benos Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I think this thread will be interesting soley due to the variety of responses it will have. I've been reading a book that is in part the inspiration for this topic. So here's the question. If someone asked me what is my Zen practice, at all times, what would I say? And since it will be difficult to guess the exact sentence (the answer is not in the linked post) - the winner will be whoever is closest in meaning. (I'm pretty sure I've never posted it, so that will save you some searching.) If BigJoni wins, I'll give her 20 bucks instead of a book. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nashvillebill Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 (edited) When I read that post, I was reminded of "The way of the peaceful warrior" by Dan Millman. It's been twenty years since I read it and I gave away my copy, so all recollections are fuzzy. If that's the right book, my guess as to your answer would be "breathing". At least, that would be my answer. Edited May 4, 2010 by nashvillebill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avezorak Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Being..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkatz44 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Awareness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Envisioning success Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS101 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Maku Mozo - Do not be deluded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Observing things, without judging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 To bring your awareness to focus on experience at the present moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lensman Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Mindfulness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Attention There's an old Zen story: a student said to Master Ichu, 'Please write for me something of great wisdom.' Master Ichu picked up his brush and wrote one word: 'Attention.' The student said, 'Is that all?' The master wrote, 'Attention. Attention.' The student became irritable. 'That doesn't seem profound or subtle to me.' In response, Master Ichu wrote simply, 'Attention. Attention. Attention.' In frustration, the student demanded, 'What does this word attention mean?' Master Ichu replied, 'Attention means attention.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow9x19 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 To live in the moment: the past is gone and the future has yet to come, so all there is is now, the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38supPat Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 To be attentive to everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 All good stuff so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnut315 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 live an error free day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkatz44 Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 (edited) Focusing on awareness. Edited May 5, 2010 by jkatz44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 When doing something, just do it. When driving, just drive; when eating, just eat; when working, just work. Finally, your don't-know mind will become clear. Then you can see the sky, only blue. You can see the tree, only green. Your mind is like a clear mirror. Red comes, the mirror is red; white comes the mirror is white. A hungry person comes, you can give him food; a thirsty person comes, you can give her something to drink. There is no desire for myself, only for all beings. That mind is already enlightenment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 When doing something, just do it. When driving, just drive; when eating, just eat; when working, just work. Finally, your don't-know mind will become clear. Then you can see the sky, only blue. You can see the tree, only green. Your mind is like a clear mirror. Red comes, the mirror is red; white comes the mirror is white. A hungry person comes, you can give him food; a thirsty person comes, you can give her something to drink. There is no desire for myself, only for all beings. That mind is already enlightenment. Good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 Focusing on awareness. Who focuses on awareness? be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 You say "I focus on awareness." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkatz44 Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 You say, "my Zen practice is my complete focus of full awareness." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 (edited) When doing something, just do it. When driving, just drive; when eating, just eat; when working, just work. Finally, your don't-know mind will become clear. Then you can see the sky, only blue. You can see the tree, only green. Your mind is like a clear mirror. Red comes, the mirror is red; white comes the mirror is white. A hungry person comes, you can give him food; a thirsty person comes, you can give her something to drink. There is no desire for myself, only for all beings. That mind is already enlightenment. Good stuff. Thanks, I thought so too, but I guess not good enough for the book. What I think it's saying is that when you do something, concentrate only on that thing, don't think about anything else. Be aware of what you are doing, whether it be something you percieve to be complicated or something as simple as opening a door. Be aware of how your body moves, the muscles in your arms and hands, focus just on the moment, shutting out all other thoughts, and just be the moment. So, I would think your Zen practice is to be. To be one with everything around you, but also be nothing, to notice all but leave no trace of your being... Edited May 5, 2010 by GrumpyOne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Focusing on awareness. Who focuses on awareness? be Your being focuses on awareness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 You say "I focus on awareness." Where is the "I" located? Focusing on awareness. Who focuses on awareness? be Your being focuses on awareness. Awareness is being. So what is focusing on what? be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 You say "I focus on awareness." Where is the "I" located? Focusing on awareness. Who focuses on awareness? be Your being focuses on awareness. Awareness is being. So what is focusing on what? be Your minds "eye" is focusing on awareness/being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 You say "I focus on awareness." Where is the "I" located? Focusing on awareness. Who focuses on awareness? be Your being focuses on awareness. Awareness is being. So what is focusing on what? be Your minds "eye" is focusing on awareness/being. When the naming ends you will know. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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