Merle,
The suffering you feel when you consider the suffering of others is reason
enough to quieten the mind. You're hurting.
Quieten the mind, and then you can help others. Not via ideas: via Compassion.
That is the "Zen" way.
There is no other "reason" to practice Zen.
There is no useful "insight" that can be held just as Insight, and be
effective. No: the point of Zen practice is to allow one's CHARACTER to
change. And change NOT according to a rule-book: but change to its true
nature, its original nature, its actual nature. Not twisted, not bent, not
bent out of shape. And not hammered back into shape by a blacksmith, or by
"you".
But restored by Nature, instead.
That is our way in our practice as Zen practitioners.
There is no other reason that we practice.
What you call Zen moments, or describe something as "so Zen" is just an utter
and complete embarrassment to hear, by someone who practices. Those things are
nonsense. How does your enjoying these things help the people of Boston?
The boat is in front of you, if you would just get off it, Merle.
--Joe
> Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote:
>
> i must confess now that i am not a follow the instruction manual type of
> person..
> and maybe i have missed the boat...
>
> i love the zen because to me it goes to the nitty gritty...and i sort of
> agree with edgar in many ways...zen experiences are 24/7..
>
> after all folk meditate and that is not all under the zen umbrella..
>
> yes joe i know this is covering old ground..and i must again confess my mind
> needs quietening down big time...
> in fact it is exhausting me..
> i have come to a point whereby i can't even get to stage 1 to quieten it
> down...
> sometimes my mind feels like it will explode..especially in the depths of the
> night and am having trouble sleeping...
> the mind it rattles on and on like an old train..
> yes i do need help..
> however then you hear about the latest horror the boston bombings and you
> wonder what type of a creature is this creature called human..?
> and i'm suppose to quieten my mind..and go into some space where i am at
> "peace"..
> how can i do it when there is so so so much suffering...
> my mind just rattles on and on and on... with the whys?...
> how can i find "peace' when the world is in such a state of trouble and
> horror...?...
> i and the world are they not one and the same ...
> do i take responsibility for the actions of humans who take to horror
> mongering?...
> where do my responsibilities lie in cosmic consciousness?..
------------------------------------
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