I remembered an old Zen story when reading Philippians, when Paul says his desire is to depart and be with Christ, but remaining in the flesh is more necessary for their account.
The Zen story is about a Zen student who is with his dearly beloved teacher (who is dying). He asks his teacher, “When you die, where are you going to go?” The teacher said, “Straight to hell!” His student was shocked: “Why would you go to hell? You’ve lived an exemplary life, and you’ve helped so many people.” The teacher said, “If I don’t, who will look after you?”
In modern pop psychology, therapy, and in Western society itself, the emphasis is on keeping ourselves “safe.” Besides actually weakening ourselves and society in general, this narcissism stops any spiritual or personal growth. In Zen; it’s a death trap.
When the time comes, and it comes often, and we are asked to respond to what the world needs, what our families and those close to us need, can we respond like a Zen Master and go straight to hell? Or do we decide, out of fear, to keep ourselves safe?
“Straight to hell!” what a great parallel to what paul said. well spoken my friend!