Im doing this to make a note of the day and to give suitable opportunity for any lingering concepts to be beaten mercilessly by those who wield their club like a scientist.
1) Where have you just come from?
What are the teachings of your lineage, the content of its practice, and a record that attests to it? What is fundamental to understand this teaching.
The scriptures set out in the subs recommended reading. Reading the words of the Zen elders. Engaging in this sub. The practice is no practice beyond detaching from concepts. The path to mind cannot be found from turning towards or turning away. I suppose understanding that it's not a gradual thing. Like mentioned in the foreword of The Teachings Of Huang Po, there is no stages of boiling. The realising will come like a flash. I need only apply myself to detaching from concepts and thoughts and things. Without turning away from.
2) What's your text?
What text, personal experience, quote from a master, or story from zen lore best reflects your understanding of the essence of zen?
The Buddha had a secret teaching. Kasyapa didn't conceal it.
The flower twirled in the hand. All the confused monks. Kasyapa smiled. When you see that what is offered plainly before you, you do not snatch greedily but take the gift or refuse it with respect.
In the times where I'm in pain or anxiety flares it's head, I've learned to detach from and observe. To not be bound by it but not reject it. Let it be.
3) Dharma low tides?
What do you suggest as a course of action for a student wading through a "dharma low-tide"? What do you do when it's like pulling teeth to read, bow, chant, sit, or post on r/zen?
Realise that there is no secret that destroys all problems. That really, the concepts make things seem like problems. It's fruitful to be in tune with the physical. If you need to sleep, why wrestle to force your eyes open unneccisarily. When you're hungry, why wrestle with not eating. When tears erupt from your eyes, why fight to hide them.
Submitted August 04, 2022 at 09:57PM by Turbulent_Highway_51 https://ift.tt/7e5RygE
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