Zen, why bother?

[Myo-jin]

Then maybe the practice is not for you. Not everything suits everybody, and we all have our own Karma.

But if I may now use a music analogy ... the special aspect of this practice is our realization that we are not just a musician playing a song on a guitar with strings. We realize that we are also the guitar, and the vibrating stings and the music, and music and guitar is precisely who we are ... and the whole universe is a vibrating instrument ... and this is who we are too ...

... and the whole universal concert is fully embodied in every single note everywhere ... (the note or "the leaf" is not just "part" of the whole ... But rather, it --IS-- the whole in most intimate and radical meaning, and the whole is blossoming in every atom of the leaf or single note) ...

... and so we pick up our little guitar and just seek to strum with grace and in tune, as best we can. No need to be famous (as a matter of fact, Master Dogen advised against living for fame and gain.)

If someone does not realize this truth, then it is okay. Just strum for fun, be gentle, and peaceful. No harm in that.

Gassho, J
stlah

I thought that I’d understood what you were saying and wanted to express that, but apparently not. I’d be lying if I said sitting on the cushion brought such realisation except as a theoretical, such clarity of perception is rare on or off the cushion and I won’t pretend.

Still, if I’m that far from the mark then perhaps you’re right, I don’t have the karma for it.
Gassho
Myojin

[Jundo]

I thought that I’d understood what you were saying and wanted to express that, but apparently not. I’d be lying if I said sitting on the cushion brought such realisation except as a theoretical, such clarity of perception is rare on or off the cushion and I won’t pretend.

Still, if I’m that far from the mark then perhaps you’re right, I don’t have the karma for it.
Gassho
Myojin

Well, you may get it suddenly.

I think that Zazen just does stuff to the brain centers that create our sense of self identity, and which draw the hard borders between "me" and "not me." It is just having a sense, an "ear" for it, like in music. Zazen, chanting and such, is just a tool to facilitate this realization.

I do not think it the only tool, by the way. Have you read some of Onki's descriptions of his recent ketamine therapy for his ailments? It is a trip ... literally.
.

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/unsui-s-corner/544328-the-space-between-life-and-death-onki%E2%80%99s-first-ketamine-infusion

.

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/practices/unsui-s-corner/545269-back-into-the-void-onki%E2%80%99s-second-ketamine-infusion

The main reason I don't recommend such drug trips in place of our practice is because it is too much a wild missile, a jet plane without a trained and competent pilot at the wheel to keep it up and pointed in the right direction. Our Zen is a lifetime practice of bringing such wisdom and compassion to life, not a quick "seeing God." Without the surrounding lessons, philosophy, ability to control the "flaps and tail" ... excellent chance of crashing or getting lost.

A Zen Dojo is "flight school."

Gassho, J
stlah

[Hosui]

Thank you for the teaching, Jundo Thanks Myojin for offering this up.

Gassho
Hosui
sat/lah today

[Myo-jin]

... and the whole universal concert is fully embodied in every single note everywhere ... (the note or "the leaf" is not just "part" of the whole ... But rather, it --IS-- the whole in most intimate and radical meaning, and the whole is blossoming in every atom of the leaf or single note) ...

... and so we pick up our little guitar and just seek to strum with grace and in tune, as best we can. No need to be famous (as a matter of fact, Master Dogen advised against living for fame and gain.)

If someone does not realize this truth, then it is okay. Just strum for fun, be gentle, and peaceful. No harm in that.

Gassho, J
stlah

This struck a chord. I get it now.

Gassho
M.

[Seiko]

Well Myo-jin,
I am only a novice in the early years of training, so please take a pinch of salt with anything I say.

I often think of the wonderful cellist Pablo Casals. At the age of 80 he was asked why he continues to practice four or five hours a day. Casals answered: “Because I think I am making progress.”

Gasshō, Seiko, stlah

[Myo-jin]

Well Myo-jin,
I am only a novice in the early years of training, so please take a pinch of salt with anything I say.

I often think of the wonderful cellist Pablo Casals. At the age of 80 he was asked why he continues to practice four or five hours a day. Casals answered: “Because I think I am making progress.”

Gasshō, Seiko, stlah

Hi Seiko,

yes I know that quote. Pretty appropriate I’d say.

sattlah

Gassho
M.