Blue Cliff Record (Case 2) The Ultimate Path is Without Difficulty

[Jundo]

[Heikyo]

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

I like going for walks in nature, but if I do not, I just accept that nature is still with me even if I am sitting somewhere else.

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

After the death of my father I definitely did not feel ‘clear’ , but then just stopped wanting it to be ‘right’ and let the universe do its own thing.

3- Do you like this Koan?

I like this idea of not having attachments or aversions and just letting things 'be'.

Gassho
Heikyo
Sat today

[Hoseki]

I'm still not quite sure if these are suitable answers but here goes.

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

-Being somewhere I don't want to be.

If one can relax their grip on their feelings (open the hand of thought), the feelings remain but they take up less space.


2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

-Worrying about potential bad news from the doctor.

When over come with worry. Take the backwards step. Then worry is just worry. Repeat as needed.


3- Do you like this Koan?

Likes and dislikes arise naturally. You don't have to eat the garnish.

Gassho,

Hoseki
sattoday/lah

[Alina]

1 - Feeling at ease / feeling exhausted. Continue parenting anyway.

2 - Grieving old hurts, being OK with it being a part of the present (and possibly future) and somehow finding ease in the midst of heartbreak.

3- I don't know.

[Jundo]

I'm still not quite sure if these are suitable answers but here goes.

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

-Being somewhere I don't want to be.

If one can relax their grip on their feelings (open the hand of thought), the feelings remain but they take up less space.

I might also ask where are you where are you not? So, what space is there to ever take up?

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

-Worrying about potential bad news from the doctor.

When over come with worry. Take the backwards step. Then worry is just worry. Repeat as needed.

What "doctor?" So what "news"?

Something like that.

Gassho, J
stlah

[Ramine]

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

I like a clean bathroom, and I really need it for sanitary reasons. I don't particularly like doing the cleaning, but once I start I just do it - likes and dislikes disappear in the doing.

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

A good friend is in the hospital with multiple complications and in isolation. Nothing feels nice and clear for us or his family at the moment. I think the acceptance of this lack of solidity is at the core of practice. Wishing for clarity and order when it is not there is just more chasing after thoughts.

3- Do you like this Koan?

Trick question , I feel. My answer : -silence-

Ramine
Sat and Lah

[Jundo]

I like a clean bathroom, and I really need it for sanitary reasons. I don't particularly like doing the cleaning, but once I start I just do it - likes and dislikes disappear in the doing.

I might ask ... what bathroom? .... How is clean not the whole universe, dirty not but the whole universe in every bit of grime? ...

Gassho, J
stlah

[Hoseki]

I might also ask where are you where are you not? So, what space is there to ever take up?




What "doctor?" So what "news"?

Something like that.

Gassho, J
stlah

Thanks Jundo! I think I understand the exercise now. I'm going to reread the koan and try again.

Gassho,

Hoseki
sattoday/lah

[Brett]

1. My aorta has calcification, that sucks, yet my heart still beats.
2. What will I leave behind after I’m gone?
3. Mu? Oops, wrong one.

St/lah
Gassho
Brett

[Bion]

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.
Heat or no heat, pleasant or annoying, why create more problems? Just sweat

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.
How to help someone who refuses to be helped? Embrace not knowing and in all directions there´s nothing to obstruct it.

3- Do you like this Koan?
Just inquiring about it is enough

Gassho
sat and lah

[Ramine]

I might ask ... what bathroom? .... How is clean not the whole universe, dirty not but the whole universe in every bit of grime? ...

Yes, no separation. Not pure, not stained. There is just the dance of me-not-me in the universal bathroom with the universe.
Ramine
Sat

[Jundo]

[BikeZen]

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

I like riding my bicycle. Just like having a thought leads to thinking about thinking, I can be free by just letting go of liking or needing and just do it. Ride my bike, that is all.

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

Advising a client that a course of action is legal but unwise. If they do it anyway, that's their choice, and by not judging whether it is a good choice or bad one, or one I "like" or "dislike", then I have clarity that it just is what it is.

3- Do you like this Koan?



Gassho,
Bill

Sat

[ZenJay]

1 - Describe very briefly something you like (and maybe totally need to like in life ... like water and breathing!) or need to dislike (e.g., poison) ... and how one can also be free of "likes and dislikes" about it even while doing so.

2 - Describe a cloudy moment of life, one that does not feel very "nice and clear" at all ... and how Clarity comes from not preferring it to be clear.

3- Do you like this Koan?


1- "Good" and "bad" emotions. We all want to feel "good" , and avoid feeling "bad". Because this is impossible, we suffer. BUT... who is there to feel "good" or "bad"? Wash the dishes...

2- BIrth- I can't remember being born, an expression of the fact that there was no "me" being born. I think "not remembering", every moment to moment I am born, and born again.

3- I don't know either

Gassho,
Jay

Sat/Lah today

[Jundo]

I like riding my bicycle. Just like having a thought leads to thinking about thinking, I can be free by just letting go of liking or needing and just do it. Ride my bike, that is all.

I might just note that, as you ride your bike, the bike is riding you ... and so for the road and sky and passing scenery ... and really all reality is just riding as you ride ... riding rides riding ...

Gassho, J
stlah