On Sun, 2005-04-17 at 10:05 -0700, Rod Scholl wrote: > So perhaps I don't have to set my hair on fire myself to > spure me along, just recognize that just because my hair is starting > to > smolder, doesn't mean I going the wrong direction...
um practice now...immediately...does not need to be done with a sense of emergency...your hair is not really on fire (we are not speaking of the context of the Fire Sutra ..everything is burning)...do not set it on fire...the expression is just immediately get about your business...do not procrastinate...there might not be a later to put it off to. This moment is gone as soon as it appears..if you dawdle you miss it. If your hair was on fire you would not say " Well, I will get around to it later"...nor would you get a drink and go to the bathroom before you addressed the problem...again frantic running or bundling your undies is not required. If your hair was on fire, I doubt you would have a "well fuck it...let it burn" sort of attitude, so perhaps the expression is about attitude in that sense. People say they do not care that much about life.....but when the chips are down and the flaming aircraft is going in.....they get religion fast. There is a story about a Zen Master who spent years in practice and said all the right things......when he was attacked by bandits his screams could be heard for miles......when you are being killed ....scream like a little girl. That is the reality of life as it is. Some people thought a Zen Master should meet death calmly...some Masters do pass quietly while sitting zazen....some go screaming into that good night....it depends on what is arising at the time. I am glad you have not had a taste of impending death to spur you into a deeper appreciation of your life...be careful what you wish for.... it is fine to be young and take your life for granted...that is where you are.....do not try and become old just for the hell of it. Life is difficult enough without us making it more difficult than it has to be. No one who truly understands the frailty of life is lackadaisical about taking care of each moment of that life. All 19 year olds think they are immortal, and then set out to kill themselves proving it....in your early adult years, a sense that some care should be taken sets in...and after a brush or two with death, in the middle years you begin to appreciate what you have. I cannot blame you for rolling your eyes when the old man says you do not have forever...where you are in your life it still seems as if death is a long way off...for your sake ...I hope it is. Be Well Fudo ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Would you Help a Child in need? It is easier than you think. Click Here to meet a Child you can help. http://us.click.yahoo.com/0Z9NuA/I_qJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
