hi bob and all... drawing is a matter of observation... easy peasy!!!!! everyone can learn to draw being an "artist" is a different kettle of fish!
in ancient chinese ink drawings..the key was to meditate before...upon the subject in question and then with few brushstrokes capture it's essence ,... to me that is so zen.. straight to the nitty gritty.. teaches us that in life too we can also go to the very core of any given moment and hence be there present and totally aware: fully engaged.... merle..(instead of doing the "fango dango" with our minds..) Merle www.wix.com/merlewiitpom/1 ________________________________ HI Bill thanks for the welcome. To answer your question I think there are different levels of awareness of our senses. To remind the new meditators of their senses brings, what is normally an autonomous process back into 'immediate reality' (indicating a clearer idea of the senses rather than the reality of reality - if you know what I mean). Many years ago a group of us did an experiment in focus and coming in touch with the senses. We were given a large sheet of drwg paper and some charcoal. We all had to draw a huge orchid in a brass pot. I am useless at art and drawing match stick people is a stretch. Having meditated, done a few straight lines and a few circles we started by concentrating on a single point, drawing that and then moving on. After a short time I stood back and was astounded that I had drawn an orchid in all its glory. I hope this answers your question. Bob --- In [email protected], "Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote: > > Bob, > > Welcome to the group.. > > I was also taught to relax my eyes so they are only 'half' open, lower my > gaze to about 3 feet in front of me and allow my eyes to de-focus. Closed > eyes were discouraged to help keep your mind from wandering, minimize > visualizations and because as you note of the tendency to sleep. > > The senses are always engaged. How could you disengage them while remaining > conscious? > > ...Bill! > > --- In [email protected], "bobthomas564" <bobthomas564@> wrote: > > > > HI Joe - I agree. I was taught to squint through slightly open eyes but not > > at first. The senses do need to be engaged but should work 'properly' ie > > not allowing the ego to take control of them and run with them. Easier said > > than done. The ego, as it throws up things, always strike me like files > > with a 'look at this' on the front of them. > > > > I take the guys through getting in contact with their senses prior to > > starting meditation encompassing the idea of 'nowhere to go and nothing to > > do'. I find that they can deal with the issues of meditation easier with > > their eyes closed in the early stages. Eventually a few things happen as > > they get stronger, sleep disappears as an issue and they naturally sit more > > upright. Then open eyes are easier. > > > > A start is a start it means nothing, it is where you end up that counts. > > Entry is from anywhere. In Zen's case you end up not being able to open > > your mouth to say anything sensible. Strange really! > > > > Nice talking to you. > > > > Bob > > > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], "Joe" <desert_woodworker@> wrote: > > > > > > Bob, > > > > > > Thanks for posting the "notes" to the Group site as a .doc file. Well > > > done and generous teaching and encouragement. Gee, I wish I could sit > > > with your group. > > > > > > I'll note that, in general, in Zen practice as I've encountered it as > > > taught and as practiced, we do not close the eyes. > > > > > > There are two reason for this. > > > > > > One is that we do not screen-out ANYTHING in our practice, as I've found > > > it. All six senses are allowed to operate without screening. The "mind" > > > is usually considered one of the six senses, so we do not suppress or > > > screen out thoughts either: instead, we put all attention on the method > > > of practice. If thoughts arise, we just do not follow them: that is not > > > "screening", but it is just doing ONE thing at a time: remaining > > > concentrated upon the method of practice in the time when we set ourself > > > to practice. > > > > > > The second reason is that Zen practice is about opening to wisdom, > > > through awakening. Closed eyes can lead to drowsiness and ... to sleep. > > > > > > Well, nothing new in these comments. And they are just that, > > > comments. > > > > > > I like your noting the usefulness of the point of contact of the hands. > > > I find in general that a closed mudra comes more naturally in our way of > > > sitting, and does more good than an open mudra, a dispersing mudra, or no > > > mudra. Hmm-m, I meant to write about this here last week, but the death > > > of a very close sangha friend intervened and put me off doing much of > > > anything: "Jim", a fellow who practiced his zazen with us always in a > > > wheelchair. I'll get back to writing sometime. > > > > > > Thanks again posting! > > > > > > --Joe > > > > > > > "bobthomas564" <bobthomas564@> wrote: > > > > > > > I also put statements and questions I prepare to them after the group. > > > > I have attached a couple - (oops! attachments not so easy will try > > > > another time). > > > > > >
