can i say simple simon as i am.... it's the original consciousness before we were "f" over ... the garden of eden before the black snake arrived on the scene merle
Donald, JMJM, It's not helpful to say that we need to be in synch with the energy of the universe. That is a RESULT of practice, not a prerequisite. It's helpful to say that we need to practice, in order to restore ourselves to an original inheritance of living in a condition in which Wisdom and Compassion arise spontaneously and simultaneously. Putting it as you do sounds "too spooky" or too scientific and mechanical to a lot of people. I believe that this is one of the weaknesses of the way Ch'an has come to be practiced in China and Taiwan. That "way" is changing, and you may see some of the changes being brought about and brought to public attention by some other teachers. I think they are doing good and much needed work. In the West, Ch'an is not taught as you describe. There is none of the superstitious aspect, none of the folk-religion aspect, and absolutely no discussion of Chi. Of course, Chi is real, but practitioners are allowed to find this out for themselves by experience, and then simply drop the subject. Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same, eh? But some change makes a difference. I like to give a push to that sort of change where it is needed. --Joe > 覺妙精明 （JMJM） <chan.jmjm@...> wrote: > > To practice Chan, to experience Chan, to witness Chan, to obtain its wisdom, > we need to be totally in sync with this universal energy (chi) and wisdom > with our entire body, mind and spirit. Everything else is just our mental > construct.
