Charlotte Domandi interviewed Ken a few months later. I have often returned to this snippet from the interview because it was like an arrow to my heart.
"Form is emptiness" is basically a statement that things aren't what they seem. We have this experience now. We experience a table, a wall, light, When we actually ask, "What is this we experience?" whether you look at from a scientific point of view or a philosophical point of view, the substantiality of the experience runs out like sand running through your fingers. What is this that we experience? It's very, very difficult to describe. And that's what "form is emptiness refers" to. Experience when examined, is ineffable; you can't say what it is.
I have long wished to sing or chant the Heart Sutra, but was unable to find a version that brings out its power and beauty. Br. Phap Linh's rendition inspired me to create a chant based on Ken's and Thich Nhat Hanh's translations. I worked with suno.com to create the voice and instrumentation. Listen here.
Related posts:
Profound Radiance: A Guided Meditation
Letting Go of More and More