Joe, Funny you should say that. When I first looked into migrating to Australia, back in '87, I was drawn to Perth even tho I knew nothing about it (especially in comparison to the more famous cities of Sydney and Melbourne). Turns out my instincts were correct - Perth is a wonderful place and Western Australia has a really strong Aboriginal culture, which I find fascinating.
I think Zen and Vipassana could learn so much from each other, and I feel fortunate to be in a position in time and place to be exposed to both. I can honestly say I have no 'allegiance' to either. For me, Zen lacks the emphasis on Loving Kindness and compassion that Vipassana has (metta practice). I also think Zen doesn't put as much import on samadhi/the jhanas, which is a shame because they allow the practiser to experience a dimension of meditation that can't be comprehended without them. I agree with you that Zen does a lot more regarding taking it off the mat. Indeed, that's what I love about practicing Zen - to see the miraculous in the ordinary. Mike --- In [email protected], "Joe" wrote: > > Mike, > > "Perth" resonates. > > I am from Perth Amboy. > > I regularly work guys in Perth: they usually have radio call signs beginning > with "VK6". It's a good bit of a longer distance from Arizona than Eastern > Australia is, and signal strengths are generally weaker by a lot from those > stations in Perth. I feel it's a feather in my cap to have worked them at > all. Lately, I have not heard Perth, because the solar activity has been > very, very low, and quite disappointing, although we are at the supposed peak > of the current Solar Cycle (no. 24). > > Vipassana is familiar to me only by study. I know some Vipassana teachers > from Massachusetts, by practicing with them on Sheng Yen's Ch'an retreats: > they came in and gave it a go. Their samadhi was strong, but they needed > experience bringing it up off the cushion, even as teachers. I don't suppose > they got it. They went back home. It was a little embarrassing: Michael > Grady, and Narayan Grady. I tried to help, on days when Sheng Yen had > designated me as instructor of the physical methods. Alas; but I do not know > them on their home turf, so they may have something I don't know about. But, > it is not our Ch'an. Hence, I care little to know much more, but I respect > Vipassana methods as a way of getting settled and getting established, you > bet I do! From what I have read... . > > My heart and body are with Ch'an/Zen, as you know. > > Best, > > --Joe > > > "mike" wrote: > > > > Joe, > > > > I intend to stay here in Adelaide for at least another couple of months, > > but as ever I never know. If I do move again, it will only to be to go as > > far as Perth, where there is another Diamond Sangha anyway. > > > > Do you know much about Vipassana? > > > > Mike > ------------------------------------ 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! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
