Merle, Yes, we both caught this. Bill has FINALLY agreed with what we've been trying to tell him - that Zen must be in everyday life in the world of forms as well as when sitting.
This is a GREAT advancement in realization by Bill! Edgar On Nov 20, 2012, at 5:35 PM, Merle Lester wrote: > > > billlllllll:...how many times have i tried to tell you...as has edgar..the > real world..is where zen is at?...merle > > Suresh, > > You are correct, IMO... Zen practice must eventually be done in the 'real > world' - like the busy city or the supermarket. > > I think though when beginning to practice it is easier to limit distractions. > That's why when we begin we are taught to sit (zazen)in a quiet, dimly lit > room; comfortable clothes; not too hot or too cold; half-closed, unfocused > eyes gazing at the floor or a wall; burning incense to give a consistent > odor, etc... These are all done to minimize excitation of your senses. > Realizing Buddha Nature is much easier in an environment such as this. > > Later however as you pointed out it is very important to be able to realize > Buddha Nature in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. > > ...Bill! > > --- In [email protected], SURESH JAGADEESAN <varamtha@...> wrote: > > > > Merely: How much more difficult is it to attain Buddha-hood in the > > supermarket??????? > > Surely the true test is when you live the full life in the real world??????. > > > > Suresh: This is what I look for, Buddha-hood while living in the same > > environment. The thinker or the seer should disappear, will it? > > > > Edger: Why have you not done as your hero Shakyamuni did, then? He > > left society for a while to practice. See what nice thing happened for > > him? > > > > Suresh: The present world is not like that. I see people everywhere > > even the remotest area possible. I went to Thiruvannamalai – > > skandasramam where Ramana Maharishi meditated for 7 years. But now > > that area also so many people. There are brokers to show you where > > Ramana Maharishi meditated, what can we do now? > > > > Leaving family is impossible. Can one able to accept whatever the > > condition he is in? The mind always thinks that it would be better if > > it is not in the place where it is now. I am where I am, it cannot be > > changed, but acceptance of who I am and where I am can bring changes, > > what do you say? > > > > Joe: A teacher is needed to help us persist the right way(s). > > > > Suresh: Do you mean a teacher in living body form? Why not a teacher > > be a book? Or why not it is nature? or why not it is a situation? > > > > Joe: I suppose you have various practices, such as what Ramana > > Maharshi taught. In Zen practice, we have zazen, formless meditation. > > It is easy to learn, but not easy to teach. > > > > Suresh: Can a word describe what truth is? Ramana Maharishi taught all > > methods, but people read little and understand little. Writing this > > letter is zen do you know this? > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Thanks and best regards > > J.Suresh > > New No.3, Old No.7, > > Chamiers road - 1st Lane, > > Alwarpet, > > Chennai - 600018 > > Ph: 044 42030947 > > Mobile: 91 9884071738 > > > > > > >
