Mr. Suresh,
Words are GOADS, ...so I have said here a number of times.
I do not take words to be very helpful in themselves. But if they goad you to
undergo or participate in some experience, then the FUNCTION of words has been
served.
Words do not serve their own purposes; they serve OTHER purposes.
Do you see it otherwise?
I suppose that even the words of E. Tolle, "Osho", Krishnamurti, and Dogen can
be useful provided you allow them to act as GOADS, and do not simply enshrine
them as "wisdom". Another's wisdom is not ours.
But Tolle, "Osho", and Mr. K. do not offer METHODS of practice, only words
spoken at the tail-end of -- presumably -- their own practice, about which they
are silent.
Mr. K. in particular is pretty useless to us in this way, because he expresses
a deep suspicion of all methods of practice: this is typical of intellectuals
of his era who feel that intellect is king, while not knowing that Wisdom comes
from the body, and one's being.
Tolle may have had some sort of practice in the past, but he fills manuscripts
with second-hand wisdom, and sells these as palliatives, and not as practical
pointers: "feel-good" stuff! ...and it lasts all of about two seconds! (just
count 'em).
"Osho", well, no, I won't talk about him; he poses as a Zen teacher lately, but
that is a terrible joke and insult.
Maharshi espoused and recommended a method, so maybe he is someone whose words
can be of help IFF his words are accepted as GOADS (not as Gods).
But Dogen is probably the most useful of all, if you must have words, but, that
is, only among the few writers we've mentioned. There are many more! There
are better writings for learning some basics of simple practices.
But to practice properly, one must learn from a teacher, face to face, and
starting with arrangement of the body: Posture.
A teacher is absolutely necessary in order to receive the hand-to-hand and
heart to heart transmission of the instructions for even the simplest, very
definite and clear practice(s) in Zen training. There is no substitute, and
isolated words cannot do it.
So, bring in Mr. Tolle and Mr. K. for recycling. And if you have any "Osho",
the trash is probably the better option (just so that no one will rescue it
from the recycling bin and accidentally read it).
Really, I don't think I have fans here at this board. Some of us have
practiced, and some have practiced in similar and different lineages, some have
practiced in traditions other that Ch'an or Zen, also. There are many
differences and many disagreements here, as well as a few areas of general
agreement.
It's just like in "real life!" Now, do I have fans in real life"? A few. But
these things should inspire neither your regrets nor your opprobrium. I simply
wish you strong practice, and I hope you will find a teacher soon so that you
can make a good start, and continue.
That's "all" it takes: starting, and continuing.
You may have a practice other than Zen, however, and if so, that is an entirely
different story, which I know nothing about.
Best greetings,
--Joe
> "Suresh" <varamtha@...> wrote:
>
> Wake up you zen folks.
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