Thats an excellent statement, Chris. I should have stated that my comments reflected my understanding of karma. .. I'm always open to learning.. k
--- On Thu, 11/18/10, Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> wrote: From: Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 4:11 PM Is that what people mean by karma? I was taught that "karma" means "action," and that the Buddha just meant that to be mean is an unpleasant state to be in; the effect and the cause are indivisible, the very blindness that pushes the brain towards being mean makes the heat of anger burn the brain a bit. When one is free enough from ego/blindness, the heat of anger has space in which to dissapate harmlessly, and the more pleasant baseline state of our brain is re-established. On Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: Anthony, One problem I have with karma is that it assumes some pre-determination to our life experience. In my view, most of the problems in society around the globe stem from theology differences. Let me ask you: What is so fearful about a belief that once our mortal body dies, we are just gone? This fear of death has created so many myths and fantasies to explain away death, by soothing our ego, so we can believe our "soul" energy is transformed to some other type of existence. This fear of God /Satan / or karmic retribution only encourages a state of fear within, and a judgement of others by comparison. What is your worst-possible fear once you die? Once you are aware of the answer, deal with that realization. It is my feeling that these belief structures only reinforce the negativity that keeps us separate from self-awareness and compassion, then extended to those around us, and then social orders beyond. I don't know for certain whether karma exists or not, but I am comfident that there is not a person living today who can explain it accurately. I see it as a means to help one stay in fear, rather than compassion. This idea of some heavenly or spirit retribution for all your mistakes. Why wake up in the morning and get out of bed? Its all just a means to somehow "earn" the next trip back? So what if I end up a pidgeon or an ant? So what if I simply return to the dust of the earth? According to Mormons, every one has an afterlife, as a human being, in one of three levels of heaven. Your assigned level is dependent on one's behavior and faith in this mortal existence. If you are really good, (and you are male), you will eventually become a God of your own world. So many different belief systems. So much of this is rooted in fear and ego-- our deep need to feel that we matter, somehow. I'm not judging or balking at those who believe in karma. If it works for you, thats fine. But I know it doesn't work quite the way you think it does.. You asked how else to explain some events? Why does everything always need to be rationalized and explained? (And remember I am saying this as a science and social scientist). I remember learning a fundamental Law in a 1A physiology class as a freshman. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed: It is merely transformed. Okay, that can be debited to the karma ledger in a mild sense. But it does not suggest a theology framework. I was raised a Christian, and still go to church at times--like Christmas and Easter. I embrace many buddhist philosophies. I have some very close Jewish friends, and last Thanksgiving, we shared their traditions. I practice zen daily. For me, these practices simply help refine my character and compassion, so that I can focus on doing the right things in this life, rather than the next. Kristy --- On Wed, 11/17/10, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 3:19 PM Kristy, I don't mean to start a new thread, but you can deny karma, as much as you do Newton's Law. However, you keep seeing things that cannot be explained away other than by karma. Just like you cannot ignore gravity and fly in the sky. Anthony --- On Thu, 18/11/10, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, 18 November, 2010, 5:25 AM Anthony, That simply proves that God has a good sense of humor. Kristy --- On Wed, 11/17/10, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 2:20 PM Kristy, If karma did not exist, why were you born a smart woman, why I, stupid man? What is a better theory than karma? Anthony --- On Wed, 17/11/10, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: From: Kristy McClain <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, 17 November, 2010, 6:18 AM Anthony, You are starting with a premise that karma exists. How do you know it does? k --- On Tue, 11/16/10, Anthony Wu <[email protected]> wrote: From: Anthony Wu <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 1:13 PM Mayka/ED, Most of us are deeply bound by karma so that we are bored by 'just this'. I believe we can find satisfaction by just sitting down and eventual enlightenment, but we are way from that 'goal'. So perhaps Bill can improve his way of teaching like guiding children away from their toys. Anthony --- On Tue, 16/11/10, Maria Lopez <[email protected]> wrote: From: Maria Lopez <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, 16 November, 2010, 7:17 PM ED: Thank you for both links. It's been particularly interesting reading controversial Brad W reply in connection with Big Mind and Genpo Roshi...and my conclusion about the whole thing is, that hearts feel profoundly grateful for having found Thich Nhat Hanh dharma in those years in which his home was not too crowded, not too polluted by westerners speculation, aggression and most of it self, ego. There are teachings that shouldn't be passed onto westerners in such a light way. Big Mind might be one of those (I wouln't know because first hearing was in American websites) . And yet there is the possibility that in the original eastern environment (perhaps under a differente name) have the effect of a most powerful way of breaking through the self by exposing it. Building up a bond in the process with other practitioners sailing in the same boat. People don't want the simplicity of Buddhism and not certainly zen. I wouldn't put the blame to anyone but just in oneself incapacity of seeing what is there presented in simplicity. For instance Anthony himself has pointed out more than once the boredom of "just this" or sitting down. We look for excitement all the time. No one external to blame afterwards if we get hurt but just oneselves Mayka --- On Tue, 16/11/10, ED <[email protected]> wrote: From: ED <[email protected]> Subject: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, 16 November, 2010, 5:44 "Big Mind" "Merzel began developing the "Big Mind" process in 1999, after having taught more traditional Zen meditation and koan study for more than twenty years. The process is intended to allow anyone — including non-Buddhists — to experience "the enlightenment of the Buddha". The process is designed as a combination of Eastern meditation and Western psychological techniques to transmit the essence of Zen teachings in a way that is readily accessible and relevant to Westerners, a realization they can further deepen through meditation. The Big Mind process is claimed to enable participants to get in touch with various aspects of themselves by inviting them to identify as and speak from these aspects or states of mind. The teacher walks participants through interactions with different aspects of their mind, including ordinary, finite ones such as the Protector, the Skeptic and Desiring Mind; and possibly less familiar, "transcendent" ones such as the "Non-Seeking/Non-Grasping Mind", "the Way", and "Big Mind and Big Heart". Since 1999, he has offered workshops to more than 20,000 individuals all around the world. In addition to presentations in cities in North America and Europe, Genpo Roshi has made "Big Mind" available on DVDs and online. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Genpo_Merzel#cite_note-4 Also see: http://hardcorezen.blogspot.com/2010/04/big-mind-sucks-part-million.html --- In [email protected], Kristy McClain <healthypl...@...> wrote: > Chris, To the contrary. I do not recommend Big Mind , necessarily. In fact, I have said here that it is not a process that works for me. It seems a bit like group therapy, but not about zen. I know it well, as I have a home in UT, (though I live in CA). Gempo Roshi's zen center is just two miles from my home there. I did attend many meditation groups , classes and even a few retreats there.. I am friends with Diane Musho Hamilton, and she received her transmission from Gempo Roshi. Actually, I have been critical of this teaching model in the past, but now-- Well, I truly feel that there are different methods that work for different personalities and cultures. So, if one finds Big Mind meaningful, thats okay by me. I don't believe in one recipe. I do think it may attract people who would not normally include zen, or any spiritual practice in their lives. If so, then, I think there is a benefit to society at large. ... Kristy
