That's the thing with me Deborah. I tend to be judged quite harshly by many. At the same time, most do not know of my past Karate background, and especially my affinity for the samurai works HAGAKURE, A BOOK OF 5 RINGS, and so on...as well as with the teachings of Zen teacher Taisen Deshimaru. The old karate master Funakoshi-sensei brought karate not only to Japan but also to the Western public. People imagine that I follow(or would have followed, or will do so) by the philosophical teachings of peace and harmony from the old karate master. I don't
I sort of understand where you're coming from, but I myself have not gone far enough at this stage with the TaoTeChing, Chuang Tzu, and other Taoist works as I've been busy building my foundations within Zen, first and foremost since I left the church for good earlier this year. Twice I have voluntarily tried living the life of a biblically-guided Semite, and twice the venture failed. Buddha(or whatever description anybody want to use) on the other hand, taught me real compassion, even if that compassion means avoiding an in-coming fist or kick, and returning with a blow if I really must. Sometimes, compassion can also mean putting an animal out of its misery Dualistically-speaking, I like Zen, but I also relate to the samurai way of thinking to a certain extent. I have also enjoyed what little I've studied so far of things Taoist Buddha be praised Mel --- On Fri, 25/3/11, Deborah Mingins <[email protected]> wrote: Mel Taoism says it another way..."When a superior man hears of the Tao, he immediately begins to embody it. When an average man hears of the Tao, he half believes it, half doubts it. When a foolish man hears of the Tao he laughs out loud. If he didn't laugh, it wouldn't be the Tao." [email protected]
