DavidA
-
Posts
18 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Profiles
Events
Store
Posts posted by DavidA
-
-
It's easy to carve an elephant from a block of wood; Just take a block of wood, and remove everything that isnt an elephant.
...or words to that effect.
Sounds a lot like the concept of basic training I went through in the Army..remove everything that is not a soldier until a soldier appears. The process may not be pleasant..but is necessary.
From the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Daoist Philosophy
Daoism and Confucianism
Daoists take their hands off of life.
Confucians want their fingerprints on everything.
Imagine this comparison:
The Daoist goal is to become like a piece of unhewn and natural wood, the Daoists call this the
“uncarved block” or pu.
The Daoists put the piece before us just as it is found.
The goal of the Confucians is to become a carved sculpture.
The Confucians polish it, shape it, and decorate it.
Confucians think they can engineer reality, understand it, name it, control it.
The Daoists think that such endeavors are the source of our frustration and fragmentation (DDJ, chs. 57, 72).
They believe the Confucians create a gulf between humans and nature, that weakens and destroys us.
Ronnie Littlejohn
Belmont University
-
It's easy to carve an elephant from a block of wood; Just take a block of wood, and remove everything that isnt an elephant.
...or words to that effect.
Asia/Philosophy 105
Pu
How does a Daoist aim to live?
As we age, society changes us; it attempts to educate us in its image.
As good Daoists we must resist this.
We must retain that part of us that is still child-like, that part of us that is deep inside and still filled with the wonder of life.
The Daoists call this the “uncarved block” or pu
(this is the pun that Benjamin Hoff is using in his Tao of Pooh).
The reference is to a living tree, which is then cut down and carved into a table or a chair.
We would certainly say that a chair is more useful to us than a tree, but which is happier?
We are like that tree, we have been carved into a chair by society,
which is happier, we as we have been formed by society, or as we were before we were "carved?"
Pu is like a child.
-
From Suzuki
in Zen
He has the simplest way of expressing the profound.be
Masao Abe explains the theology, Suzuki lays out the manifestation/practice of it in very understandable, practical & concrete terms.
I HAVE found Zen mental processing applicable to shooting and to other situations in general life.
There are several books of Suzuki's teachings available. I plan to read through those and the rest of Abe's writings ... right after surviving my recertification Board exam in July ....
If you haven’t read “Zen is Right Here”
(teaching stories of Shunryu Suzuki)
it shows the humility and humor of the man.
A few examples:
One day at Tassajara, Suzuki Roshi and a group of students took some tools and walked up a hot, dusty trail to work on a project.
When they got to the top, they discovered that they had forgotten a shovel. The students began a discussion about who should return to get it.
After the discussion had ended, they realized that Roshi wasn’t there. He was already half-way down the mountain trail, on his way to pick up the shovel.
One day during a tea break a student standing next to
Suzuki Roshi asked, “So what do you think about all of us crazy Zen students?”
Roshi said, “I think you’re enlightened until you open your mouth”
After an evening lecture a man in the audience asked,
“You say that Zen is everywhere. So why do we have to come to the Zen Center?”
“Zen is everywhere, “ Suzuki Roshi agreed.
“But for you, Zen is right here.”
AND
from the “Definitions”:
Zen (Japanese) A school of Buddhism originating in China.
That emphasizes zazen, direct insight, and actual experience of Buddhist truth in everyday activity.
-
Zen Practice
in Zen
why am I thinking about a falling tree?
I ask to understand the question.
one can not 'hear' a thought...
so you could have been asking
thinking a thought and hearing a sound are done by the same ability?
What they have in common is where my sense of me exists...
oooof
Zen always makes me wonder who is listening to when I talk to myself.
miranda
The following passages are from
"The Zen Teachings of Huang Po," ed John Blofeld.
If Huang Po's philosophy can be put into words
(which he repeatedly says it cannot)
it is that man must break through all of his false concepts based on
sense perception in order to see his true Self.
Though others may talk of the Way of the Bhuddas
as something to be reached by various pious practices and by sutra study,
you must have nothing to do with such ideas.
A perception, sudden as blinking, that subject and object are one,
will lead to a deeply mysterious wordless understanding;
and by this understanding will you awake to the truth of Zen.
Then how can it ever be a matter for discussion that the real Buddha
has no mouth and preaches no dharma, or that real hearing requires no ears,
for who could hear it?
Ah, it is a jewel beyond all price!
-
If you have the time, please expand the concept of only one mind.
Thank you.
"One mind" is not a concept and therefore cannot be expanded upon.
Or to put it differently, the more you think about one mind the farther you wander from it.
To get to know the reality of one mind, a good approach is to put your mind in a state of pondering, and allow it to remain there.
As often as possible, ask your self a "good" question, like "Who am I"? Paying special attention to the quality of your mind just as the question finishes, before you begin to think of an answer.
Or ponder this gem from Huang Po:
"Nothing is born, nothing is destroyed. Away with your dualism, your likes and dislikes. Every single thing is just the One Mind."
be
The selection is taken from John Blofeld’s introduction to his new rendering of this ninth-century Chinese Buddhist classic.
The Zen Teaching of Huang Po
”On the Transmission of Mind”
If Huang Po's philosophy can be put into words
(which he repeatedly says it cannot),
Huang Po’s use of the term “the One Mind”
The text indicates that Huang Po was not entirely satisfied with his choice of the word “Mind” to symbolize the
inexpressible Reality beyond the reach of conceptual thought, for he more than once explains that
“the One Mind” is not really MIND at all.
But he had to use some term or other, and “Mind” had not often been used by his predecessors.
As Mind conveys intangibility, it no doubt seemed to him a good choice, especially as the use of this term helps to make it
clear that the part of a man usually regarded as an individual entity inhabiting his body is, in fact, not his property at all,
but common to him and to everybody and everything else.
And, of course, “the One Mind” is no less misleading, unless we abandon all preconceived ideas,
as Huang Po intended.
In an earlier translation of the first part of this book, I ventured to substitute “Universal Mind” for
“the One Mind,” hoping that the meaning would be clearer.
However, I have come to see that my term is liable to a different misunderstanding; it is therefore no improvement on
“the One Mind,” which at least has the merit of being a literal translation.
-
Life has become pretty chaotic. Among the car accident, the new job, my truck falling apart (my drive shaft fell out while i was driving it
), the insanity of my shooting logistics, I decided to go on a mental vacation. Now back from that vacation, I have come away with some things worth mentioning...I have been struggling with ammo problems/shortages this whole season, partly due to circumstances out of my control, and flawed planning (in the beginning of the year). I have continued to work and attend college. All the proceeds of my employment (at the local pizza factory) shall be put towards ammo and travel costs of shooting. Furthermore, I've decided to stop worrying about not being able to practice enough (a couple thousand rounds a month) but instead to practice smart with whatever ammo I have.
I've delved deep into Taoism, and it has reshaped my outlook on life. The basis of Taoism, as some of you may know, is acceptance, in the sincerest form of the word. Taoism is to accept the facts of life, the way of things, the nature of circumstances, and to embrace them as they are meant to be. So for example: a piano falls from the sky onto a Taoist's car and renders it inoperable, the Taoist would emotionlessly work to remove the piano and fix the car, without feelings of regret or remose, simply because the falling piano was out of his control. Essentially, Taoism states that you must accept it for what it is, influence the things under your control for the better, and feel no remorse over circumstances out of your control.
This philosophy has aided me in coping with the logistical and economic struggles of my shooting. I realized that shall continue to grow as a shooter, and i shall make use of the resources available, not feeling negatively about what is out of my control.
This is how I will win: observing, accepting, improving.
(e.t.a. spelling)
Taoism teaches the technique of mastering circumstances,
not trying to control them, this is often called the path of wu-wei.
From the Tao of Physics:
TAOISM
by Fritjof Capra
The actions of the Taoist sage thus arise out of his intuitive wisdom, spontaneously and in harmony with his environment. He does not need to force himself, or anything around him, but merely adapts his actions to the movements of the Tao.
In the words of Huai Nan Tzu,
Those who follow the natural order, flow in the current of the Tao.
Such a way of acting is called wu-wei in Taoist philosophy;
a term which means literally "nonaction,"
Wu-wei is a difficult notion to translate. Yet, it is generally agreed that the traditional rendering of it as “nonaction” or “no action” is incorrect.
Joseph Needham translates as
"refraining from activity contrary to nature,"
justifying this interpretation with a quotation from the Chuang-tzu:
Nonaction does not mean doing nothing and keeping silent.
Let everything be allowed to do what it naturally does,
so that its nature will be satisfied.
If one refrains from acting contrary to nature or,
as Needham says, from "going against the grain of things,"
one is in harmony with the Tao and thus one's actions will be successful.
This is the meaning of Lao Tzu's seemingly so puzzling words,
"By nonaction everything can be done."
-
There hasn't been a zen post in a little while and I could use some advice from the budoka to wake me up. The post match blues have set in. Whenever I return from a match, my life always feels a bit ordinary and somewhat dull. On occasionan the banality is overwhelming. Between all my responsibilities (kid, husband, work, house, etc), it seems my life is scheduled to the nano-second. And while I can have intent and full attention to what I am doing now and again, most times my mind complains about the task at hand. I simply can't lose myself in the color or texture of the laundry I'm folding when it's the 87th time I've done it this week.
In the micro-cosm of the match, it's easier to "lose your mind and come to your senses." The simultaneous comprehension - mind, spirit, body - of pure experience focus into realization when the buzzer goes off. In the grocery store, it's not that easy...especially with an irrate toddler in tow. I can understand (intellectual comprehension) that it is my mind and not my surroundings or my daughter that is causing my mood, it is my thoughts and expectations. However I find I buy into the attachment, the illusion of the mood, that I am that thought, and then I feel dissatisfied. The mental noise seems to get louder the more introspection I do and I long for the quiet at the range.
I remember reading in one of my philosophy books about life as suffering; if you don't get what you want,you suffer. If you get what you don't want, you suffer. Even if you get what you want, you still suffer because you can't hold on to it. Life is not suffering; it's just that sometimes I suffer it rather than enjoy it. It's a nagging feeling, like there ought to be more. Am I living, truly experiencing life or am I moving through it without purpose and intent? I had a high school teacher once tell me, "if you are bored, you must be boring." Boredom, or the lack of tolerance for the mundane, is the nonawareness of life. It's like watching a movie for the twentieth time. You think you know what comes next.
Perhaps I am simply whining because it is difficult to let go and not have expectations. I have labeled everything and no longer see it for what it is. I have only a dry concept....Ack! I need to think less about life and feel it more!
It’s 2011 and I have just read this Post.
I realize the original Poster may not read this.
From: "The Tao of Physics"
Enlightenment in Zen does not mean withdrawal from the world but means, on the contrary, active participation in everyday affairs.
The Chinese masters always stressed that Ch'an, or Zen, is our daily experience, the 'everyday mind' as Ma-tsu proclaimed.
Their emphasis was on awakening in the midst of everyday affairs and they made it clear that they saw everyday life not only as the way to enlightnment but as enlightment itself.
In Zen, satori means the immediate experience of the Buddha nature of all things first and foremost among these things are the objects, affairs and people involved in everyday life, so that while it emphasizes life's practicalities, Zen is nevertheless profoundly mystical. Living entirely in the present and giving full attention to everyday affairs, one who has attained satori, experiences the wonder and mystery of life in every single act.
How wondrous this, how mysterious!
I carry fuel, I draw water.
The perfection of Zen is thus to live one's everyday life naturally and spontaneously. When Po-chang was asked to define Zen, he said, "When hungry, eat, when tired, sleep." Although this sounds simple and obvious, like so much in Zen, it is in fact quite a difficult task. To regain the naturalness of our original nature requires long training and constitutes a great spritual achievement.
Fritjof Capra
AND,
“The most powerful thing you can do to change the world,
is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality,
to something more positive and begin to act accordingly”
Shakti Gawain.
-
What is it?
in Zen
I had a recommendation to start a Zen forum, so here it is. Post your favorite sayings, stories, or whatever...
Just what is "Zen"? I don't know.
The word Zen translates as meditation. So I asked Bohdidharma, and this is what he said:
"Buddha is Sanskrit for what you call AWARE, MIRACULOUSLY AWARE. Responding, perceiving, arching your brows, blinking your eyes, moving your hands and feet, it's all your miraculously aware nature. And this nature is the mind. And the mind is the Buddha. And the Buddha is the path. And the path is Zen. But the word Zen is one that remains a puzzle to both mortals and sages. Seeing your [original, essential] nature is Zen."
be
As a student/competitor, I was taught this.
As an Instructor, I teach this.
From "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts"
Many people practice the martial arts, in Europe, the United States, and Japan, without really practicing the way of Budo or the way of Zen.
And the general feeling is that the principles and philosophy of Zen have nothing to do with the practice of the martial arts as sports.
People who do not want to follow the teaching of Zen, the true foundation of Bushido, do not have to do so.
They're simply using the martial arts as playthings; to them they are sports like any others.
But people who want to live their lives on a higher dimension do have to understand.
Nobody can be compelled and nobody can be criticized. The first lot are like children playing with toy cars,
while the second drive real automobiles. I have nothing against sports; they train the body and develop stamina and endurance.
But the spirit of competition and power that presides over them is not good, it reflects a distorted vision of life. The root of the martial arts is not there.
The teachers are partly responsible for this state of affairs; they train the body and teach technique, but do nothing for consciousness.
As a result their pupils fight to win, like children playing war games.
There is no wisdom in this approach and it is no use at all in the business of managing one's life.
What good to them is their technique in everyday life?
Sports are only amusement and in the end, because of the spirit of competition, they wear out the body.
That is why the martial arts should strive to recapture their original dimension. In the spirit of Zen and Budo everyday life becomes the contest.
There must be awareness at every moment - getting up in the morning, working, eating, going to bed.
That is the place for mastery of the self.
Taisen Deshimaru:
-
If you have the time, please expand the concept of only one mind.
Thank you.
"One mind" is not a concept and therefore cannot be expanded upon.
Or to put it differently, the more you think about one mind the farther you wander from it.
To get to know the reality of one mind, a good approach is to put your mind in a state of pondering, and allow it to remain there.
As often as possible, ask your self a "good" question, like "Who am I"? Paying special attention to the quality of your mind just as the question finishes, before you begin to think of an answer.
Or ponder this gem from Huang Po:
"Nothing is born, nothing is destroyed. Away with your dualism, your likes and dislikes. Every single thing is just the One Mind."
be
Brian,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I won’t think about the one mind.
I continue to have coincidental experiences. There seems to be a theme developing. My path keeps crossing humble professionals who have a deep spiritual side, like you.
-
One of the things you find, as you travel along a path toward greater awareness, is you begin frequently experiencing what I've heard called "synchronicites," i.e. coincidences that are just too coincidental. It's as if your thought processes and the flow of the world are coming more into confluence.
It’s 2011 and I have just read this post.
Synchronicites, I didn’t know there was a word to describe these experiences.
This happens to me all the time, a few examples:
I got a one year old Beagle from a friend. The dog had health and training issues. I went to a natural dog food store. I discussed my dog’s problems with the storeowner. Days after, I ran into the storeowner at the bank. Later, I ran into her at the Dog Park. I ran into her at an ATM. I ran into her at the market. There were other chance meetings. I actually thought I was being stocked, she may have felt the same way. Each time we talked about my dog. This occurred over several months. The dogs health and other issues got much better. Even though I go to the same places I haven’t seen the storeowner again. She was coincidently there several times when I needed her. I wondered, if according to Shunryu Suzuki “Things go the way the mind goes” was it mine, the storeowner’s or the dog’s mind making this happen.
Are there three (or more) minds?
There were at least two minds involved, and I threw in my dogs mind as a possibility. I had the feeling that I wasn't the one making the coincidental meetings happen. I suspected it was the dog food storeowner. I thought maybe there was a little more to her than we discussed.
Although it can't be grasped logically, there is only one mind. We touch on feeling or even knowing that when synchronistic situations occur like you described.
be
Brian,
Your perception and insight is incredible.
Sharing experiences with you is inspiring.
Your thoughts lead me to more questions.
If you have the time, please expand the concept of only one mind.
-
One of the things you find, as you travel along a path toward greater awareness, is you begin frequently experiencing what I've heard called "synchronicites," i.e. coincidences that are just too coincidental. It's as if your thought processes and the flow of the world are coming more into confluence.
It’s 2011 and I have just read this post.
Synchronicites, I didn’t know there was a word to describe these experiences.
This happens to me all the time, a few examples:
I got a one year old Beagle from a friend. The dog had health and training issues. I went to a natural dog food store. I discussed my dog’s problems with the storeowner. Days after, I ran into the storeowner at the bank. Later, I ran into her at the Dog Park. I ran into her at an ATM. I ran into her at the market. There were other chance meetings. I actually thought I was being stocked, she may have felt the same way. Each time we talked about my dog. This occurred over several months. The dogs health and other issues got much better. Even though I go to the same places I haven’t seen the storeowner again. She was coincidently there several times when I needed her. I wondered, if according to Shunryu Suzuki “Things go the way the mind goes” was it mine, the storeowner’s or the dog’s mind making this happen.
Are there three (or more) minds?
There were at least two minds involved, and I threw in my dogs mind as a possibility. I had the feeling that I wasn't the one making the coincidental meetings happen. I suspected it was the dog food storeowner. I thought maybe there was a little more to her than we discussed.
-
One of the things you find, as you travel along a path toward greater awareness, is you begin frequently experiencing what I've heard called "synchronicites," i.e. coincidences that are just too coincidental. It's as if your thought processes and the flow of the world are coming more into confluence.
It’s 2011 and I have just read this post.
Synchronicites, I didn’t know there was a word to describe these experiences.
This happens to me all the time, a few examples:
I got a one year old Beagle from a friend. The dog had health and training issues. I went to a natural dog food store. I discussed my dog’s problems with the storeowner. Days after, I ran into the storeowner at the bank. Later, I ran into her at the Dog Park. I ran into her at an ATM. I ran into her at the market. There were other chance meetings. I actually thought I was being stocked, she may have felt the same way. Each time we talked about my dog. This occurred over several months. The dogs health and other issues got much better. Even though I go to the same places I haven’t seen the storeowner again. She was coincidently there several times when I needed her. I wondered, if according to Shunryu Suzuki “Things go the way the mind goes” was it mine, the storeowner’s or the dog’s mind making this happen.
My friend’s father had to be moved into a care facility, that I recommended. He went in July 1. My mother is in a different care facility, same owners. The two care facilities come together for a Christmas Party for the families. I had never met my friend’s father, but I could feel him reaching out to me. I literally had to drag my friend to the Christmas Party. I met my friend’s father there. He had and my mother has Alzheimer's Disease. At the party I found out that my friend had not visited his father since he had come to the care facility. All was good at the Party. My friend’s father passed away peacefully less than two days later. Everyone I have told this story too, except my friend, has said the father was waiting to see his only son before leaving.
-
Waiting to walk across a busy intersection, I "got the man," checked traffic in every direction, and stepped into the crosswalk - remaining aware of all the cars nearby. Especially the one making a left turn, slowly coming toward me. It slowed down... Aware of no other threats, my attention pulled in and I started thinking about something. Suddenly I realize the "left turn" car is coming right at me and I jump to the side, avoiding the car as it cruises past.
The first thing I remember was anger. As I was in the air I stuck both hands out to the side and gave the driver a "WTF!?" look. Wake up! - I said to myself (to the driver). The next thought - "Never slack off, even for an instant." By the time I was out of the intersection I was walking along, not thinking, paying attention again.
Later I realized my outwardly directed "Wake up!" was an admonition to myself.
Four things spontaneously occurred: Response, reaction, reflection, correction.
It started with pure response - I got out of the way. Like a lightening bolt, anger - "WTF!?" - was there; before I even hit the ground. Comprehending the uselessness of anger in that situation, in a few seconds, my attention returned to me... "Never slack off, even for an instant." It's all me.
be
So tonight I'm crossing that very same intersection, I'm almost to the sidewalk, as I notice an SUV in the right lane, that's kind of slowing down, looking like it's going to stop. But it doesn't. The bumper is but a foot from my leg... and I somehow managed to get out of the way probably faster than could have been witnessed. I look at the driver as the car cruise right past where I was, and she's not even looking anywhere near she's going. I should have looked at the driver as soon as I noticed that the car was still moving. I normally would have...
be
I was sitting on the park bench with a cold one. I had finished practicing archery.
A gentle breeze was blowing. I could hear twanging bowstrings and thunks as arrows hit targets. It was peaceful, almost dream like. I heard a honk in the distance. People were arriving to shoot. I heard another honk, but closer. An archer was getting his equipment out in front of me. I heard another honk right above me.
I looked up and saw a perfect “V” formation flight of seven Canadian Geese.
They were just over the treetops and I could hear the flap of their wings. I said “Wow” loudly and was spellbound as I watched them fly.
In a lot of places the sight of these Geese is not unusual, but in Long Beach, California, we don’t see that everyday. The archer glanced upward and continued to pull equipment out. His mind was occupied on his upcoming practice. Fumbling with all his gear, he rushed off to the targets. His tunnel vision\thoughts kept him from appreciating the rare beautiful moment that had passed before him.
These quotes came to mind:
“Zen is everywhere…Zen is right here”
Shunryu Suzuki
+1 “The average man only pays attention when he deems it necessary,
whereas the warrior pays attention at all times.”
Carlos Castenada
“With your spirit settled, accumulate practice, day by day and hour by hour”
Miyamoto Musashi
-
In my case, training to pause eventually became training to not rush. Doing something (pausing) takes time. Not doing something takes no time.
That's it! Well said, reading it gave me the chills.
You learn to pause by recognizing that you paused, so it is measurable. But with practice, the "pause" becomes integrated with the uninterrupted activity. So at that point it's still recognizable, but not measurable.
be
A revolver cylinder that I was working on popped from my grasp.
The reaction started before the “Oh shit.”
A hand whirled below the falling cylinder before it could hit the concrete floor.
My observation was not “out of body.”
I watched as if my hand was separate from my body and mind.
The hand had moved on its own.
The hand caught the cylinder.
After I came out of “IT” the speed and precision of my hand wowed me.
No anticipation, no practice, no programming, no mind, a pure reaction to the moment.
Mushin.
This was not a unique experience; some might not even contemplate it,
to me it was a small wondrous moment of awareness.
-
I think I followed where you were going in the OP, but you lost me with "the companion of self awareness is time". Why must it be so? Could you expand on that a little bit?
Thanks
Kevin
Have you ever had the rare experience that you "came out" of?
Whether shooting a stage or doing any activity, you suddenly realized that for a short or a long period, there was no sense of self. The actor and action had merged into one activity. In that state there is no sense of passing time. And you only realized the sense of self when "you" "came back."
The "there's no time in the Zone" state has to be experienced for the truth of it to be realized.
Or to put it more directly, as Krishnamurti has said many times, "Time is thought."
Time is like the illusion created by the magician's sleight of hand. The "magic" conceals the true, timeless reality.
In each moment, everything is perfect as it is. Only when we think about the past or the future do things become good or bad.
be
I posted my out of body experience elsewhere, and got this reply from benos:
Over the years, I had quite a few of those out of body experiences while shooting stages,
in practice and in matches.
No other type of experience compares to it, in the way it affects your mind.
To benos:
I feel your words and wisdom, sensei.
-
I read this in another thread:
Have you ever had the rare experience that you "came out" of?
Whether shooting a stage or doing any activity,
you suddenly realized that for a short or a long period, there was no sense of self.
The actor and action had merged into one activity.
In that state there is no sense of passing time.
And you only realized the sense of self when "you" "came back."
The "there's no time in the Zone" state has to be experienced for the truth of it to be realized.
Only when we think about the past or the future do things become good or bad.
be
To benos:
I feel your words and wisdom, sensei.
-
A ZEN MOMENT
THE GROUND WAS UNEVEN BUT FIRM.
THE NOCK SNAPPED TO THE STRING.
I INHALED AND SMELLED HOT DOGS.
THE BREEZE WAS COOL ON MY BACK.
MY CHEST WAS WARM FROM THE SUN.
THE TREES WERE RUSTLING.
SHADES OF GREEN REFLECTED FROM THE LEAVES.
GEESE WERE HONKING AND FLYING LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE DISTANCE.
THE BOW APPEARED.
PULLING THE ARROW BACK SOUNDED LIKE A SWORD BEING WITHDRAWN.
THE SITE SETTLED ON THE TARGET EASILY.
THE RELEASE HAPPENED.
I WAS FLYING TOWARDS THE TARGET IN A SLIGHT ARC.
A SOLID HIT BUT I NOTICED THE BULLSEYE TO MY RIGHT.
A MOMENT PASSED, THEN I WAS BACK 30 YARDS LOOKING AT THE TARGET.
A SMILE FORMED
I ENJOYED BEING AWARE.
), the insanity of my shooting logistics, I decided to go on a mental vacation. Now back from that vacation, I have come away with some things worth mentioning...
Zen in the ordinary moments
in Zen
Posted
Carina,
Your first post sort of reminded me of the vinegar jar. There are three monks sitting around a jar of vinegar. The first has a sour expression on his face. The second has an angry expression on his face. The third is smiling.
Liota
This is the way I have heard the story of the vinegar jar
and explains the expressions on the faces of the monks.
This is a famous picture called the “Vinegar Tasters”.
The three monks represent Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.
The jar has vinegar in it, representing life, and each philosopher is reacting to the taste.
To the Confucian, life is sour (sour expression).
To the Buddhist, life is bitter (angry expression).
To the Daoist, life is sweet (smile).