Troy Southgate

Nov 07, 2024

OVER the last few years I have tried to draw a number of interesting comparisons between National-Anarchism and Eastern philosophy, the most notable of these being Taoism and Zen Buddhism. A further example of this comes to us by way of Masuno Shunmyō (b. 1953), a famous Japanese monk and landscape gardener. His belief that a dialogue must take place between the plants, rocks and waterfalls reminds me of the relationship that exists between National-Anarchists who have different beliefs and yet who each adhere to the principle of Anarchism itself.

It is Masuno’s belief that Zen Buddhists “must respect each other, sustain and preserve each other in a mutuality of help and assistance”. Everything that exists, he argues, has a kokoro (mind/heart) and it is this which allows us to appreciate the manifestation of a common principle in whatever form it takes. “There is rock kokoro,” he tells us, “and there is tree kokoro”. The fact that rocks and plants are said to express their own mind and heart means that the prospective gardener must arrange things very carefully indeed, ensuring that “there is a mutuality of influence and effect. This can be difficult to achieve, because it involves a meeting of kokoro with kokoro”. He listens to the garden speak and each component desires its own space.

By grasping the overarching formula that complements the interconnectedness of all things, Masuno is essentially discussing the kind of world in which National-Anarchists choose to reside. Our political family is very akin to the rocks and plants of the Japanese garden, so the fact that National-Anarchists may be black or white, straight or homosexual, spiritual or atheist, is testimony to the tolerant and non-coercive dialogue that takes place between kokoro and kokoro. The great link between us all is thus reflected in the shared desire for mutual respect and self-determination. Our ‘interconnectedness,’ in other words, is National-Anarchism itself. It is the umbrella beneath which we have gathered for a common purpose.

In a wider perspective, once we humans have learnt to decide both how and where we intend to live – just as Masuno seeks his own place within the wonderful diversity of the Zen garden – this activity must be done in accordance with nature.