There is No-Self ... or is there?

[Jinyo]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

That there is an underlying sense of grace to our lives

thank you Greg - my thought for today


Gassho


Willow

[andyZ]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Sometimes around here, if someone asks questions just looking for confirmation of their pre-formed and not so fleshed-out opinions ... they get more questions.

Thank you, Jundo. A good reminder.

[Omoi Otoshi]

There is No-Self ... or is there?

Nice one Greg!

[Amelia]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

If understanding Buddhist philosophy leads one to let go of thinking that would be nice.

_/_

If there were no chocolate ice cream, could we still have sundaes?

... :| Yes.

[Kaishin]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Well said, Greg. Also reminds me of what that wise young fellow, Seiryu said, you can figure out some things in life, but not life itself!

[Jundo]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Well said, Greg. Also reminds me of what that wise young fellow, Seiryu said, you can figure out some things in life, but not life itself!

Someone (perhaps a dream) asked me (perhaps a dream too) recently (in time, maybe also the dream) if Zen Practice would lead to their complete and ultimate understanding of the universe, who they are and the meaning of life. I said that, while what we call "Zen Practice" helps us see and understand some very vital things about the world and about ourselves that we had not understood ... no, it will not clear up so many questions and mysteries.

So, then the person asked if, despite Zen Practice, ignorance would remain of so many questions and mysteries. Would there be no answer, clarity and resolution to those, would mysteries remain unknowable and obscure? I assured them that such was not the case either. :shock: Far from it!

For this Practice allows one to Non-Understand this Universe-Non-Universe, and all things and beyond, and to Non-Attain the 'Meaning of Life-Non-Life' Completely and Ultimately. No Question remains, only a crystal clear and satisfying Non-Question. Such Non-Understanding is far far from ignorance and a lack of understanding, but rather 'tis a kind of Understanding Beyond and Through-And-Through Understanding. Hard to put in words in fact. This is realized thoroughly, and also made real in how one lives one's life (dreamy or not).

Perhaps one has to be walking this Path for awhile to start to get what is meant when Zen folks speak of stuff like "Non-Understanding" "Non-Thinking" "Goalless Goals" the "Pathless Path" "Gateless Gate" and the like. So, it may be a little confusing to newer folks (many older folks too sometimes). However, stick with it ... and you'll (dream or not) eventually get the "Non-Hang of Non-Things".

Something like that.

Gassho, J

Ps - So they are not missed, I would like to highlight two seemingly contradictory views that Greg said in his post ... but they are not contraditions in the Way at all. They are, in fact, "Non-Doing, Non-Achieving" ...

To be unfailingly human, so-called flaws and all. And be ok with that. ... To change what we can change.

To Be Buddha All Along, To Be A Flawed Being Striving To Be Buddha.

[Run_CMD]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Understanding the universe


What did it for me, was when I was told :

The more you reach for the horizon, the further it will go away from you

In the past, we thought we were living on a flat pancake. The more we got to know about the universe, the bigger and more complex it became. This will never end. The more we know, the bigger and more complex the universe will get. For each answer you get, you get 10 more questions. Never will there be any moment that we can say : now we know everything about the universe, there's nothing more to understand, we have a complete understanding of the universe.

Trying to understand is utterly futile. It's not going to save your Self from suffering.

[Rich]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Accepting not knowing even for a moment is enough but as Taigu says it doesn't free you from the scenery of pain, sorrrow and suffering. But these things move on like everything else and what is left? What is this? is the investigation of this moment. Sorry, I don't understand anything but always seem to say something about everything. :roll:

[Shokai]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Rich wrote;

What is this? is the investigation of this moment.

The more I ponder the more I wander. :shock: :roll:
Seems (to me :?: ) awareness of the moment is more important than whether I am me or this is that.
While someone sits before the wall, non-time still happens.
Breath by breath, moment by moment; whoever you is has no meaning.
It is still dying; yet, it lives on regardless.
Is it not better to help some one who needs help? to reach out and comfort some one in pain and suffering?
Do what you can to make this a happier place to suffer in?

Peace has a great deal to do with warm-heartedness and respect for the lives of others, avoiding doing them harm and regarding their lives as being as precious as our own.
Dalai Lama

[ghop]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

In the past, we thought we were living on a flat pancake.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I just like the way this sounds.

gassho
Greg

[Rich]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Shokai, I think helping is the natural state and manifested as action. That's why my dog will be 18. :lol:

[Shokai]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Rich wrote;

I think helping is the natural state and manifested as action. That's why my dog will be 18. :lol:

Can he still get up on the bed? Mine is 12yrs and Is now unable; does that infer that we didn't help him? I think not, he's the biggest suck I've ever known :lol:
However, truer words were never spoken, helping is compassion and even though we fight and squabble, we do manage to help each other in spite of ourselves. Humankind couldn't have survived otherwise.

[Rich]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Rich wrote;

I think helping is the natural state and manifested as action. That's why my dog will be 18. :lol:

Can he still get up on the bed? Mine is 12yrs and Is now unable; does that infer that we didn't help him? I think not, he's the biggest suck I've ever known :lol:
However, truer words were never spoken, helping is compassion and even though we fight and squabble, we do manage to help each other in spite of ourselves. Humankind couldn't have survived otherwise.

Actually its my dog that is the best helper and is full of love and compassion. When I asked him if a dog has Buddha nature he answered immediately.

[Jinyo]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Shokai wrote

The more I ponder the more I wander. :shock: :roll:

Rich wrote

Sorry, I don't understand anything but always seem to say something about everything. :roll:

I would love to spend an evening with both of you - your comments ( which are the hallmark of years of experience 8) ) make me
I hope I get there someday - chilled out wisdom.

... and the picture of the little dog eyeing the sprinklers cup cake was my happy medicine for today . Thank you!

Gassho

Willow

[Rich]

Re: There is No-Self ... or is there?

Thanks willow. You are very kind. The only wisdom I might have is that I try to practice with beginners mind. Take care.