Merle,
I THINK I understand that, Merle. Not sure. You leave a good deal for the
student to work out.
Bill is right that you often leave out a good deal of syntax, or leave pronouns
ambiguous.
But, I want to say, and MUST say...
I've got to hand it to Bill!: I think he is unwaveringly giving the
tried-and-true picture of Zen practice -- when he does -- as well as the
orthodox understanding of practice, and orthodox approach to it.
There may be other approaches, but the orthodox approach is never astray, and
is really bare-bones in the first place, honed for centuries, and: "Necessary
and Sufficient".
Modern teachers might add some modern Psycho-babble mumbo-jumbo as skilful
means, to help the more antsy, Caffeine-consuming, people sit a little more
still and pay attention during Teishos, or at introductory lectures.
Bill! is not making anything up, nor does what he writes conflict either with
the canonical scriptures nor with the teachings of ancient or modern masters.
How rare is THAT? It's Valuable.
I appreciate very much the gentle and useful hints Bill! gives here in helping
to correct or put in context the picture of "Zen", or the details of Practice
that people sometimes present here. I understand that this is not necessarily
a Moderator's *expected* duty, but I appreciate that Bill! takes it as a
Participant's privilege, and that he does not merely take a back-seat as a
moderator who simply roots out profanity or _ad hominen_ attackers from the
Group.
The generosity of his overall response is moreover solidly in accord with the
behavior of a Bodhisattva, and consistent with a Buddha's.
Kudos!,
and bows of gratitude,
--Joe
PS Therefore, taking all in all, and amidst this _ad hominem_ praise of mine,
I say, "Bill! for President!" ;-)
> ah ha... billlllllllll we have approached "the united we stand...divided we
> fall"...merle
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