Gunther

Trying not to generalise, but.... Brutal, militaristic, ruthless, (and you could add a few more) On the one side this appeal to the macho samurai image, exotic, medieval, and so forth, On the other hand, this is the way of the fakir, who tortures his body to gain will power, or also the yogi torturing his mind for the same reason. It has nothing to do with Zen whatsoever. Zen is the direct pointing to your true nature outside of scriptures, dogma, rituals and so forth.

★★ Letting Go & Realizing Reality of All Things _______________________________________ ◆ Chan/Zen Gongan (Koan) : ▲ Whenever Master Fenzhou Wuye was asked a question, he would simply say, “Let go of deluded thinking!” ▲ Whenever Master Juzhi was asked a question, he would simply raise up one finger. _______________________________________ ◆ Commentary Sharing : ▲ All human beings believe that there is a real, fixed, and permanent "self", which is the body and mind. They are mistaken. They treat this "self" as the center and attach to the mutual connections of body, mind and environment. Therefore, they create vexations and sufferings for themselves and others. ―→ "Letting go of deluded thinking" means "putting all self-centered attachments into full rest," or even "completely taming the habit of self-centeredness." Then, Chan/Zen practitioners are able to see into the self-nature, have an insight into the wisdom-mind, or realize the ultimate reality of all things in the universe. ▲ The ultimate reality of all things in the universe : ● Each thing is unique, perfect, or ready-made! ● Each thing is of "interconnectedness" (interbeing & interpenetration) with all things ―― one is all, all is one. one penetrates all, all penetrate one. It is just like the Indra network with multiple interfusion and mutual manifestation, therefore, all innumerable things altogether are free and liberated, and function freely without obstruction. _/|\_ ❤ _/|\_ _____________________________________________

And here is the test: If you can understand this guy is talking pure Zen, you are getting somewhere. (Slight tongue in cheek and just IMHO)

If there is no confusion, what can Satori do for you? back from the world the new and brave here by the fireside i'm safe watching the flames move in the heat with book and cuppa in my seat left nothing there for me to crave. tending the fire over time teach you a lesson quite divine about that sacred little flame that burns for one and all the same the spark of life in space and time. beyond a thousand memories the mind is very much at peace but then a sudden thunderbolt the soul ejects into the cold void of a thousand mysteries. the mind was now a bit confused it took a while to getting used the heart was burning like a fire to ashes idols of desire high voltage charge had been infused. but still alive to tell the tale soon put his ship back under sail no more asked he the question why he was not ready yet to die kept moving on along his trail. from then kept praying he in vain for lightning him to strike again and this time round by wisdom's grace enjoy the weightless float in space such was his heart desire's pain. peace

★★ Genuine Chan/Zen Investigation : Letting Go of Everything! ___________________________________________ ◆ In the〈Discourses of Chan Master Dahui Zonggao〉, he said as follows : “If you wish to have genuine Chan/Zen investigation, just let go of everything. Merely like one who has been under the Great Death, you definitely experience no-knowing and no-realization. At the very moment of this no-knowing and no-realization, you suddenly break through this single thought; then, even the Buddha cannot do anything to you.” __________________________ ◆ Commentary Sharing : ▲ While encountering any daily activity, resolve it by these four simultaneous steps: face it, accept it, deal with it, and let go of it ― "non-abiding awareness". ▲ For those who can let things go and take things on in true peace and freedom, every year is an auspicious year. For those who can sow with wisdom and compassion the seeds of blessedness, every day is a good day. _/|\_ ❤ _/|\_ _____________________________________________

REFERENCE POINT back from the world the new and brave here by the fireside i'm safe watching the flames move in the heat with book and cuppa in my seat left nothing there for me to crave. tending the fire over time teach you a lesson quite divine about that sacred little flame that burns for one and all the same the spark of life in space and time beyond a thousand memories the mind is very much at peace but then a sudden thunderbolt the soul ejects into the cold void of a thousand mysteries. the mind was now a bit confused it took a while to getting used the heart was burning like a fire to ashes idols of desire high voltage charge had been infused. but still alive to tell the tale soon put his ship back under sail no more asked he the question why he was not ready yet to die kept moving on along his trail. from then kept praying he in vain for lightning him to strike again and this time round by wisdom's grace enjoy the weightless float in space such was his heart desire's pain. peace

I'm not sure about AW but probably he stayed on the intellectual level. Here is Hui Neng's definition of Zazen: Now that we know that this is so, what is it in this teaching that we call 'sitting in meditation' (tso-ch'an)? In this teaching 'sitting' means without any obstruction anywhere, outwardly and under all circumstances, not to activate thoughts. 'Meditation' is internally to see the original nature and not become confused. (Section 19 the southern or sudden Zen (Chan) of immediacy is not superior/inferior to the gradual. That would refer to the intellect which is of no use there. The true, original mind (no-mind) is the ordinary mind of wisdom and compassion without self centered attachment. the separation of practice/cultivation and ordinary day to day life could be a disadvantage. There is no question of dismissing practice, on the contrary, to take refuge to the Buddha within(awareness)you have to be at it 24/7 until firmly spontaneously effortlessly stabilised.

you are kind of suggesting I made that frog story up. And I therefore have an agenda against Zazen. That's not the case. But since I forgot where I read it, I can't give you the source and have to leave it at that The meaning is, that without a basic understanding or intuitive glimpse of your true nature (original face) all meditation is cultivating a subtle, refined ego/personality/character. Nothing wrong with that. But you would be polishing the reflection, the face in the mirror so to speak. There is also a definition of Zazen (platform sutra) that does not mean actual sitting facing a wall.

yep, that's the painting that goes with the saying. I suggest just forget about it. If you don't understand, the last thing I want is discourage you from your practice. Just sit. Good luck

Yes, no non obstacles either. You look at anything a bird, a table, a cup, a clock, and don't even know what it is. But if needed, instantly, in a flash you know it's quarter past two😀

🌕 Freedom of Taking On & Letting Go 🌕 _________________________________________ 🌕 Zhaozhou's "Letting go & Taking on" ： ☀ Yanyang Shanxin asked Zhaozhou Congshen, “How is it when not a single thing comes up?” Zhaozhou said, "Let go of it!" Yanyang answered, “Since there is not a single thing coming up, how can I let it go?” Zhaozhou said. “Then take it on!" At the very moment, Yanyang was deeply enlightened. _______________________________ 🌕 Commentary Sharing ： ☀ Simultaneous letting go and taking on all things by means of non-abiding awareness; All is going with causes and conditions and free of obstructions. Those who can take on and let go of all things with freedom and liberation; Every day is a good day and everywhere is a good place. _/|\_ ❤ _/|\_ __________________________________________

The Dao, Brahman, will of God, whatever you call it, is already happening all the time, nothing else could possibly happen by definition. It includes the self inflicted suffering caused by so called ignorance, trying to enforce our personal preference, likes, dislikes onto the cosmic law/self regulating principle. Letting go is easy and easy is right. But it's also the most difficult thing

---> 00

How about +1- -1= ? And -1-?= -2

Oh, I see, the quabballah😀 Who is Richard?

Anyway, what was the question in question. They must have asked about the 2 state solution

Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, nihilism, spiritualism, satanism, communism, intellectualism, and all the rest of conceptual systems are all good for certain people at certain times. The point is they are all like castor oil. Don't get addicted to it.

To be truly individual you have to give up your individuality. To be free means responsibility, authenticity, integrity. Like a leaf blowing in the wind same time an immovable mountain. Can it be said in simpler terms? Maybe to understand one has to throw out that confused entangled heap of spaghetti-knowledge😀 It's all in the mind. You only need a bottle of castor oil on the shelf and never suffer from constipation again. Since you never use it, over time you forget about it. Peace

Carved into the flesh Mountain high and valleys deep The river of life

Not particular Buddhist. Most people want peace and happiness. This is the inborn nature independent from outer circumstances. This is almost a no brainer. It's the culture, the leaders, the various vested interests who exploit, manipulate, pervert so called public opinion. So for example nationalism, patriotism, is already manipulated by the rulers, through propaganda, creating fear of an outside enemy aggressor. Who mostly doesn't exist. As I've said people just want to love peacefully with their neighbour, bring up their kids and so forth. Of course by now human nature is so perverted, distorted that you need a massive military and police force. They created the need for themselves. That's also the Taoist view. And the anarchist view as well.

Of course you are right. The great and very important art of making a sandwich, passed down through many generations, I will never know. But restraint and generosity I discovered ready made after throwing off the shackles of a excessive greedy society

Are you suggesting the ancient Taoists weren't capable of "higher brain function"😀😀 And where is your evidence that modern man is kinder and nicer if your system was working??

That's the theory. And the state of today's civilization proves it wrong. Easy to see.like I said, maybe check out the old Taoists what they say in this matter. First, animal society is brutally honest, true to their nature. No lying, cheating, backstabbing , diplomacy. Second, human nature is inborn, it doesn't need artificial laws superimposed on it. If man was allowed to be free and natural there would be no need for laws, prisons, rulers, kings, politicians, whatever. That is already corruption, which once in place justifies itself necessarily

Nothing is something. If nothing was nothing it would be inconceivable, unthinkable. For example: I hear nothing. No, impossible, I hear silence. I see nothing. No, I see the absence of images. And so forth. I hope that helps😀😀😀 Regards the Israeli (or any other) PM: I know better than believe even a word he says

and: We are that mystery I can discard all ethics, morals, social conditioning, fulfill no expectations, no promises, no meaning, no mission impossible 😀a bit like the old Taoists. Lo and behold I am free and surprise, surprise, I am not a monster going on a shooting spree, eating little babies, no all the commandment of religion, the precepts of monks, the virtues of philosophers, are effortlessly and naturally already my true nature 😀😀 How about that? That can't be bad?😀😀