The Thirty-third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

**aprapti** · 01-21-2023, 11:50 PM

aprapti

sat

**Shokai** · 01-22-2023, 06:35 PM

**Spiritdove** · 01-23-2023, 12:32 AM

As opinionated as always I think time is the illusion. Since we only live in the present moment. Past and future are always now. So its now and time does not really exist. I havent figure it out totally how now can always be now.. gassho1.gif

**Shokai** · 01-23-2023, 02:22 AM

Here and now is the only place you can be. Just sit

Link to there

gassho, Shokai

**Spiritdove** · 01-23-2023, 07:22 PM

**Kokuu** · 01-23-2023, 08:47 PM

As opinionated as always I think time is the illusion. Since we only live in the present moment. Past and future are always now. So its now and time does not really exist. I havent figure it out totally how now can always be now

In addition to dropping notions of past and future, we can also let go of the idea of now.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

**aprapti** · 01-23-2023, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Spiritdove

As opinionated as always I think time is the illusion. Since we only live in the present moment. Past and future are always now. So its now and time does not really exist. I havent figure it out totally how now can always be now.. [ATTACH=CONFIG]8182[/ATTACH]

and what i find the most intriguing : this now does not exist either.. when i say now: when i say the o the n is already past and the w is future.. where is this now?

aprapti

sat

**Tokan** · 01-23-2023, 11:30 PM

Hey all

1. How does the awareness of time relate to our treatment of the spoken word?
It would appear that, as far as we know, at this 'time', our conception of time is a human construct, yet it is a relative reality that we experience, whether by clock or by the rising and setting of the sun and the movement of seasons. I wonder if the intent here is to draw out attention to the fact that we don't get time 'back', but also that we can't take our actions/speech back that occur in the space called 'time'. On that basis it would also remind us that the time is now, right speech is now, attentiveness during teisho is now.

2. Does awareness of time cause us not to speak lightly?
As for my comment on 1., awareness of time would not lead to all people avoiding 'light' speaking, but in combination with our practice-vows it is certainly an important dimension to our inter-being and interconnectedness with all things, and bringing that awareness in our speech.

3. Comment on the nuance expressed in the Capping Verse.
The zafu is waiting.

Gassho, Tokan (satlah)

**Shokai** · 01-24-2023, 12:29 AM

where is this now?

gassho, Shokai
stlah

**Spiritdove** · 01-24-2023, 01:15 AM

Ok now that is a stumper to me. Since I am a living person I am now. Now is all around me. I am not going to distinguish me totally until my body turns to dust. Its not attaching its just i like me.

No one has given any evidence of "nothing" it has not been shown. when you claim a nothing there is always the observer there of that nothing then it turns into something. Always air., space, gravity.. ect. I will put this on the shelf till I read what the zen meaning of what you just said is.
Whats wrong with now? Since Im doing it now. Now moves along with me. *hmmm*
Marj "Spiritdove"
sat today.

**Spiritdove** · 01-24-2023, 01:19 AM

one time I was sitting relaxing under a tree very calm and I am not sure what happened. I noticed a leaf falling in front of me. I felt myself complete calm and that leaf "stopped" in mid air. I think maybe it was delusion but not sure. I mean it stayed there until I thought " wow that leaf is not moving" that's when it started moving again. Mind is so fickle. I still do not think I agree on what your saying about "now" but will mull over it. I think its that "stop" i experience is that now. Until I start thinking on it.

Marj "Spiritdove"
Sat Today

**Tairin** · 01-24-2023, 01:45 AM

Thank you Shokai

I have to admit that this one didn’t resonate with me at all. I don’t see the connection between awareness of time and speaking lightly at least not a connection obviously related to the Dharma.

Tairin
Sat today and lah

**Shokai** · 01-24-2023, 02:08 AM

My take on the Nishijima-cross translation is similar to Tokan's; it reminds us that the time is now and attentiveness during teisho is now (we don't 'get time back.') Whereas, Tanahashi's version intimates that awareness of time causes one not to speak frivolously. ( a fine balance between too serious vs too lightly)

gassho, Shokai
stlah