Watching the phases of the moon. Feeling the swell and ebb of tides. Other tides draw me on still. The serpent turns seeking but fails to see. A darkness looms. Now I recognize the way. I trip, I fall, I brake untill I am no more. The darkness is not empty it could be no more full. Reaching, impossible distances. It is alone in the emptiness that the light blooms.
At the heart of the galactic plane of our cosmos is a supermassive black hole. I know it. It is the utter fullness of things. And far too much for me. --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote: > > Rewrist, > > Au contraire mon ami! > > The abyss is empty. > > Order is just another illusion created by your discriminating, rational mind. > > In order to jump into the abyss you need to quit clinging to these illusions. > > Last one in's a rotten egg! ...Bill! > > --- In [email protected], "rewrisk" <rewrisk@> wrote: > > > > Rubbish! > > The Abyss may be dark but it is hardly empty so do not speak to me of what > > you do not know phillosopher. > > Reality is entirely ordered to the unfettered mind. > > Chaos is a failure to grasp reality. > > > > --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@> wrote: > > > > > > Rewrisk, > > > > > > The abyss is the absence of rationality - chaos. And yes you must jump > > > into it (the unknown and unknowable) to rid yourself of your attachments. > > > > > > But don't to it so as to know. The abyss does not contain knowledge or > > > the access to knowledge or illumination of some kind. The abyss is > > > completely dark and empty. > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > --- In [email protected], "rewrisk" <rewrisk@> wrote: > > > > > > > > No? > > > > You are quite wrong. > > > > They are all true! > > > > > > > > The abyss is real and you must 'jump' into it. > > > > If you would know? > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Anthony, > > > > > > > > > > Zen stories, perhaps even more than most, are symbolic - many are > > > > > allegories and should not be taken literally. I say zen stories use > > > > > this device more than most because much of what zen is about cannot > > > > > be totally expressed with words - espcially written words. > > > > > Face-to-face dialog is better, but as you know some zen masters tried > > > > > to express and communicate their experience of Buddha Nature without > > > > > words - with just sounds or even just actions. At least that's my > > > > > opinion. > > > > > > > > > > The 'Jumping into the Abyss' phrase/allegory was taken from what > > > > > you've called the physical world. When we stand at the edge of an > > > > > abyss and contemplate jumping we will probably be terrified. It > > > > > would take an act of either extreme desperation or faith to jump. > > > > > > > > > > That is the same kind of desparation or faith that is needed to sever > > > > > all attachements to the illusion of 'self' and rationality and throw > > > > > yourself into the 'abyss' - Buddha Nature. > > > > > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill, > > > > > >  > > > > > > Quote: in zen stories as 'leaping into the abyss' > > > > > >  > > > > > > Since the physical world is part of the reality, can you do that > > > > > > physically? > > > > > >  > > > > > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@> > > > > > > To: [email protected] > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, 11 January 2012, 10:19 > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, How did > > > > > > your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  > > > > > > Siska, > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, the concept of cause-and-effect is illusory. > > > > > > > > > > > > The belief in cause-and-effect is an attempt by your discriminating > > > > > > mind to 'understand' reality, to 'make sense'of experience which is > > > > > > fundamentally chaotic. It is a process of breaking up wholistic > > > > > > experience (Just THIS!) into pieces, and then to categorize and > > > > > > even directly associating some pieces with others by assigning a > > > > > > dependent cause-and-effect relationship to these pairs or sets of > > > > > > pieces. The establishment of these cause-and-effect relationships > > > > > > are done to fit your needs at the time. They are not absolute, > > > > > > objective or real. They are relational, subjective and illusory - > > > > > > this is because they are dependent upon your dualistic concept of > > > > > > self/other. The illusion of cause-and-effect helps you feel more > > > > > > comfortable and gives you a certain sense of control of life. > > > > > > > > > > > > The concept of karma is a spritualized version of cause-and-effect > > > > > > which is usually thought of as purely a physical relationship. > > > > > > > > > > > > The letting go of this illusion is sometimes referred to in zen > > > > > > stories as 'leaping into the abyss', or 'taking a step off the > > > > > > 100-ft flagpole'. These are teachings telling you that you must let > > > > > > go of your attachments (espcially to logic and the belief in > > > > > > cause-and-effect), come out of your fantasy comfort zone, throw > > > > > > away your illusory security blanket and throw yourself completly > > > > > > into the stark unknown and unknowable. > > > > > > > > > > > > There's no comforting assurance of cause-and-effect there. Just > > > > > > THIS! > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], siska_cen@ wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Bill, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The killing is not the cause and the dieing the effect. > > > > > > > Would you then say that cause and effect is illusory? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Siska > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > > > > From: "Bill!" <BillSmart@> > > > > > > > Sender: [email protected] > > > > > > > Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:18:32 > > > > > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > > > > > Reply-To: [email protected] > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, How > > > > > > > did your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Anthony, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > When I said 'outside agency' I meant 'outside of you' or 'other > > > > > > > than you'. When you say 'karma functions by itself' you are > > > > > > > implying that karma exists independently of you; like when you > > > > > > > say 'not my will but Yours (God's) be done' you are implying that > > > > > > > God exists independently of you. You are implying that 'karma' > > > > > > > and 'God' are 'outside agencies' - outside of and/or separate > > > > > > > from you. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I am saying that both the concept of 'karma' and 'God' and all > > > > > > > their supposed attributes and associated powers/activites are NOT > > > > > > > separate from you. That are created by you - by your > > > > > > > discriminating mind. They are illusory. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If you kill, there is killing. If you are killed, you die. If you > > > > > > > loot, there is looting. If you are looted, you loose property. > > > > > > > The killing is not the cause and the dieing the effect. It is the > > > > > > > same action viewed or described from two perspectives. It is Just > > > > > > > THIS! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This is my experience...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill, > > > > > > > > à> > > > > > > > The difference is that karma does not rely on God or any other > > > > > > > > 'outside agent'. It functions by itself. On the other hand, if > > > > > > > > you deny karma, does that mean whatever you do, whether > > > > > > > > killing, looting or burning, does not have any effects? You may > > > > > > > > say you rely on law to take care of it. But that is part of > > > > > > > > karma, at the human level. Nevertheless, it is more realistic > > > > > > > > than reliance on God. if all are illusory, killing and looting > > > > > > > > will be out of control. In that case, believing in God is > > > > > > > > better than believing in nothing. > > > > > > > > à> > > > > > > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@> > > > > > > > > To: [email protected] > > > > > > > > Sent: Monday, 9 January 2012, 13:00 > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, How > > > > > > > > did your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > à> > > > > > > > Anthony, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > How are they different concepts? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Both have to do with action/reaction (cause and effect), and > > > > > > > > both exist as a concept in your mind. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Labeling some actions/reactions or cause/effect as good or bad > > > > > > > > (good deeds lead to reward or sin leads to punishment; or > > > > > > > > accumulation of [bad] karma leads to being re-born as a toad) > > > > > > > > is just packaging. Likewise attributng the enforcement of > > > > > > > > actions/reactions or cause/effect to an outside agency such as > > > > > > > > karma or God is also just packaging. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It all looks the same to me - illusory, dualistic packaging. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Bill, > > > > > > > > > Ãâà> > > > > > > > > It is a different message you wrap in the same envelope. > > > > > > > > > Ãâà> > > > > > > > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@> > > > > > > > > > To: [email protected] > > > > > > > > > Sent: Monday, 9 January 2012, 9:15 > > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, > > > > > > > > > How did your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ãâà> > > > > > > > > Anthony, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You definition of karma is well stated, but why do you not > > > > > > > > > think that definition could not also be applied to the > > > > > > > > > Christian concept of sin/obedience and Hell/Heaven? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For me it's the same message in a different envelope. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > That is not karma, but reward and punishment by God. Karma > > > > > > > > > > is action and reaction by yourself through your own mind > > > > > > > > > > (or Buddha nature). > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@> > > > > > > > > > > To: [email protected] > > > > > > > > > > Sent: Sunday, 8 January 2012, 18:03 > > > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, > > > > > > > > > > How did your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > Christians beleive in 'karma' also: if you're 'good' you go > > > > > > > > > > to Heaven and if you're 'bad' you go to Hell...Bill! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Anthony Wu <wuasg@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ItÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâàis not at all > > > > > > > > > > > surprising that you got a funny reaction from people > > > > > > > > > > > surrounding you when you said you were interested in > > > > > > > > > > > Buddhism. Try doing the same thing with Moslems, and you > > > > > > > > > > > get a funnier response. Even in this forum, which is less > > > > > > > > > > > hostile to Buddhism, you find different views on it. > > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > > The key point in Buddhism is karma. But Hinduism also > > > > > > > > > > > agrees to karma. The difference between the two is the > > > > > > > > > > > former insists that karma is your own business, nobody > > > > > > > > > > > else can help you change it. However, in Hinduism, there > > > > > > > > > > > are powerful deities who respond to your requests and > > > > > > > > > > > assist you. Don't forget we are a zen forum, and there > > > > > > > > > > > are a view I term chaotic zen, which denies anything on > > > > > > > > > > > karma, or any laws or rules. They say everything is in > > > > > > > > > > > chaos. On the other hand, you will also hear all kinds of > > > > > > > > > > > Buddhist views here. I hope you have fun here. > > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > > Anthony > > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > > > > > > From: dan_guzy <dan_guzy@> > > > > > > > > > > > To: [email protected] > > > > > > > > > > > Sent: Saturday, 7 January 2012, 16:08 > > > > > > > > > > > Subject: [Zen] When you began learning about buddhism, > > > > > > > > > > > How did your friends & family react? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ÃÆ'Ã'âââ¬à ¡ÃÆ'ââ¬Å¡Ãâà> > > > > > > > > > > I seem to be having trouble with this. I'm new to > > > > > > > > > > > buddhism, just recently starting reading up on it the > > > > > > > > > > > past several months, although technically I've been > > > > > > > > > > > exposed to it for many years through a variety of tv > > > > > > > > > > > shows, movies, etc. My favorite was Kung Fu: The Legend > > > > > > > > > > > Continues. Don't know why, but the scenes with the > > > > > > > > > > > shoalin temple and buddhist monks were always my > > > > > > > > > > > favorite. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Although I haven't come right out and said to my family > > > > > > > > > > > (except for my sister) that I'm learning about Buddhism, > > > > > > > > > > > they've seen the books and notes I leave to myself > > > > > > > > > > > pertaining to it. So far, it has not been encouraging. > > > > > > > > > > > They kind of give a disgusted look or a groan when they > > > > > > > > > > > see it that suggests that they are not happy about it. > > > > > > > > > > > They are catholics. I'm an atheist (which they've known > > > > > > > > > > > for years). When I finally told my sister that I'd like > > > > > > > > > > > to visit a temple in town, she got disqusted and said > > > > > > > > > > > "why? You'll never go with me to my church, but you'll go > > > > > > > > > > > to a buddhist church?" I didn't know what to say, so I > > > > > > > > > > > told her the truth, that I didn't feel anything for > > > > > > > > > > > catholicism anymore, and that it didn't feel like the > > > > > > > > > > > right religion for me. She wasn't pleased. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Then today I was having a chat with a co-worker and boss > > > > > > > > > > > at work. I get along great with both of them, known them > > > > > > > > > > > for several years. My co-worker mentioned she and her > > > > > > > > > > > husband were atheists, so I told her I was too. We both > > > > > > > > > > > got a kick out of it realizing that we never knew that > > > > > > > > > > > about each other. Then I mentioned to her that I had been > > > > > > > > > > > reading up on buddhism lately, and she gave the same kind > > > > > > > > > > > of groan I've been hearing from my family. My boss just > > > > > > > > > > > sort of gave a look of shock and disbelief, didn't say > > > > > > > > > > > anything. I couple of weeks or so before that, I was > > > > > > > > > > > discussing various books with another boss that we like > > > > > > > > > > > to read, and I mentioned one I'd been reading called the > > > > > > > > > > > Peaceful Warrior. He asked what it was about so I told > > > > > > > > > > > him, and when I mentioned it has a buddhist theme to it, > > > > > > > > > > > he gave a funny look. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What's funny about all of this is that I've always > > > > > > > > > > > figured buddhism to be one of the most revered and highly > > > > > > > > > > > respected forms of philosophy and religion on earth. Even > > > > > > > > > > > growing up I felt that way. When I go online to Yahoo > > > > > > > > > > > Answers R&S forum to ask a question pertaining to it, I > > > > > > > > > > > haven't had any bad replies over a single question, and > > > > > > > > > > > if any of you have ever been on there, you know they can > > > > > > > > > > > be harsh sometimes in that section. So it really threw me > > > > > > > > > > > for a loop seeing all these crazy reactions from people I > > > > > > > > > > > know. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Did any of you get these same reactions from the people > > > > > > > > > > > you knew when you were first learning about buddhism? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! 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