WHAT IS ZEN? - Thru Chap 1 - 'What's The Point?'

[Jakuden]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

[emoji22] So sorry Meishin, my heart is with you and your family. What a long happy life your sweet doggie has had. Metta ❤️
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


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[Mp]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

We will be with you in each of those moments Meishin, with tears and gentle hearts.

Deep bows
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Shokai]

Meishin;
Your 17 year old is not your family dog. You are his Buddha.
It's OK to cry, Rejoice in his liberation. Metta for you and your family

nine bows, in gassho, shokai

stlah

[Mr_Kha]

What I like first of this book is the statement that it is done in dialogues and their own words. A lot of Zen books, even for beginners, are just too far away, written by experts who have done Zen for decades. The typical expert stuff written by experts for lays, which is unreadable for lays. They throw the beginner into deep water, although the beginner is just thinking of the basic theory of swimming. I was afraid to get a personal view, but the first chapter already reveals an open mind. The authors do not impose their own world view on the reader, they give always some points on their view of Zen, but also that there are others.

[Meishin]

Thank you

Gassho
Meishin
Sat today lah

[Beldame]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

Very sorry for your loss -- and grateful for the love you have shown your family dog. I can't say what is or is not Zen, but sending metta to you and your family.

Gassho--
Deborah

SatToday

[Eishuu]

Eishuu, do you know the passage from Bendowa that refers to "The fire god comes seeking fire"?



Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

Thank you

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

[Jinyo]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

Very hard to say goodbye to a loved family companion - metta to you and your family



Jinyo

ST

[Kyonin]

Hi guys,

I was able to buy the book today. Will report back after reading. This also zen!

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

[Hoseki]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

I'm sorry for you loss. If it helps that dog has lived his/her life surrounded by the family they love and who love them in return. To pass away peacefully surrounded by the ones we love. I can't think of a better way to go.

Gassho
Hoseki
sattoday

[Onkai]

What is Zen? We have an appointment to euthanize our 17-year-old family dog who suffers from a multitude of ailments. It helps to realize there is no “we,” no “family dog,” and no “euthanasia.” At the same time, we will cry like babies. That is Zen.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat Today LAH

Metta to you, your family and your dog.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat

[Jishin]

Zen is the ability to accept competing narratives.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jishin]

Truly sorry about your loss Meishin.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Shinshi]

Most importantly, much Metta to you Meishin. Really sorry to hear about your dog. That is a hard place to be but I am sure you did the right thing by your companion.

So, what is Zen, and the point of Zen practice, to you as we begin this book?

Zen is the hummingbird dancing on the wind. It is moment your child says they love you. It is the grievous wound that will not heal. It is holding your loved one close. It is watching your loved one die.

There aren't enough words to paint the full picture of Zen.

Trying to describe Zen is like trying to cage the wild beast that must run free.

I don't know. I guess to me Zen is the never ending practice of fully engaging in one's life. And the point is to just keep returning to that practice.

What do you consider to be the meaning in saying "no gaining mind" and "goallessness" in Shikantaza Practice?

For me, right now, I take this to mean that when your thoughts drift to a goal you drift away from the real. As you engage with the goal you begin to constrict your view and your experience. You start to dance with the goal and lose track of everything else. But when you sit with "no gaining mind" you are open to any opportunity that might arise.

Like Eishuu I was struck by "The fire god comes seeking fire". (Thank you Kokuu for posting the story). I feel like that resonates for me.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Alexander]

So, what is Zen, and the point of Zen practice, to you as we begin this book?

I feel that Zen is simply this very unwavering moment. Any other concept we attach to it deludes its meaning. Everything just is.

I feel the idea of goallessness in Shikantaza is about yielding to this very moment with nothing to gain. Seeking without looking for anything. Observing the rabbit hole without ever going down it.

Gassho,
Alexander
ST/LAH