Hi Merle your quote "drawing is a matter of observation... easy peasy" May well be easy peasy for you but for most of us it ain't. I personally don't know anyone apart from my partners boy, who is very artistic, who can draw effectively. Have you found it easy to teach people to draw?
Was a wonder to me anyway! Have a small collection of ink paintings and enjoy them very much but not as much as a zen painting of a singer almost howling at the moon. bob BTW my user name has changed I stupidly didn't note it when I joined. Thought I would get a confirmation. Might go back to the original one now that I have logged in. --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > 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). > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ 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/
