joe..thank you for your patience..i am learning...bare with me..merle 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
