although we..the group might tiff a bitt now and then... it's good to air things... i am sure there is much accord after all we are not all robots singing the same tune.. diversity adds flavour i am curious chris ... what is your life story if i maybe so bold to ask? enjoy your week at the edge of the atlantic ocean merle
I am often charged with having no sense of humor, indeed and in person. A defensive posture adopted for often being puzzled by human interaction. I will try to act from a stance that all here have good will. I myself am about to pack up my zafu for a trip back to my family of origin, to share a week at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and welcome my new niece. I will probably have even more time to write here than normally. May these bits find all of us well, free of suffering and well in our body/minds and our interrelating. http://www.zensoaps.com Love, Chris Thanks, --Chris 301-270-6524 On Jun 18, 2013 6:57 PM, "Bill!" <[email protected]> wrote: Merle, Chris and Joe... > >Chris' post was well thought out. His posts usually are, even the ones I >disagree with. In this one I especially liked his observation that especially >on this site "Everyone that writes here has I think missed the mark from time >to time." > >I do think however a good deal of Chris' discomfort with Joe's posts are more >of style than substance. Joe uses humor, which sometimes leads to quips and >sarcasm. Some people take those more personally and harshly than others. >Chris' style is pretty much straight-up and more consistently serious. >Merle's style seems to be completely spontaneous and somewhat quirky at times. > Edgar? Well, Edgar is just Edgar. > >Anyway I don't think anybody here is trying to hurt anyone's feelings or >purposely trying to offend. There is sometimes jabs here and there (I >certainly jab sometimes), but I assume that's just to get someone's attention >or emphasis a point. > >Those are my thoughts on this...Bill! > > > > >--- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: >> >> >> >>  a comforting well thought out post chris...merle >> >> >>  >> I think the inescapable meanness in your words here show very well that >> there is no permanent essence attached to persons or to awakening. Sometimes >> Merle's words show she gets it, at that time. Sometimes your words show >> that. Everyone that writes here has I think missed the mark from time to >> time. That’s a good lesson-we aren't really separate from one another >> and sometimes we join the dance eyes open and sometimes eyes closed, so our >> partners make way for us. I respect your long history of practise and >> achievement, but with language like "every" and "compared" and "more >> advanced" I think you show us that no amount of practise is enough. >> You may hold to an essential difference between yourself and Merle and I as >> less advanced, but today I do not see that dividing line. >> Thanks, >> --Chris >> 301-270-6524 >> >> On Jun 17, 2013 6:42 PM, "Joe" <desert_woodworker@...> wrote: >> >> Chris, >> > >> >I've seen Merle trivialize it, in every post.  Hi, Cous'!  Luv ya. >> > >> >Compared to / with her posts, Americans are more advanced in practice than >> >you and me. >> > >> >Trivialize?  I'm an old man, C.  This goes / has gone with the territory. >> > But, find yourself in a community of practitioners, and you will find >> >critical mass. >> > >> >Looky-here, C.: there's Zen; and, there's hooey.  I think it's always been >> >so.  When it comes to Zen... only a Practitioner, well, "knows".  We >> >forgive all trivializations.  How could anyone else know?  We know that >> >practice is necessary.  And we try to extend our appreciation of our >> >practice to others.  But do not proselytize. >> > >> >This is why I teach.  To the extent that I do.  Since 1980. >> > >> >I don't forgive my (your) culture; and, I don't indict it.  It takes "a >> >Certain Maturity", to take up our Practice.  You won't find it online.  >> >Usually.  Rare exceptions.  Bill!, and me;  Mike; and you.  Maybe some >> >lurkers.  And Mr. Zendervish, here, certainly.  Kudos, and hail!, all >> >non-fuddlers! >> > >> >--Joe >> > >> >> Chris Austin-Lane <chris@> wrote: >> >> >> >> http://www.thesatoriteacompany.com/ >> >> >> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IK735YHVtA >> >> >> >> http://zenhabits.net/ >> >> >> >> I believe you must simply be failing to understand my words here.  You've >> >> never seen US culture trivialize zen? >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >------------------------------------ >> > >> >Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are >> >reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > >------------------------------------ > >Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are >reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
