The science of zen

[HAN SEN]

And i sat today.

[Jundo]

Let me underline ...

This Practice has worked in my life for 30 years, allowing me to find a home in this life through all the ups and downs, losses and gains, birth and death, sickness and health and all the rest.

This Practice has brought Peace and Joy to my heart ... including being At Peace and Joyous Contentment with not always being (small p) peaceful and (small h) happy happy all the time, for life is sometimes anything but peaceful and has its sad times too, and that's ok.

This Practice has allowed me to see ways to moderate my excess desires, let go of anger, encounter this world seeing beyond its divisions and frustrations, all in flowing with the Flowing Wholeness where nothing is needed or lacking, and which flows on as this little world of the coming and going of separate things.

This Practice has taught me how to push ahead with goals and duties and jobs to do in this world of so many responsibilities as father, husband, worker and friend, as well as citizen trying to make this world a bit better, all while simultaneously knowing that there is never anything in need of achieving, no hole in need of filling, nothing broken to fix from the startless start.

I know, because of what I know in my own life and heart, like one knows the sweetness of sugar on one's own tongue, like one knows the love of a child although it cannot easily be measured. I know by how I experience life and its constant trials and triumphs, smiles and tears.

But ... I don't know if it helps prevent baldness (not as I watch myself age in the mirror, although it sure has helped make beautiful the aging itself).

I don't know if it has helped lower my cholesterol (I have a little pill for that, although Zen lessons on lifestyle, healthy living and moderation sure can't hurt).

I don't know if it helps me be more efficient in the office ... although it lets me know on the spot that there is no place to go, and to be At Home right here, even with countless places to go and people to see and holes to fill.

I don't know if it helps my marriage ... except I am pretty sure it does, given how I react now to the strains of being a husband and father, compared to how I am tempted to react.

I don't know if it reduces stress or aid depressions ... Actually I DO know that it reduces stress, because I can compare myself now to the depressed, stressed out, lost guy I was 30 years ago (And, anyway, if someone has depression mental and medical counseling can and should go hand in hand too).

I don't know (and I am pretty sure) that it will not fix all the problems of this world ... but it helps fix many of them, brings Compassion and Loving Kindness into my heart to try to help others, and to work to make this planet better as we can (in fact, I believe that many of the values of Buddhism will help us get past the greed and violence and division that often plagues our world now).

I don't know ... but that is so often a doorway in this Practice, as we clear out from the head all the subjective judgments and momentary doubts and partial ideas that actually hide a kind of Big K Knowing, uncovering that Flowing Wholeness which flows right through all our aversions and attractions, names and categories, past present future.

That is all I know.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Meishin]

Gassho
Meishin
Sat today lah

[Troy]

The science of zen

I do find the science interesting. Perhaps better studies are needed, but its a start. The Buddha himself (badly paraphrasing) said don’t take my word for it but experience it for yourself and decide. I can say it has definitely helped me in my life and I can see it has helped others in their life. That is all I really need to know.


Sat2day

[Ishin]

And remember folks he's not just the president he's also a member!
Hair-club.jpg

Gassho
Ishin
Sat Today