Greetings to all
Today, I got up, and the first thing I did was zazen. However, for a few
seconds I kept wondering whether to first 'cleanse'/prepare the surroundings by
tidying up(I'm a typical bachelor...I get messy real quick!) and then assume
the 'pretzl' posture(Blame Kristy..she taught me that term...*laughter*..)
Well, the 'pretzl' posture...I don't know, as I decided to pick my plastic
stool and sat. Hands on thighs, eyes half-closed, and posture straight..with
timer set, I just went for it. I found it fascinating. Whilst all sorts of
thought went flyin' by like the clouds above, I found the visions before me
fascinating. It was sort of gelatinous in the beginning, and then what little
light was coming through the curtains from the outside was changing according
to whether the sun was being blocked by the clouds, or shining freely and
without any hindrance. From light to 'dark'(read GREY), 'dark' to light. One
moment, I can see the junk around my room...another moment, just one big
blur..like looking through jelly. I was absolutely fascinated. The fact that I
didn't experience the discomfort and even pain that normally comes with the
'pretzl' posture for me made me enjoy the experience even more. However,
sitting on a stool as described was not without costs. I
often end up having to work harder to keep my posture straight(including from
the neck above) with such
Light to dark, dark to light, blurness to clearness and vice versa...it really
shows that Buddha never ever stays the same. We breath and compose ourselves,
and accept each change as it comes. One of the many thoughts that crossed my
mind was...how would I accept it if I lost an arm or a leg? We see many changes
in life, and we sometimes protest depending on the severity. Change can
sometimes be a real serious test of belief/faith
As for the junk around me which I did clear away afterwards...well...it is
strange to me that there are many who are in the dark about the Zen way of life
truly believe that everything must first be perfect (in the dualistic sense)
before zazen, and even before in what they perceive as the Zen way of life.
First, everything must be perfect...and then we can practise and live
Zen...HUH???
How does one escape the 'uncleaness' of this planet of ours so we can get down
to real serious zazen? We can't, and we live with the mess..and cope. Some
things are just beyond the individual's control. Looking at my junk before me
through half-closed eyes, I just thought to myself that this was just the tip
of the ice-berg. It's a reflection of the greater mess outside of my room..in
the greater world out there. The more mess, the less we see of the Buddha. We
are all in a mess. What was your original face? What were you before you were
born? What was there before, during, and after 'nothingness'? You can't see?
Too much mess?
in Buddha's grace
Mel
