Merle, If you couldn't survive Jakarta and Thailand (I simply assume you meant bangkok), then I guess it was a good decision you did not proceed to India. But you missed Bodh Gaya, one of the most impressive places I ever been.
Why I came to zen was nothing special. I have had meditation practice with other traditions for a while before I had a chance to attend a session with Guo Jun fashi, disciple of Joe's teacher. Around the same time, I came to like koans more and more. Inexplicably, they make more sense to me than the Suttas (the Pali Suttas). So, I joined this forum to learn more about zen. I'm not sure if I could call myself zen, but looks like my current practice is similar to Bill's description of zazen and shikantaza. SiskaMerle Lester <merlewiit...@yahoo.com> wrote: siska..i spent 2 weeks here... see link..t his is were i bought the artwork... yes indonesia was very colourful..and vibrant as i said in previous post however the extreme poverty made me "ill".. i am unable to witness people suffering.. the plan was to go forward to burma and india after thailand however the poverty and suffering was too much for me to bare.. plus i was at 28 pregnant with my first child.. so it was off to london..and roast beef with all the trimmings..i was so so craving for western food .. now i am totally addicted to asian food especially chinese... oh i spent 2 weeks in singapore in 1974 as well... what is your story if i maybe so bold to ask and how did you come about to be "zen"?... merle http://www.javafred.net/rd_sriwahnyi_1.htm
