How soon is too soon?

[RichardH]

Another part of it might be (and this is a little embarrassing) it might just have to do with the romanticism we in the west have for "Eastern" things. The idea of Zen was just so COOL that I WANTED to do it right. Which as Taigu has pointed out, is not so good for practice. I know this now, but it might have had something to do with my laser focus at the beginning. I noticed myself doing the same thing when I started learning Kung Fu as well.

I know exactly what you mean. I am always hesistant to tell someone from the west (I live in Canada) that I practice Zen Buddhism because it sounds like I"m must following the trend and trying to be cool. Which, of course, is not true at all. In fact, I credit Zen to saving my life in so many ways.

Hi Emmy. It is actually an interesting thing. Zen is very cool as far as popular perception goes. Just look at the use of "Zen" in high end spa advertising. Zen is also the coolest in terms of look. It looks great with that fine minimalism. Theravada Buddhism is frumpy, and Tibetan Buddhism is very baroque (the opposite of simple looking). Yet if you go to a Zen centre near where you live.. pretty much any one, you'll see that the pop appeal of Zen is very limited, and that very few people practice. The exotic or glamorous quality of Zen does not survive the cushion for long. It is "disappointing".



Gassho Daizan

[Joyo]

Hi Emmy. It is actually an interesting thing. Zen is very cool as far as popular perception goes. Just look at the use of "Zen" in high end spa advertising. Zen is also the coolest in terms of look. It looks great with that fine minimalism. Theravada Buddhism is frumpy, and Tibetan Buddhism is very baroque (the opposite of simple looking). Yet if you go to a Zen centre near where you live.. pretty much any one, you'll see that the pop appeal of Zen is very limited, and that very few people practice. The exotic or glamorous quality of Zen does not survive the cushion for long. It is "disappointing".


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Gassho Daizan

Yes, I agree it won't last long if you are attracting to Zen for being cool. I've never been very cool anyway, in high school, or out in the real world. I would very much like to go to a Zen Centre, unfortunately I live far away from one. When my children are older, I do plan on visiting one. I have also found that there is really nothing glamorous about real Zen, it's just living in the moment, lots of sitting. And for me, personally, I find my Zen practice gives me very little, if anytime for pop culture stuff like music, tv, and movies. When my children are (finally) asleep, I'd rather be sitting, than doing anything else. NOw, that is not cool but it is better.