Edgar,
quoting:
"However when minds are closed to the truth...".
Talk about a dueling-dualist, out for a duel! (note: this is not Zen, but not
everything has to be).
Try "coddling". It's a good Yoga.
The world will turn around, and you will see it aright.
Just a suggestion of a Method.
In Vipassana, it is called the Practice of Metta.
In Zen practice, there is no explicit Metta practice that is traditional;
instead the whole program of Zen work is devoted to the aim of opening and
freeing the heart of (true) Compassion.
There is no other purpose of (traditional; authentic; orthodox; Tathagatha- ;
or Patriarchal-Zen) practice.
Shakyamuni started this ball rolling or wheel turning when he got up from his
seat after seeing Venus that morning, and this same heart has been transmitted
down 87 generations. I am the 87th generation (you may be older, say the 86th
gen.).
One American Zen master in S. Suzuki's line (S. Francisco) is working on
including Metta practice in Zen training explicitly, intentionally. We'll see
how it goes. He's written and published some things about it: he is Norm
Zoketsu Fischer, Roshi; in the Bay Area (USA). Granted, it's not traditional,
but innovations may yet be possible that have escaped inclusion during the past
1500 years. As we know, everything depends on and lives according to "causes
and conditions".
It's not for us to present the truth of Zen: it is for us -- real Bodhisattvas
-- to function in accord with Wisdom and Compassion. If that is the truth,
then so be it. The best and only true presentation is Compassion. Just as it
arises. You may quote me in your book. Email me and I'll send correct
spelling of my full name. Thanks, and best,
--Joe
> Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote:
>
> Bill,
>
> I agree the effectiveness of a Bodhisattva is also important. And I certainly
> wish I were more effective in the way I present the truth of Zen.
>
> However when minds are closed to the truth there are limits to what a
> Bodhisattva can teach. So from that perspective it's always better just to
> cut through to the bare truth whether it falls on an open mind or not.
>
> The problem with coddling emotionally needy feelings and delusions is that it
> tends to reinforce them.
>
> On the other hand just telling the bare truth like I do tends to elicit all
> sorts of defensive ego mechanisms.
>
> So what's a Bodhisattva to do?
>
> In my case just give up and go back to writing my book I guess.....
> :-)
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