Sharing a "Zen" talk that doesn't mention Zen at all!

[Rad_Ahemn]

Hello there,

I was pondering on and around Shōbōgenzō: Raihai-tokuzui (Prostrating to the Marrow of Attainment) when I stumbled onto an oddly related TED talk.

The talk is wonderfully warm, interesting and humorous, as good TED talks can be.

The direct links are the themes of "marrow", the place of maternity in the world and the long search and deep respect for truth in whatever form it takes.

It also touches on the general Zen sense of authenticity, not necessarily turning away from our pain in addition to a general sense of time "outside" of our regular hamster-wheel life.


To me, in this moment - It is one of the best Zen talks not to mention Zen (or Buddhism) at all!


As an example:
"You don't have to wait for a life-or-death situation to clean up the relationships that matter to you," she says. "Be like a new kind of first responder ... the one to take the first courageous step toward the other."

I hope you enjoy.


And ... what are some other videos that capture "Zen" while not mentioning it at all?


I look forward to finding out!

Thanks,
Adam

(sat today)

[Jundo]

Thank you, Adam. A lovely, Wise Talk.

In Buddhism, we don't speak of "soul" so much, but we see each person as their own shining jewel (flaws and all), each and all facets of the Great Jewel.

I also learned the power of openning to the pain during my surgery last year.

This was a lovely lesson in putting the past behind and dropping imagined emotions, and moving on in a relationship.

Gassho J

SattodayLah

[Jundo]

PS - Every single video or book ever made, and silence too, capture Zen to the ear that can hear.

[Rad_Ahemn]

PS - Every single video or book ever made, and silence too, capture Zen to the ear that can hear.

But of course Jundo!

I've heard it said that "everything worth saying can be said in silence - and everything else is a poor translation" as well as "all words are lies, some are just more useful than others"!

Still, occasionally, there is something soo close to the "standard" Dharma (sermons, metaphor, traditional teachings and the like - I like to think of this stuff as "Dharma adjacent"!) that with only a small modification - usually perspective or point of view - it touches the much deeper truth hiding under the surface of all existence.

While it's true that these things are not particularly special or rare - noticing them is. (Or at least still is for me!) So I'm asking for those that others have noticed to help me see the truth right in front of me that's all as plain as my own nose!


Thank you again kind Jundo,

Gassho,
Adam

(sat today)

[Kokuu]

Thank you, Adam. I have set that aside to watch later. There are some jewels in the TED talks and it is great when someone recommends one they have enjoyed.

Raihai-tokuzui (Prostrating to the Marrow of Attainment) is a great fascicle. There is a lovely book I would recommend if you are interested called Receiving the Marrow which is a collection of short commentaries on Dogen's writings by contemporary female teachers. It includes that fascicle but is wonderful all round in my opinion.

That said, I am only a novice priest and you might want to check with Jundo that it is as worthwhile as I think it is.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Jakuden]

Wonderful, thank you Adam!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH