Chasing

[Jundo]

Re: Chasing

... In my life I have set my goals high and often achieved them. Were they the right ones? Were they empty? Deluded? I don't know, but when I look back I'm glad I set those goals, worked hard, experienced those paths, with their moments of joy and disappointment. If I had not, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I might have been a better person, who knows? But, at least to some degree, I have accepted who I am. For me Zen is about acceptance, but not becoming passive, stopping to do things, leaving things as they are, but instead accepting the way things are in this moment, while at the same time trying to live my life in its purest sense, freeing myself from my thoughts in the midst of my thoughts, opening my eyes to the world, experiencing the wonders of existance, choosing my own path, doing, being, forever striving, forever chasing and forever setting goals, but the right ones, for the right reasons and with the right mind, the Bodhi mind.

/Pontus

Hi Pontus,

I feel that this point is very important.

Buddhist Practice and the Precepts teach us that not all goals are cut of the same cloth. We should avoid goals driven by simple greed (excessive desire), anger, ignorance ... including jealousy, the need to prove our status or fueled by excess clutching. Learning to play the violin to make beautiful music or desiring to attain a medical degree to help folks and put needed food on the table is one thing ... desiring to play the violin in order to receive public applause and adulation. or to attain a medical degree in order to buy a Mercedes and golf club membership in order to impress the world (as well as one's siblings and oneself) with your permanency and importance ... not the same.

Also, we may have goals ... and hold them passionately and strive hard ... but at the same time not be attached in the least and free of those same passions. Both, simultaneously. We should be committed and dedicated keeping them firmly in hand and eye, but be willing to let go. (It is much as we embrace the people we love in our life passionately and firmly with love and caring ... yet are willing to let go, free of the passions and holding lightly). All as One, at Once. As Taigu's message shows, all is impermanent, and any of it can be pulled from one at any time ... and even the world itself is just passing sand through the hour glass.

We can be attached to our goals AND free of all attachment simultaneously ... as Once, as One. This is a lesson of Shikantaza ... a good, balanced, healthy way to live moving forward while allowing all.

Gassho, J

[michaeljc]

Re: Chasing

Fulfilling my talents and destiny has always been the spice of life for me. I love projects, especially those that involve designing and building things. I have pretty much finished the wooden hull of a model boat. I drew up on a computer scaled plans from the lines of an actual craft. I guess I would have spent aound300 hours on it by now. Some friends and I built a full sized hull of a novel boat which we now have patented. A while back I spent around $2000 on a CAD program. Over former weeks I have been drawing up components in 3D and rendering. What wonderful fun! Scientific research has also held a special place. I do not feel a conflict with my practice. They are one.
cheers
m

[disastermouse]

Re: Chasing

"What I call liberation, the world calls resignation." - Some Smart Old Guy (Siddhartha)

I really relate to your post, Alan.

[Jiken]

Re: Chasing

Yeah Alan great post. I learned from your comments and from those posted by others

[Omoi Otoshi]

Chasing

No self pity, no real worry, even a bit of an excitement to have to dive into something I don t know.

Taigu, like the wind bell
Hanging in space
Not caring which way the wind blows
east, west, south or north
All day long he speaks
of Prajna Paramita for everyone

You will always have your Sangha, your needle and thread, your Kesa, your hat and your bowl. You will always be Taigu and you will always be spreading the Dharma. I'm not worried.

Sometimes, you can almost feel the wheel turning, can't you? I almost envy you.

Take care,
Pontus

[Yugen]

Re: Chasing

Just as polishing a roofing tile will not make a mirror
Sitting zazen will not a buddha make
We sit without destination
Without knowing where to go
We sit
Great faith, great doubt

Thank you all for this post, and the opportunity to consider the goalless practice....

Gassho,
Yugen

[AlanLa]

Re: Chasing

Goals are not a source of dukka in themselves, as has been aptly explained. Rather, it is how we relate to goals. To chase after them, meaning being ignorant and separate from them, is not so good. To be still with goals, meaning being mindful and diligent in our approach to them, is being on the Path. Still, you need to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

[Omoi Otoshi]

Chasing

Yes, agreed. Chasing, but the way the river chases the sea. And not chasing our own tail in a daydream of suffering.