Hello fellow Treeleafer's [emoji120][emoji4] hope you all are having a peaceful week. Sorry to run a little long here, I will try to be as concise as possible.
I have recently been struggling with how to have hope in the future while practicing Zen?
I come from a life long belief in Christianity, with the feeling that there is a guy in the clouds looking after me, and orchestrating my future path. Which naturally led to hope in my future and the feeling that things will work out, which led to a positive outlook (albeit perhaps a delusional outlook, but comforting none the less).
Since I have been practicing zazen daily, and learning about Buddhism, this belief I have held has totally fallen away. Somehow zazen practice makes it seem unnecessary, and the emotional connection I felt I had with God, is no longer there (this is a huge change for me in my life , as I've had that type of spiritual belief since childhood essentially).
In Zen it seems the only real thing is the present moment. That there is no future nor security in life because it is all transitory. We can strive for security but it's a delusion, I can hope for a good future but the future is never here. There is no comforting outlook, nothing to grasp that lasts, nothing that really matters outside of the moment.
I have been reading Pema Chodron's "When things fall apart" (not a Zen book, but super interesting) and it has been difficult to wrap my head around. She argues that hope is just as delusional as fear, and that hope takes one out of the reality of the moment and denies the truth of everything being temporary. That hope is like a drug, that perpetuates the delusion that one will always be the same/alive. She also argues that there is no solid ground in life and no security to be found (it wouldn't last anyway) and so grasping for it is futile.
I have been walking through my days, trying to be present, practicing zazen daily , but I am struggling with keeping a positive outlook. I feel as far as I can really get is just being grateful in the moment, but not really being hopeful or happy about the future as it isn't a guarantee. It feels a little dangerous not being hopeful or feeling like some supreme guide is creating a path for me and my family. I almost feel aimless in life to a certain extent.
How does hope for a good future work in Zen? Is it simply a delusion? How does one keep a positive outlook about the future? How does one be calm about their unknown future? Is there any comfort to be had about the future or is this something to let go of?
I hope this makes sense, it has been something I have been struggling with the last few weeks and any insight anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
Gassho,
John
Sat today
Sent from my PVG100 using Tapatalk
I have recently been struggling with how to have hope in the future while practicing Zen?
I come from a life long belief in Christianity, with the feeling that there is a guy in the clouds looking after me, and orchestrating my future path. Which naturally led to hope in my future and the feeling that things will work out, which led to a positive outlook (albeit perhaps a delusional outlook, but comforting none the less).
Since I have been practicing zazen daily, and learning about Buddhism, this belief I have held has totally fallen away. Somehow zazen practice makes it seem unnecessary, and the emotional connection I felt I had with God, is no longer there (this is a huge change for me in my life , as I've had that type of spiritual belief since childhood essentially).
In Zen it seems the only real thing is the present moment. That there is no future nor security in life because it is all transitory. We can strive for security but it's a delusion, I can hope for a good future but the future is never here. There is no comforting outlook, nothing to grasp that lasts, nothing that really matters outside of the moment.
I have been reading Pema Chodron's "When things fall apart" (not a Zen book, but super interesting) and it has been difficult to wrap my head around. She argues that hope is just as delusional as fear, and that hope takes one out of the reality of the moment and denies the truth of everything being temporary. That hope is like a drug, that perpetuates the delusion that one will always be the same/alive. She also argues that there is no solid ground in life and no security to be found (it wouldn't last anyway) and so grasping for it is futile.
I have been walking through my days, trying to be present, practicing zazen daily , but I am struggling with keeping a positive outlook. I feel as far as I can really get is just being grateful in the moment, but not really being hopeful or happy about the future as it isn't a guarantee. It feels a little dangerous not being hopeful or feeling like some supreme guide is creating a path for me and my family. I almost feel aimless in life to a certain extent.
How does hope for a good future work in Zen? Is it simply a delusion? How does one keep a positive outlook about the future? How does one be calm about their unknown future? Is there any comfort to be had about the future or is this something to let go of?
I hope this makes sense, it has been something I have been struggling with the last few weeks and any insight anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
Gassho,
John
Sat today
Sent from my PVG100 using Tapatalk
)
). We may lose, but taste the realm of Wholeness where nothing can be lost (nor is ever less than complete). We may be prevented from reaching goal X, but instead come to realize that ALL POINTS of Buddha Mountain are already TOTAL ARRIVAL at Buddha Mountain, whether top, bottom or middle. 
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