Anita,

Thanks for words of inspiration. Will try again. Maybe I do have to lose weight and get back into better physical shape.

Tommy

Anita,

Hi, you do understand. And, you’ve got a sense of humor. Real mouse??? Anyway, I have been slacking off my practice. For many reasons which all seem silly to me now. So, thought I might come here to see if there is any inspiration. Unfortunately, life and its problems have gotten the best of me now. Still, it is good to hear you are here helping people.

Tommy

Another element of the concept of nonself might be helpful here.

An assembly of parts, an aggregate of stuff, all put together to create what we call ourselves. Take it all apart and what we thought was ourselves, it no longer exists. I call myself Tommy. But that is just the name of the nonself created thru this feedback loop that is my body. When death comes, Tommy will no longer be. What was here before Tommy will be here after Tommy. That is Buddha nature. Many of these experiences I have had are simply steps along the way. Some become traps because I wish to linger there. Wish to recapture the bliss and feelings of being part of the whole. And so the experiences fade with time, without practice. I know it is selfish to want to feel happy and joy but still I want it. I suffer the ills and pains from such activities. That is life.

Anita,

It is not to say that thinking is bad. We need to be able to function in this society. Meditation is not to stop thoughts. But to let go of thoughts. I was told it is like letting the mud in water settle then one can see to the depths. The more one tries to push the mud down then the more the mud stirs up again. Meditation is also not just relaxation. The mind needs to focus to one point concentration. Awareness is not allowed to slacken. No one can just stop their thoughts. So, there is no failing. We are what we are .. thoughts, ego, self. Just trying to be more aware, more mindful. One is not silencing the mind rather it is allowing the mind to fall away and staying very aware.

Humility? I thought I was just being honest? I do not try to do or be less than I am. And, I do not think you should either. I have read your posts here and you do good work. I know a little and there are many others who know more. But, I like simple and I try to put things simple. Like, thinking=ego.

Anita,

The stillness allows the mind to drop off. Staying aware, we can experience the source of the life force or the truth of ones nature. When one thinks, the person is caught up in this mind, in this ego. And so we have this constant monologue. Sitting still, I become well aware of my mind, my ego talking, thinking, … sometimes inspiration comes and many good thoughts flow in. I get caught up in them. Lost in thoughts. More practice and the peacefulness grows. Practice allows the moments between thoughts become longer. The depth of the stillness …

Maybe you have heard of Koans. A famous one is “What is the sound of one hand clap?” The purpose of the Koan is not to get an answer to the question. But, to allow the mind to focus and thus allow concentration to become one pointed. It becomes like a ball of wax exploding from a blast of heat. For some this results in the opening of the mind’s eye. Insight into Nirvana. Kensho. But, it is not an easy thing to do.

How can stillness and concentration result in this thing called enlightenment? I do not know. There are many methods, meditations. And some produce great results and others don’t. It may be because of the person or personality? I just do not know. You probably know more than I do about the Dharma and enlightenment. Well, wishing you a good practice.

Tommy

Anita,

Comparing an awakened person to a tree, I wonder what it means that “the root is kept hidden from plain view”, do you know?

I have not seen that part of myself. But, I do understand what it refers to. The root is where the life of the tree ultimately resides. And, it is the source of the manifestation of its force (life, mind). It is hidden from view means that our true self is hidden from plain view. Thru stillness, we can come to know this.

In my practice, I have had moments where the mind has let go of thoughts and there is quiet. One might think that it would be quite boring to having nothing. No game to play or words to think over. But, the quiet between thoughts takes on a focus of its own. I can sit for thirty minutes and not realize it until I try to get up. The legs take a punishment. But, I think I do not sit right. Maybe a pillow to boost the backside would help. Sorry off topic.

I have found that in Zen, the Dharma always points to the truth of oneself. However, many get stuck watching the finger point the way rather than look at where the finger is point at. Me being one of them.

Dear Anita,

The pain was intense. It hurt at the kidney and along the renal path to the bladder. Once I felt it in the bladder, there was always the urge to go the bathroom. I think it has finally passed. Thanks for your concern.

There is a Zen story of a woman who suddenly one day thought she had lost her head. She looked everywhere for it. All her friends told her head was where it always was. She did not believe. Finally, a person who had seen this condition before, took a stick and hit her on the head. She then realized where her head had been all the time she thought it was lost.

Too many, they do not see the parallel between this woman and a disciple of Buddha. Before one encounters Zen, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. When one encounters Zen, mountains are not mountains and rivers are not rivers.  When one awakes, nothing externally changes. Mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. I think Dogen said that.