Jim,
Everything you say shows that you are "in fine nick".
I think no one here has advice that could be helpful, and I think you are well
familiar with the territory and technic.
It's great that you're here!
By the way, some fine friends of mine while in NYC were devotees of Muktananda,
and I used some of his methods when I was starting, during my years beginning
Hatha yoga. I used Muktananda's practices for sitting. I resisted meeting
him, and never practiced in any of his groups, nor with my friends.
When I became interested in Zen methods and tradition, I sought a teacher and
sangha, and was richly rewarded in finding Ch'an Master Sheng Yen in Feb.,
1979, and became his 13th disciple in USA in May, 1979, on a long intensive
retreat. Very fortunate!
He passed away 3 years ago, and I am still his student unremittingly.
Practiced too at different times in different places -- sometimes for very long
times -- with American successors of Japanese Zen teachers.
It's all been good. Sheng Yen's teaching and ways have been the best for me.
I teach a little, but not as one who received transmission. Sheng Yen had me
teaching his physical methods since 1980, through his direct training to do so,
and through my promise to him to continue to do so.
On the "simplicity" matter, the simplicity of our original face is something we
all have: it's not an attainment, is is not added, it is not a development, as
muscles are. It is something we all have, of course. This is what I mean by
simple, basic, original, fundamental, and unsophisticated.
I'm not talking about how it can function.
I don't say that it is not wonderful, and not quite a surprise when it is
uncovered, but I say that it is the beauty of wood when paint is removed and
the life of the wood and details of the grain can shine out. The wood is alive
again!, and finally seen as WOOD.
Best,
--Joe
> "jfnewell7" <jfnewell7@...> wrote:
>
> Jim::: I know a few kinds of meditation, [snip]
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