Mu Shō (impermanence)

[Chikyou]

I had an experience the other day that I feel I should share. I have been really stressed lately, struggling to find peace with, mostly, current political situations in the US and around the world (this is not about politics so I'll leave it at that). I sat for Zazenkai with the recording, as I usually do, and while I was waiting for ceremony to start, I was fidgeting a bit more than usual. I started to fidget with my rakusu, and I happened to look at the back of it. In addition to my Dharma name, Shōkai had written "Mu Shō" and underneath it, the translation: "impermanence".

Ah-ha! This is a core part of Zen teaching, but I often forget about it as I get caught up in the never ending stresses of life. So I sat with it, this lesson of impermanence.

Thank you Shōkai, for leaving that "Easter egg" for me to find when I needed it.

Gassho,
SatLah
Chikyō

[Shinshi]

Thank you for sharing. That is a lovely story.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Jundo]

Lovely.

Buddhist "impermanence" is a little different than "this too shall pass" or "the sun will come out tomorrow." Those are lovely sentiments, but the Zen way is more about our learning to "flow with" ... better, "flow as" ... the flowing impermanence, allowing the river to flow where it will. Rainy days are rainy days, sunny days are sunny days, and all are the liveliness of winds' change through open sky.

.

.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Guest]

Lovely.

Buddhist "impermanence" is a little different than "this too shall pass" or "the sun will come out tomorrow." Those are lovely sentiments, but the Zen way is more about our learning to "flow with" ... better, "flow as" ... the flowing impermanence, allowing the river to flow where it will. Rainy days are rainy days, sunny days are sunny days, and all are the liveliness of winds' change through open sky.

.

.

Gassho, J

stlah

Ah Lovely way to put this Jundo.

My Taiji teacher, who is a Daoist and Buddhist, often quotes this Daoist phrase, "Push the boat and then flow with the current." I take that to mean that we still have to bring an intention to what we are doing, but then we also are willing to flow along with, and as part of, everything as it is. Not passive resignation here, because we can push the boat, but we then have to then flow with the current.

Gassho,
Daiman
ST/LAH

[Jundo]

Ah Lovely way to put this Jundo.

My Taiji teacher, who is a Daoist and Buddhist, often quotes this Daoist phrase, "Push the boat and then flow with the current." I take that to mean that we still have to bring an intention to what we are doing, but then we also are willing to flow along with, and as part of, everything as it is. Not passive resignation here, because we can push the boat, but we then have to then flow with the current.

Gassho,
Daiman
ST/LAH

Oh, yes. We seek to swim in healthful and beneficial directions, avoiding the rocks and shoals as best we can ... and we do so as long as we can, avoiding the river's attempts to pull us under.

But, ultimately, we will go where we go. Try to swim in good directions. But sometimes, when forces are too strong, just cast out one's arms and float float float, letting life's waters carry one where they will.

The Zen fellow might add that, ultimately, swimmer and waters, rocks and shoals, good directions and bad, are all just us and we just this. We emerge from this river, and someday we sink back into this river ... but we are just the river.

Something like that.

Gassho, J

stlah

[RobO]

Sometimes I feel like I am impermanent and that I do not belong in this world. See, as a boy of seven my father blatently rejected our family and he went for another woman. I weptt bitterly and sometimes I feel that I don't even belong at Treeleaf Zendo because my posts are seldome answered, and Jundo does not to seem to care about me because I am old now, I am 72, and no uase to anyone, and you are right about this world, that governments could give a flying flip about anyone.
Gassho
sat/lah

Sending Metta

Gassho, Rob
sat/lah

[Chikyou]

Sometimes I feel like I am impermanent and that I do not belong in this world. See, as a boy of seven my father blatently rejected our family and he went for another woman. I weptt bitterly and sometimes I feel that I don't even belong at Treeleaf Zendo because my posts are seldome answered, and Jundo does not to seem to care about me because I am old now, I am 72, and no uase to anyone, and you are right about this world, that governments could give a flying flip about anyone.
Gassho
sat/lah

Oh Tai Shi,

For what it's worth, I get the impression that you are a beloved regular visitor here at Treeleaf.

Gassho,
SatLah
Chikyō

[Jundo]

Sometimes I feel like I am impermanent and that I do not belong in this world. See, as a boy of seven my father blatently rejected our family and he went for another woman. I weptt bitterly and sometimes I feel that I don't even belong at Treeleaf Zendo because my posts are seldome answered, and Jundo does not to seem to care about me because I am old now, I am 72, and no uase to anyone, and you are right about this world, that governments could give a flying flip about anyone.
Gassho
sat/lah

We all care, Tai Shi. You know that. I will send metta for your dad, you poor mom, the other woman, and you too, and a hope that the government will give a flying flip. Life's river is sometimes complicated and filled with eddies and sharp stones.

Gassho, J
stlah

PS - I went ahead and added a nice picture of you. A nice smile.

[Rich]

Hi Tai Shi
i will be 77 in September so I understand that the aging process can be difficult sometimes. You are a valuable contributor here and the people around you are fortunate for your presence and help. Stay positive and do what you can to help yourself and others

sat/lah

[ZenJay]

Sometimes I feel like I am impermanent and that I do not belong in this world. See, as a boy of seven my father blatently rejected our family and he went for another woman. I weptt bitterly and sometimes I feel that I don't even belong at Treeleaf Zendo because my posts are seldome answered, and Jundo does not to seem to care about me because I am old now, I am 72, and no uase to anyone, and you are right about this world, that governments could give a flying flip about anyone.
Gassho
sat/lah

Hi Tai Shi,
Love to you my brother! I absolutely think you belong at Treeleaf because you are here, and I’m so glad you are! I enjoyed talking with you briefly yesterday in the morning sitting session, and hope to hear more about your writing.

Gassho,
Jay

Sat/Lah Today

[Onki]

I feel that impermanence can be liberating and terrifying both at the same time. Liberation in a sense that we just keep on going despite what is happening. Terrifying in a sense of the fear of letting go and understanding that whatever will be will be.

Gasshō,

On

Sat today/LAH