How can I know, but not KNOW?

[Kelly M.]

Lynn, I very much like your, or rather Rev. Jiyu's, analogy. To be honest though, I much prefer rocks in the raw. Tumbled ones seem too artificial. :wink:

Gassho,
KElly

[Shohei]

Late posting here but i really couldnt add to what was said already. Ive got to say i go through the same thing (usually @ work since its deadline driven and im 1 on 1 with clients or 1 on 1 with endusers) and when the dust settles im left with a twinge of shame? for the way i handled the situation. Work in progress :-]. Thanks for sharing that Kelly and everyone for thier responses, great information.

Gassho
Dirk

*Edit- nice avatar !

[Jundo]

I am wondering if the only thing that is truly asked of us regard to renunciation is that we be willing to let go everything? Is that, maybe, the core of the teaching? If we live with a willing heart does that allow for both the ideal and the actual to exist without duality?

I need to go scrub my toilet now. :P

I think we have to work at renunciation, not just be willing to renounce, if that means dropping thoughts, feelings, wishes, dreams, hopes, likes, dislikes, our sense of separate self.

That being said, in Shikantaza, we work at dropping these things by goalless Zazen ... simply doing nothing, seeking no target, just sitting ... thus, thoughts, feelings, wishes, dreams, hopes, likes, dislikes, self etc. all simply drop away by being ignored. (It is much like saying that "x" is a problem for you only so long as your brain is filled with thoughts of "x" or thoughts that "x is a problem". Yet, when you simply do nothing, do not think of "x" and thus ignore x, then the problem vanishes of its own weight). However, "not thinking" about something, and goalless sitting, actually takes some effort and practice (the effort of learning to make no effort). We have to work at it, and we can eventually succeed at it ... all by dropping effort and all thought of success.

Furthermore, as I said on the blog, this is only one side of the coin ... and on the other, thoughts, feelings, wishes, dreams, hopes, likes, dislikes, our sense of separate self will all remain.

We truly are living two separate, often contradictory and conflicting, perspectives and philosophies at once, like various sides of a single coin (or a single train on two tracks, heading two different directions, at once).

Cleaning the toilet is a perfect example. The job is helped so much by dropping all thought of clean or dirty as we clean, and when we just do the job in order to do it mindfully. However, learning that non-effort takes some effort, and part of the brain will continue to resist the dirty job. I think.

Gassho, Jundo

[will]

Kelly. Your looking a little yellow. You ok?

G,W

[Kelly M.]

Kelly. Your looking a little yellow. You ok?

G,W

What is yellow? Haha :wink:



But seriously, the doctor said it should clear up in a few days.



Thanks for the concern Will,
Cheers,
Kelly