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ranger20
(3/29/04 2:30 pm)
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Zen Wisdom
Leafing through an old classic that has been on my bookshelf for decades, I spotted a pithy bit of wisdom that applies beautifully both to group dynamics [ attn: MC ] and to the dynamics of one's own meditation:
Quote:
From Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Even though you try to put people under some control, it is impossible. You cannot do it. The best way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous. Then they will be in control in its wider sense. To give your sheep or cow a large, spacious meadow is the way to control him. So it is with people: first let them do what they want, and watch them. This is the best policy. To ignore them is not good; that is the worst policy. The second worst is trying to control them. The best one is to watch them, just to watch them, without trying to control them.

The same way works for you yourself as well. If you want to obtain perfect calmness in your zazen, you should not be bothered by the various images you find in your mind. Let them come, and let them go. Then they will be under control. But this policy is not so easy. It sounds easy, but it requires some special effort. How to make this kind of effort is the secret of practice. Suppose you are sitting under some extraordinary circumstances. If you try to calm you mind you will be unable to sit, and if you try not to be disturbed, you effort will not be the right effort. The only effort that will help you is to count you breathing, or to concentrate on your inhaling and exhaling. We say concentration, but to concentrate your mind on something is not the true purpose of Zen. The true purpose is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

Edited by: ranger20 at: 3/29/04 2:32 pm
bsjones
Registered User
(3/30/04 10:07 am)
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ezSupporter
Re: Zen Wisdom
Thank you ranger! BTW whenever I see one of those compact Ford pickups, I am reminded of you, resident sage.

ranger20
(3/30/04 3:27 pm)
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Re: Zen Wisdom
BTW whenever I see one of those compact Ford pickups, I am reminded of you, resident sage.

I don't get it. Sage? Ford pickup?

Wait! You're making a koan! Does a Ford pickup have a Buddha nature?

didgeridootoo
(3/30/04 6:02 pm)
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Re: Zen Wisdom
I like your posts Ranger. I think your answer to bsjone's statement was great too. I didn't get it either, but what a great comeback.

bsjones
Registered User
(3/31/04 10:19 am)
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ezSupporter
Re: Zen Wisdom
Those with eyes to see and ears to hear, they know.

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