Who I am? And so who loves?

[Guest]

Hi everybody,
The question about who I am is difficult to understand, I know about emptyness, and so on, but what would be the answer of that kind of koan?
Moreover, I was thinking about someone, and my second question is who loves if I am empty? Do I have to understant that love doesn't exist or is another kind of illusion?
Thank you for your answers about the simples buts difficults basics questions

Gassho to all

Yang Hsin

[Risho]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Hi everybody,
The question about who I am is difficult to understand, I know about emptyness, and so on, but what would be the answer of that kind of koan?
Moreover, I was thinking about someone, and my second question is who loves if I am empty? Do I have to understant that love doesn't exist or is another kind of illusion?
Thank you for your answers about the simples buts difficults basics questions

Gassho to all

Yang Hsin

Who are you? Who would know that better than you? I can't give you an answer. I think you will have find that out for yourself. Hell I don't know who I am

What do you mean when you say empty? Empty doesn't mean that we don't exist, or that a table doesn't exist or love is not real, etc. I mean if you think a table doesn't exist then try to run right through it. If you don't think that love exists, tell me if you've had a broken heart. Empty means that things are empty of a self-existence, completely independent from everything else. That's not how it is. Things exist in relationship with everything else. They are all linked.. but they are also separate. These are just words, these are things that I need to realize and you need to realize yourself. The only way to do that is to practice.

Gassho,

Risho

[Nindo]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

I am empty
I am all things
I love
all things love
everything loves everything
I breathe the love of the universe
in
and
out

[Kaishin]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Will an answer change your love?

[Omoi Otoshi]

Who I am? And so who loves?

Hi everybody,
The question about who I am is difficult to understand, I know about emptyness, and so on, but what would be the answer of that kind of koan?
Moreover, I was thinking about someone, and my second question is who loves if I am empty? Do I have to understant that love doesn't exist or is another kind of illusion?
Thank you for your answers about the simples buts difficults basics questions

Gassho to all

Yang Hsin

NO!

Love exists! You exist!
Don't get stuck in an idea of emptiness!
I really, really dislike the word emptiness... It so easily leads to nihilism. You are just not a permanent, unchanging, separate entity. Everything is interconnected, whole, interdependant, co-arising, changing, experienced in every moment.
Intellectualization about Sunyata will only lead to wrong views.
In my view, there is no answer, only understanding of reality.

/Pontus

[Jinyo]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Well said Pontus!

Yang Hsin - I recommend reading 'The Heart of Understanding' by Thich Nhat Hanh.

I feel he brings great clarity to this question.

Gassho

Willow

[Jiken]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Kannon loves if you are empty or if you are not. Have you seen Kannon?

[Jundo]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Well, as a married "Zen Monk" celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary this year, this is the Koan for me too! A good one for Valentine's Day.

Yes, "you" and "your beloved" and all things of life are (from the "Great Non-Perspective") but projections of the mind, not truly there, ... shadow puppets, not actual separate beings, kind of a dream. Basic Buddhism 101.

Now, that being said ... live your life, dream one's dream, love your love! 8)

In Buddhism, we live free of passions, emotional extremes, harmful emotions-thoughts-words-actions, not bound by attachments.

So, live and love passionately ... yet not as a prisoner of passions. Love deeply, but without falling into sick extremes. Embrace one's lover in one's arms ... but do not cling. Avoid anger, speak to each other gently. Savor each day together ... but be always ready and willing to see it end (for all things are impermanent, even timeless loves) :cry:

Not so easy sometimes ... but that's why they call it "Practice!" :wink:

And be tolerant and see beyond the imperfections of one's beloved ... the things that "drive you crazy" (Frankly, this is something my wife is expert with in dealing with me, more than the other way around! :roll: )

Yes, love is just a dream. Sometimes a painful dream. But, what a wonderful dream!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gassho, J

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

There's an old saying from an island on the west coast of Sweden,

The farmer said to the bull,
Get married and you won't be so insolent anymore! :lol:

[Kyonin]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

I am empty
I am all things
I love
all things love
everything loves everything
I breathe the love of the universe
in
and
out

Deep bows. I shall sit with this.

[Taigu]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

As you love, love.

as simple as that


gassho


T.

[Jinyu]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

As you love, love.

Priceless... :!:

Yang Hsin - I recommend reading 'The Heart of Understanding' by Thich Nhat Hanh.

QianXin, I have a French version of it at home! If you want, I can give it to you when you come to sit ...

Have a nice day everyone!

deep deep gassho,
Jinyu

[Shokai]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

And I thought it was MasterCharge that was priceless !! :lol:

[ghop]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

Emptiness is fullness.

Being empty, can you point your finger away from your self?

occasional clouds
one gets a rest
from moon-viewing
---Bassho


gassho
Greg

[Myoku]

Re: Who I am? And so who loves?

"Who am I" is a question I carry around for maybe a year or two. The funny thing is maybe, that over time the question became a fact, indeed, who am i! I think I will carry it for much longer, its a good question to ask.
And love does exist, the pure, true love is compassion, its always there, just sometimes covered in a busy mind.
_()_
Myoku