BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

[Hans]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

Hello,

regarding Jundo's question: Can you describe a problem or incident in your life, now or in the past ... a situation that is/was very hard ... that your head was filled with thoughts and emotions about, and that you resisted or hated very much ... but would have/did/might experience very differently by just being "without words", just allowing and not fighting?

This instantly reminds me of a time when I just started a new job many years ago which on some deep level just didn't feel right, although factually all should have been wonderful. Instead of just allowing myself to truly feel the emotions and thoughts - and to follow them to their source, I got caught up in my feeling miserable and complained to people close to me about my situation. Had I allowed myself to just feel the feeling, clarity might have been found much sooner, with the effect that I could have taken appropriate action earlier. Interestingly clarity doesn't lead to more options IMHO, but to less and less options. So the freedom I am talking about here is not one of unlimited choices, it is one of having a clear understanding of the way things are, followed by not being as caught-up by unnecessary fetters. Being free to do what really needs to be done..now that is freedom.


Gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Jinyo]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

Printer jams, a partner leaves, soccer foul and parents too,

mother sick, work don't work, hearts and legs broken ...

A nail from old stairs pierces Buddha's foot ... OUCH!... Manjushri tumbles down ...

Cutting grass, This Moment on 10,000 blades.

Thanks Jundo

Gassho

Willow

[Rich]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

'The Dharma-Kings Dharma is as is'

When I first came to Buddhism I was just looking for another way to escape a life filled with pain, anxiety and fear. I believed that enlightenment would change me into a totally different person. Well, I'm still basically the same but I probably notice things sooner and more completely. Right now I'm a little anxious about the sale of my house. But its not growing into a monster. I acknowledge it and do what needs to be done on my part and put it down as much as necessary. Now some of the as is ness can be pretty nice and some can be pretty bad but you always acknowledge it and let it go - all just sitting - all good practice. So you are the Dharma-King ascending and descending the throne.

[Shokai]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

Q: Is there any need to speak of as-is-ness once it is realized ?
A: I don't know!

Oops is this case 2 :lol:

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

'The Dharma-Kings Dharma is as is'

When I first came to Buddhism I was just looking for another way to escape a life filled with pain, anxiety and fear. I believed that enlightenment would change me into a totally different person. Well, I'm still basically the same but I probably notice things sooner and more completely. Right now I'm a little anxious about the sale of my house. But its not growing into a monster. I acknowledge it and do what needs to be done on my part and put it down as much as necessary. Now some of the as is ness can be pretty nice and some can be pretty bad but you always acknowledge it and let it go - all just sitting - all good practice. So you are the Dharma-King ascending and descending the throne.

Thank you Rich,
Buddha mind ascending, descending, outflowing.

Gassho,
Pontus

[Thane]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

Hi everyone

I am fairly new to studying formal written Koans but i have enjoyed this first one. For me it said that the truth is right here and now in this moment. When we realise the Dharma-King's Dharma it is just being here present in this moment with out adding mental commentary to it. This moment might contain joy, indifference, stress etc but if we don't add our own mental commentary to it, it is experienced as the Dharma King's Dharma? The World Honored One descending from the platform seemed to me to add power to Manjushri's words and really hit home that these words really did point to the truth and nothing more needs to be added.

In theory this makes sense to me but i know that it can be difficult to always live this in my own life. I recall a time several years ago where i felt very disappointed by the way i had been treated by an employer that i had really loved working for. Cutting a long story short i got myself in a real state about it. Was even signed off for three weeks as a result. It affected me emotionally for a year, maybe longer. What i beat myself up about was, hey i'm a Buddhist, and been practising for years, this shouldn't happen to me! I am calm and peaceful and my mind is fairly clear. I can laugh about this now. Maybe if i had read this koan then it would have help me? It might have helped me cut through the delusions i had set up about what a Buddhist is, what i am, and how practice and life should unfold. I might have seen that even this unpleasant situation the Dharma-King's Dharma just as it is.

Well that is my first post on treeleaf and on this study and i look forward to studying with you all.

In gassho

Thane

[Jinyo]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

... more shared refections - thank you Rich, Shokai, Thane and Pontus.

I've gone back to the Preface to the Assembly - I'm not sure I understand it.


Any thoughts?

Would you 'step forward' ?

Willow

[andyZ]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

I've gone back to the Preface to the Assembly - I'm not sure I understand it.


Any thoughts?

Would you 'step forward' ?

Willow

I think if you "step forward" you bring your own expectation into this situation. In this case you expect some important dharma teaching yet "not getting any".

What I don't get in the preface is this line – "I have no doubts about him." "Him" – the one who steps forward or the one who takes the high seat?

[Dokan]

Re: Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

What I don't get in the preface is this line – "I have no doubts about him." "Him" – the one who steps forward or the one who takes the high seat?

Are you certain they are two?

Gassho

Dokan

[Jinyo]

Re: Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

What I don't get in the preface is this line – "I have no doubts about him." "Him" – the one who steps forward or the one who takes the high seat?

Are you certain they are two?

Gassho

Dokan

Yeh - that's what was throwing me Andy - but I see what Dokan's pointing at.

But do we stand and scowl (while reflecting, abbreviating, elaborating - like I'm doing right now :roll: ) or close the gate and snooze?

Willow

[andyZ]

Re: Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

What I don't get in the preface is this line – "I have no doubts about him." "Him" – the one who steps forward or the one who takes the high seat?

Are you certain they are two?

Gassho

Dokan

That's an interesting perspective. Thank you.

[Myozan Kodo]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

And the wordless became FLESH!
(And still dwells among us)

[Jundo]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

And the wordless became FLESH!
(And still dwells among us)

John 1:14

14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Gassho, J

[Ekai]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

This case reminds of the quote by Chogyam Trungpa, "First thought, Best thought"

Can you describe a problem or incident in your life, now or in the past ... a situation that is/was very hard ... that your head was filled with thoughts and emotions about, and that you resisted or hated very much ... but would have/did/might experience very differently by just being "without words", just allowing and not fighting?

Too many times to count :shock: ! It's easier to recall when my head was clear during a difficult time than when it was out of control. I have a tendency to worry when something goes wrong. A new mole must mean it's cancer or when my computer program glitches, it must be junk. Then it's time to surf on the internet for more information that usually results in a waste of time. There is definitely improvement over the years in letting go of thoughts/emotions, and I notice quicker when the mind becomes unruly. But, it's still an ongoing process. I aspire to be like my mom and mother-in-law. They have cultivated the ability to be with things "just as they are". It's quite comical to see the unnecessary turmoil the mind adds to challenging situation .

Gassho,
Ekai

[Kaishin]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - Case 1

This past Sunday was Mother's Day in the US. My mother decided she would like a simple day at a local park with close family. So my wife and I, our two daughters, my sister, her boyfriend, and his wonderful old dog spent the day there with my mother and father. We had a nice picnic lunch in the shade, played with the girls on the playground equipment, went for a leisurely hike around the lake. It was one of the most enjoyable outings I can remember, and after reading this koan, I think that's largely due to me "turning off" my brain. I tend to add so much mental commentary to every experience I have, but not this time... not sure why.

So it was just

eating, eating, eating
playing, playing, playing,
hiking, hiking, hiking
laughing, laughing, laughing,
loving, loving, loving

kids throwing rocks into the lake, watching the water ripple
everyone laughing at the old dog's delight at jumping into the shallow water, "hunting" the geese
reminiscing about our time as little kids at the same park with our parents

nothing complicated, nothing orchestrated

ascending, descending

_/_