Chris, Of course there is intention because whether it happens in the conscious or unconscious mind the actions are goal oriented no matter whether it's something simple like taking a drink or breathing to keep from dying....
The human body is a computational system that continually computes its actions on a logical basis. If this were not so it could not function and would soon die. Edgar On Apr 21, 2013, at 5:44 PM, Chris Austin-Lane wrote: > > No, they still take place as they do, some conscious and some not, but with > no effort nor intention. > > Thanks, > --Chris > 301-270-6524 > On Apr 21, 2013 3:36 PM, "Edgar Owen" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Chris, > > That is true only with respect to the conscious mind. The only difference is > that all the rational computations are now taking place in the UNconscious > mind, but they are STILL taking place... > > Edgar > > > On Apr 21, 2013, at 3:13 PM, Chris Austin-Lane wrote: > >> >> >> The opposite of monkey mind is not doing one thing but effortless activity - >> no one doing no thing. In cutting carrots each muscle, nerve, knife and >> plant goes on just as it is, no need to do anything. >> >> The 10,000 things take care of them selves with no effort and no boundary. >> >> Thanks, >> --Chris >> 301-270-6524 >> On Apr 21, 2013 8:29 AM, "Merle Lester" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> bill...many thanks..yes single minded would you not say?..devoted to the >> task at hand...question: why is multi tasking and multi thinking regarded as >> "the enemy"? >> >> >> Merle, >> >> This is a very common occurrence. Zen literature refers to this as the >> 'monkey mind' because it seems to just go on and on without end and >> out-of-control. >> >> Zazen (and other zen teaching techniques) specifically target 'monkey mind' >> and try to calm it down until it eventually ceases all activity. Then you >> can have a direct experience of reality (Buddha Nature). >> >> When you do things like weeding or probably painting you may focus your >> whole being on just weeding or just painting. If you do this it is just like >> zazen in which you may start by concentrating on your breath. This >> single-mindedness concentration is what is meant by the zen saying, "When >> sit, just sit. When walking, just walk. Above all don't wobble." That means >> when your doing anything, just do that. Don't try to do many things at once, >> and especially don't do something while thinking about something else. Like >> painting while thinking about what you're going to fix for dinner. Or when >> fixing dinner not thinking about what you're going to paint after eating. >> When painting, just paint. When fixing dinner, just fix dinner. >> >> And yes, it's much easier said than done... >> >> ...Bill! >> >> --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: >> > >> > >> > >> >  >> >  bill..yes i understand..thank you..yes i agree with you..the intellect >> > chatter..that is constant with me and i find it so tiring to the point >> > where i get a headache..i go out and do weeding to freshen my brain.. i am >> > constantly asking questions mostly ones one cannot answer anyway..round >> > and round in circles i go... chewing it over and over... i am a bit of a >> > problem solver..that's what happens at night and i cannot turn my mind off >> > so i can't sleep..yes and then there is the emotions rocking me around >> > like a boat...i need to go watch a show on telly now..back later..thank >> > you bill!..i appreciate this post..merle >> > >> > >> >  >> > Merle, >> > >> > You are definitely on the right track. >> > >> > You can't just turn these things off. Daido talked about that. You just >> > let them come and go. The zen story about that (there's a zen story about >> > everything) is it is like when you are busy doing something and someone >> > comes to your door. You can answer the door, tell them you'r busy right >> > now and that they can come back later. What you don't do is invite them in >> > for tea and a lengthy chat. >> > >> > You can begin to quiet your mind down by doing what Daido said (or by >> > chanting or bowing or koan study, etc...), and when you do reach the point >> > to where all these thoughts have been turned off (I use the word 'quiesce' >> > or 'paused' or 'temporarily halted') THEN you will experience Buddha >> > Nature - which is the direct experience of reality WITHOUT all the >> > intellectual and emotional chatter going on. >> > >> > And basically that's it! Then it's just a matter of 'practicing' so you >> > can keep all that chatter at an absolute minimum - not cease it >> > permanently but only use it (your intellect/your rationality) when it's >> > appropriate. Your intellect (logic/rationality) is just one of the many >> > tools you have in your human tool bag and you shouldn't treat it like it >> > is the only one. Like I've reminded people on this forum of the old saying >> > which I apply to the intellect, "When all one has is a hammer, everything >> > looks like a nail". >> > >> > I call all this intellectual chatter 'illusion' and I call only the direct >> > experience of reality (Buddha Nature) 'real' - and that's where the major >> > difference of opinion (or at least terminology) between Edgar and me - at >> > least IMO. >> > >> > Enjoy...Bill! >> > >> > --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@> wrote: >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > >  bill! yes i know the scoreboard..sometimes it's hard to turn off the >> > > mind and experience non thought..and basically it's feelings that get me >> > > into a knot...i get so many different feelings flooding me..from joy to >> > > utter despair...all bubbling away like a volcano... this is what i find >> > > difficult to turn that switch off..however i note in my study..i just >> > > let them pass as they come and then they go like a log floating down a >> > > stream..am i on the right track?..merle >> > > >> > > >> > >  >> > > Merle, >> > > >> > > I agree with what Mike says below and would reinforce that in the >> > > statement you quoted, 'you are your best teacher'... >> > > >> > > If 'you' means your self, your ego, your intellect, your dualistic, >> > > rational mind - then it is definitely not your best teacher (for zen). >> > > >> > > But if 'you' means experience, Buddha Nature, the absence of ego, >> > > itellect, dualism, etc... - then it is definitely your best teacher (for >> > > zen). >> > > >> > > ...Bill! >> > > >> > > --- In [email protected], uerusuboyo@ wrote: >> > > > >> > > > Merle,<br/><br/>Depends what you mean by "you". If 'you' means your >> > > > ego, then absolutely not because the mind will colour things to suit >> > > > itself. If by 'you' you mean reality, then absolutely yes! And by >> > > > reality I mean the immediacy of direct experience. Buddha said, "Be a >> > > > lamp unto yourself". Only you will know if the tea is hot or cold >> > > > (remember that topic!). A teacher is only a guide and friend. >> > > > Ultimately only you can workout your own salvation. >> > > > <br/><br/>Mike<br/><br/><br/>Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPhone >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >
