Course correction

[Jinho]

Re: Course correction

"really and truly want something" and don't act in a way to get or be that thing.

Our wants are automatically ordered in some type of priority. The items at the top of the priority list get taken care of. If there is a want that is not happening, then the next step is to see what issues or things are actually happening, to get a feel for where on the priority list the perceived, non-happening want lies.

Passion is useful at times, but it is also another version of 'attachment' to something.
G, Ann

Hi Ann,

I loved your writing in this post and your previous post on this topic. And I can absolutely relate to the "priority list" you mention.

But I am concerned about your comment about passion since I have encountered an attitude that having any opinion or emotion gets demonized (or pejoratized) as "attachment". I think buddhist "attachment" involves delusion, the delusion that because I want something or care about something I HAVE to have it, or things MUST be a certain way in my life. And I believe that singleminded passion can be a wonderful thing - it has resulted in great art, music, great changes in life (I am sure that both Gandhi and Martin Luther King lived lives of great passion).

And I suppose I am concerned that you apologize about your posts (or how many of them there are). Perhaps I am projecting my own instinct to apologize for my existence and for everything I do.

thank you for your time,
rowan

[Jinho]

Re: Course correction

What do you guys all do when you find yourself drifting away from a life that centers around your values? How do you get back on track?

Chet

Hi Chet (or do you prefer "Mouse", I forget),

I can SOOOOOOOOOO relate to this problem. For me, I remind myself that it is all about choice, every (well, many) moments are about choice - I choose to do one thing and therefore not do something else. So if I want to make art, I must choose to get my butt on the stool at my art table. I must make time for it, even though my first inclination is to run off to clean someone's house or go shopping. So I guess that is my best advice to you, bite the bullet and get your butt on the zafu, (or whatever it is that you have decided is probably the most constructive thing for you to do). And the experience is NOT one of following one's innermost instincts since, many times my instincts are not in my best interest (make that MOST times). And making the action is not easy, I don't know that there are any words to make it easy, it takes great courage and great determination, but it can be done, moment by moment. And just living in this moment, just for today, just for this half-hour, I will sit zazen, or whatever it is that you need to do for your life. There is only this moment.

thank you for your time,
rowan
who really must make more effort to live the above advice

[disastermouse]

Re: Course correction

What do you guys all do when you find yourself drifting away from a life that centers around your values? How do you get back on track?

Chet

Hi Chet (or do you prefer "Mouse", I forget),

I can SOOOOOOOOOO relate to this problem. For me, I remind myself that it is all about choice, every (well, many) moments are about choice - I choose to do one thing and therefore not do something else. So if I want to make art, I must choose to get my butt on the stool at my art table. I must make time for it, even though my first inclination is to run off to clean someone's house or go shopping. So I guess that is my best advice to you, bite the bullet and get your butt on the zafu, (or whatever it is that you have decided is probably the most constructive thing for you to do). And the experience is NOT one of following one's innermost instincts since, many times my instincts are not in my best interest (make that MOST times). And making the action is not easy, I don't know that there are any words to make it easy, it takes great courage and great determination, but it can be done, moment by moment. And just living in this moment, just for today, just for this half-hour, I will sit zazen, or whatever it is that you need to do for your life. There is only this moment.

thank you for your time,
rowan
who really must make more effort to live the above advice

Thank you! Yes, that helps.

[Jinho]

Re: Course correction

Yes, but then we must come off the Zafu, back into a world where we must have values, make choices, lead our lives.

Gassho, Jundo

Hi Jundo,

Thank you soooooooo much for saying this. A reminder that we HAVE to do something, since we are always doing Something. And it is important for me to remember that making a conscious decision, for me, is usually the best decision, since my subconscious tends to not necessarily make the best choices.

gassho,
rowan
who hopes to get well soon so grammar comes a little easier......

[Jundo]

Re: Course correction

But I am concerned about your comment about passion since I have encountered an attitude that having any opinion or emotion gets demonized (or pejoratized) as "attachment". I think buddhist "attachment" involves delusion, the delusion that because I want something or care about something I HAVE to have it, or things MUST be a certain way in my life. And I believe that singleminded passion can be a wonderful thing - it has resulted in great art, music, great changes in life (I am sure that both Gandhi and Martin Luther King lived lives of great passion).

Hi Rowan,

I agree. Buddhism, through a Mahayana Zen Buddhist lens, is not opposed to desires, emotions and passions in and of themselves (some schools of Buddhism of the Theravada are). In our view, only harmful desires/emotions/passions, in excess, are the problem ... greed, anger and the like. Even a simple "passion for ice cream" is a problem in excess ... if one gourges oneself, for example.

Folks like Dogen Zenji (and Jundo Cohen!!) were/are very passionate folks about subjects that trip their trigger! Many Zen teachers are, and can be very emotional too ... filled with joy and tears. It is only when we become trapped by our passions and emotions, attached to these or unable to retain our balance when we wish, that there is a problem ... or when the emotions result in harm (as hate and anger almost always do. See Harry's blog about that!).

Gassho, Jundo

[Jinho]

Re: Course correction

Even a simple "passion for ice cream" is a problem in excess ... if one gouges themself.

Gassho, Jundo

Now Jundo! You know I warned you about those stainless steel sugar cones!

g,
r

[John]

Re: Course correction

Good quote, John (...for a proddy Budhhist! :P )

Yeah - I'm a bible thumper from way back

John

[Dainin]

Re: Course correction

The only thing I can think of is that an intent to act in a particular way is subtly different from saying "I am a good person" and then having discomfort later by having to ask "why did I just do a bad thing?"

Hey Bill,

Thank you. Yes, I agree. It reminds me of the Romans quote that John posted. Thanks for that John. I was actually thinking of that exact passage when I wrote my first post.

There's a lot of "meat" in this thread and I appreciate everyone's perspectives. Thanks all.

Best,
Keith

[Gregor]

Re: Course correction

Hey Chet,

I seriously struggle with this one too. Overall, I thinks its okay. At least we are not oblivious to what our values are but reconciling them with our actions is a tough nut to crack at times.

Personally, I get a great deal of comfort and encouragement from the old zen proverb that goes, "Fall down seven times, get up eight."

Just keep plugging away at it -- Right Effort!! Nothing is automatic about this life and walking the Eightfold Path surely requires some work.

Gassho,

Greg

[Jinho]

Re: Course correction

Thank you! Yes, that helps.

So maybe we can get off our butts to get on our butts together !

I will be thinking of you from slightly to the south, slightly to the east (Hayward).

Enjoy some fog for me!

rowan