Aww-w, Merle; you're nice.
The fellow may be on to something, though.
He may be so "practiced" that practice seems artificial.
Of course practice is artificial, at first.
But Master Dogen of 13th Century Japan was able to say that practice -- Zazen
-- is THE EXPRESSION of our Buddha Nature. The truest expression of who we
are. That's "pretty heavy" (an expression I used to understand in 1972).
Of course you're right that nobody's going anywhere in target archery without
practice. And, by the way: the archery practiced in Japan is practiced as ZEN
PRACTICE. It has to do with breathing, the Hara-region, and with releasing the
arrow at the right point, the right time.
It reminds me SO much, too, of Henri Cartier Bresson's "Decisive Moment", in
Photography. The candid photographer "knows" when to press the shutter
release. That "knowing" is no accident. It takes a certain practice, leading
to an "enlightenment", and to an eye. And a knowledge of and feeling for
People.
I say "Strong Practice" because I know what it can lead to: resting in our true
nature, and living from there. I wish it for everyone. It is there in
potential.
You might still feel restlessness standing in line, though, and might make a
correct observation and comment, which can change the World.
I once stood in a bank in Tucson 20 years ago, on a crowded Friday, and dozens
of people stood in line before each Teller window waiting to cash paychecks
before the weekend. It was very slow going. Someone in one of the lines
raised his voice (I regret to say it was not me):
He yelled, "May I have your attention!? Tellers!, and Managers!, you MUST put
on more people to help, here, NOW! Customers deserve your utmost respect!"
This was so unusual, so out of nowhere, so CORRECT, that within minutes, things
were really moving along. It was a hundred against six! Who knows if that guy
practiced Zen. Even if not, he saved all Beings in that moment.
That's what it's all about.
--Joe
>
> Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote:
>
> hi group.
>
> i thought you might be interested in this discussion i had with a friend ..
>
> you will have to read his email first so begin at the bottom...
>
> any thoughts?... am i on track?
>
[snip]
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