Suresh,
I do not doubt the words of the speakers or writers you quote, and I do not
read them closely, but nor do not hold them to me. I point out instead that to
attach to aphorisms or to depend on them is not the Zen way of practice.
I believe it may be valuable for you and for others here to know that.
In our way, practice awakens natural wisdom and compassion in ourselves. This
is the only place that wisdom and compassion ever come from. It is not someone
else's words that do it, ever.
This is why Zen Buddhism is not a "revealed-tradition", dependent on
scripture(s), like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and possibly
sects of Hinduism. And it is why Zen practice, even apart from its Buddhist
roots, is still "A special transmission of the mind, not dependent on words and
letters, pointing directly to the human heart".
Now, do you know what "Not dependent on words and letters" MEANS?
In what way do your authors exemplify this characteristic of our way?
If the writers you quote can urge you, goad you, cajole you to practice, then
that is good I think, if you practice correctly, with a good teacher and
sangha. But the writers' words are otherwise valueless, and dangerous for you
and others if you attach to them.
Finally, speaking personally as a member of this Forum, I am much more
interested in YOUR REACTION or response to any ONE of the aphorisms than I am
to the aphorisms themselves, which I do not care to read, thank you. I cannot
reply to those authors. But it seems as if I can sometimes get a part of YOUR
attention, Suresh! And that is the interaction that I honestly care about.
Don't let the authors do your work for you here; write for yourself.
I hope this is not all too personal. But now, you know my true heart.
Thanks for reading!,
--Joe
> SURESH JAGADEESAN <varamtha@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Joe,
>
>
> When we have integrated approach, why not integrate all other
> religions as well. Why in that there is difference of opinion in many
> members of this forum?
>
> Ramana Maharishi used to state that if you want to know whether any
> guru is truly
> enlightened, then on his presence one will feel peacefulness. Sometime
> back I have posted some words of Eckhart Tolle and few had difference
> of opinion and did not accept him as a truly enlightened person. Just
> on the words if you cannot ascertain his divine nature then you need
> to meet him in person and if you feel peacefulness in his presence,
> then you can accept him as enlightened person, but people judge on few
> words alone, which is not right way of judging anybody.
<snip>
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