--- On Fri, 14/1/11, Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Not understanding mindfulness(to Chris/list) To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Received: Friday, 14 January, 2011, 4:05 AM On Thursday, January 13, 2011, Mel <[email protected]> wrote: > > --- On Thu, 13/1/11, Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> wrote: > > Practice doesn't change the nature of what living is. > ---------------------------------------------------------- > MEL: It doesn't change the conditions out there, but we can change from > within according to the BigMind, which is always in operation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The zen practice I am getting trained in does not draw a line between out there and within. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: Yes, that's the way it should be. Of course. Not 2 separate worlds, but one. Within, and without ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- conditions are conditions. It rains, I drop dishes, i get mad, i get happy, the sun rises. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: Buddha in action. All from Buddha, within Buddha, from Buddha.. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, we change any ways, what ever we think about the way we are. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: Yes we do, and perhaps through various influences..such as Zen and zazen itself ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am not completely against people trying to change, but I am skeptical. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: The change I was thinking of was more of the gentler type. The effort we make in Zen practise would more likely be in the lines of.... - getting (i)proper nutrition, and (ii)sufficient exercise and rest - putting body, mind, and spirit in proper order/place and therefore putting all without in their order/places Just as a healthy rainforest thrives all by itself without being tampered with by Man, so it is with the natural, original order within -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It seems to me most people would be better off trying to see their life clearly and make the current instant better rather than have some long term project to change themselves eventually. For me, such projects have screwed up more than they have fixed. Tomorrow will take care of itself. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: Yes, I agree ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Chris I snipped the things I basically agree with. An enjoyable exchange, thanks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEL: Thanking you also in peace Mel
