Chris, I like these quotes from Warner-Schwarner better than the first one presented which he evidently didn't like either.
The only wee caveat I'd put on just one of his very excellent points below is on his statement: [Warner-Schwarner] "If you think a lot, then that is the content of your experience. If you transcend all thought and zone out into pure white light or whatever, then that is the content of your experience. Neither one is better or worse than the other. Our habit of defining certain experiences as better or worse than others is the problem." As I've posted over and over again, it's not thinking that occludes Buddha Nature, it is the ATTACHMENT to thinking - or the ATTACHMENT to 'pure white light' - or (IMO) ATTACHMENT to jhanas. One thing is not better than the other - or as Zen Master Hae Kwang is reported to have said: "The Great Way is not difficult, Just don't pick and choose. If you cut off all likes or dislikes Everything is clear like space." For the full passage you can go to: http://www.peterfox.com.au/mental_map_zen.htm <http://www.peterfox.com.au/mental_map_zen.htm> ...Bill! --- In [email protected], Chris Austin-Lane <chris@...> wrote: > > Lol! > > The history of that page is he wrote a book in which one chapter was > his 'Enlighenment' experience, rather typical such chapter based on my > readings of Three Pillers of Zen and other "White Guy Goes to Japan > and Gets Enlightened" type books. Then that chapter was anthologized > into Best Buddhist Writins of 20xx and prefaced with the description > that it is a description of kensho. Mr. Warner took offense to the > current usage of the word kensho as used in current Western zen, which > some people seem to mistake for a goal or a certification. > > He is particularly opposed to the idea that something can happen which > permanently makes life happy and carefree. The most profound > enlightenment, but still the student may die before the teacher. Life > is life, just as we see it. There is no solution, no answer, and > kensho, while a natural consequence of the right conditions, is simply > showing what passes before a thousand times a day. > > Here's some more current writing: > > > > > > >The goal (or even "a goal") of zazen is not to clear your mind of thoughts. There is no goal of zazen. > > >This is the hardest part of zazen practice; that there is no goal or point to it. You just sit and experience > > what you experience while sitting. That's it. > > >If you think a lot, then that is the content of your experience. If you transcend all thought and zone > >out into pure white light or whatever, then that is the content of your experience. Neither one > >is better or worse than the other. Our habit of defining certain experiences as better or > >worse than others is the problem. > > >Of course it's best not to use your zazen as a time to sit and ponder stuff. You are > >encouraged to let your thoughts go as soon as they appear. But that's not the same > >as trying to clear your mind of thoughts. Attempting to clear your mind of thoughts > >is just another type of goal-oriented intentional activity. Goal-oriented intentional > >activity is always problematic because it separates you from the real > >moment of the present. > > > On May 25, 2011 5:54 PM, "Bill!" BillSmart@... wrote: > > Siska, > > The excerpt in the link I read didn't seem to be mainstream anything. > In this article he basically wrote the following about 'kensho': > - He hadn't had one > - He had never talked to anyone who claimed to have had one > - He sarcastically described it as a 'download of knowledge from the > cosmos' and that it would 'solve all your problems' - both of which > are untrue. > > I'd bascially sum up my opinion of him as: Warner-Schrwarner. > > ...Bill! > > --- In [email protected], siska_cen@ wrote: > >> Hi Chris, > > > > > The difference between sitting daily and sitting for a long period of time is sub... > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Chris Austin-Lane chris@ > > Sender: Zen_Forum@... To: [email protected] > > > Reply-To: Zen_Forum@yahoogrou >
