Bill!,
Isn't it the Zen BuddhistForum, at least by implication? Isn't it fair to talk about comparisons? >ED, Just sit. Don't think. Just sit. But if you do find yourself thinking, just come back gently to the breath. When you find your mind has become calm become mindful of how the breath (or any bodily sensations) arises and passes. How it is that there is no 'you' doing the breathing - rather the universe is breathing 'you'. Note how even pleasant sensations eventually pass and more unpleasant, or neutral, sensations take their place. With such mindfulness you may find you gain some insight into the 3 Characteristics of existence: impermanence, non-self, and the unsatisfactoriness of phenomena. With diligence and patience, you may become liberated from suffering. Not exactly pithy, I admit. And Zen is certainly direct in pointing to our True Nature. But "wash your bowls", "just sit" and "Just This!" is also not 'it' either. So if we're going to have instructions/guides, then there is definitely a place for more descriptive ones (even tho the endgame will always be that they are ultimately dropped). The method is NOT the meditation. Mike ________________________________ From: Bill! <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, 2 September 2012, 11:33 Subject: [Zen] Re: " dancing with the daffodils" Mike, Point taken, but this is the Zen Forum, not the Theravada Forum or the Here-Have-Some-More-Rice-Gruel Forum. ED, Just sit. Don't think. Just sit. ...Bill! --- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: > > Bill!, > > A great instruction, and is certainly direct, but Joshu's instructions were > given to a monk who had probably been practicing meditation for a long time > and was already 'ripe' for awakening to happen. Imagine how useful that > instruction would be to a neophyte coming off the street asking about the > search for truth or something similar. Joshu's instruction is just that - an > instruction. That's why i believe Buddha's skilful means (upaya) is so useful > as a teaching method. On the one side we can have the direct pointing to the > Dharma (Zen) and on the other we can have Therevada Buddhism with it's more > step by step instructions, such as following the Noble eightfold Path. > > The Buddha was very wise to understand that there are many different kinds of > people/cultures/personalities etc. out there and no one method will work for > all. I think it should be clear now that "wash you bowls" just isn't going to > work for someone like ED. If you agree, what else could you say that might > help him? > > Mike > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Bill! <BillSmart@...> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, 2 September 2012, 9:48 > Subject: [Zen] Re: " dancing with the daffodils" > > > Â > ED, > > Mind if Joshu and I jump in? > > "WASH YOUR BOWLS!" That's how...Bill! (and Joshu) > > --- In [email protected], "ED" <seacrofter001@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Edgar, > > > > And how is this magic trick accomplished? > > > > --ED > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@> wrote: > > > > > > ED, > > > > > > Stop practicing and just BE your Buddha Nature! > > > > > > Edgar > > > > > > > > > > Edgar, > > > > > > > > Therefore, although each of us is complete, we need to practice > > > > diligently at all times with no objective in mind? > > > > > > > > --ED > > > > > > > > > > > Joe and Merle, > > > > > > > > > > There is no 'goal' of enlightenment to be achieved without which > > you > > > > imagine you are incomplete.... > > > > > > > > > > There is no incompleteness. This understanding is an essential > > aspect > > > > of realization... > > > > > > > > > > Wham! > > > > > > > > > > Edgar > > >
