Hello Beverley, Bill and all Bill, you seem to be much better in putting things in words much better than I, and so I'll see if I can leave it to someone like yourself or another forum member (who follows zen) if my explanations are not adequate
Beverley, there is nothing intellectual about zen. The intellectual discussions that goes on with zen whether here or anywhere else is not a part of zen. Zen as it's base level has only 2 things it possesses...zazen, and daily living. A book like ZEN MIND BEGINNER'S MIND gives some ideas for the head, but it's not a bible of zen as such. There are no formal instructions in zen at its base level Zen has its calming aspect, which is zazen. Many outsiders and new seekers get the impression that zazen is calmness, and yet true calmness is in activity right in the middle of the world's hustle and bustle. Also, zen is not about morals, or even clean living. Sometimes, one has to do bad or ugly things because it's the natural thing to do. I'd try to tell you otherwise, but then again, I'm not a salesman selling zen to you as a product of sorts. Despite the Bodhisattva vows, there is no evangelism in zen. Such an idea is just ridiculous That'll be it for the moment, and I'll have to come back later to talk more about BigMind. Sorry buddy, but I've bee quite sick of late from the cold winter weather Buddha be praised Mel
