The Cult of Self

[Heisoku]

Hi, yes Alex this is an interesting topic.
My thoughts are that this 'positive self-reflective' mindfulness seems to generate a tension with actually realising Buddhadharma for yourself. My observations are that the medium of Twitter and Facebook naturally generate soundbite-like quotes, which diminish any observation an/or realisation and create the impression of dumbing-down or commercialisation. The habit then is for others to sustain this model of expression.
Just a reminder from the ParaNirvana Sutra: one of the 8 awakenings described by Buddha before he parted was,' Not to neglect mindfulness'. Perhaps we are not neglecting mindfulness, but taking it out of context with the other 7? Which are; have few desires, know how much is enough, enjoy serenity, make diligent effort, (not to neglect mindfulness), practice meditation, cultivate wisdom and not to engage in hollow discussions. Dogen discusses this in Shobogenzo Fascicle 84, The 8 awakenings.
Enjoy your serenity!
Gassho.

[Heion]

Interesting topic,
At least this is better than the official 'Buddhism' page! They post pictures of bodhisattva and of buddhas asking for likes in their honor. As Hans said, I believe this is what is going on at this page. I remember listening to a teaching by Sylvia Boorstein and saying that the people who need to most compassion sometimes are ourselves, since we can be so self disparaging.

Gassho,
Alex

[Bunny]

Thank you Hans for the reminder on posting etiquette. It does go a long way-I see that now that it's been pointed out. I will make a greater effort to be aware of what I do with words in our forum.
Gassho
Bunny

Hello everyone,

I too have seen this kind of "mass quoting" on Facebook and I truly wonder the authenticity of the message(s). I believe it is very important to help and support everyone in the best ways we can, but we cannot forget to care for ourselves.

Gassho
Shingen

[Myoku]

Hello Myozan and fellow leafers,
I dont know this posts first hand. To be honest, I think they are helpful. If someone asked me at the beginning of my "zen life" if i'ld like to leave myself behind and live for others I would have turned right away. People struggle with life, thats why they seek for relief. If you offer something to comfort them, you can pick them up right where they are. Moreover, there are many many people (sometimes including me) which are hardest to themselve. To open for the teaching you need to open yourself to yourself, be kind and gentle to yourself. To sum up, what Myozan is quoting might not be the full teaching, but loving oneself is very helpful (again the right amount is what makes all the difference). All my much biased view
Gassho
Myoku

[Hans]

Hello,

just a little reminder to point to the fact that a little "Hi" or "Hello" at the beginning of a post and a quick but heartfelt "Gassho" or "Kind regards" at the end of a post can go a long way towards creating and maintaining a good respectful mood, since we are not a Buddhist discussion forum, but a real Sangha where discussions can happen too.

Gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Tiwala]

Hi,
I don't personally like his style, but he's produced Cheri Maples, who seems like a cool teacher. Very sober, realistic, honest. I guess it works for some people. The world is full of different styles and none of them are perfect.

I have nothing but respect for the man, though. I mean he's been through a lot and to think he managed to keep a sane mind despite all that is pretty laudable.

Gassho,
Ben

[Kyonin]

Hi,

Yes, I think the mindfulness movement is all about feeling good for you and yourself only. I have almost never found any reference to charity or compassion on the mindfulness material I have read.

Master TNH is great, but I do agree. His quotes are posted by others and almost always out of context, resulting in selfish messages.

But I could be wrong, of course.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Ryumon]

I've always felt that his approach was infused with a certain flavor of motivational stuff like that. I bet many of his books back in the day, and a lot of them came through as sugarcoated.


(Posted from my iPhone; please excuse any typos or brevity.)

[Tiwala]

Hi,

What page is this from? I wanna see it for myself

Gassho,
Ben

[Hans]

Hello Myozan,

my guess is that he isn't writing his own texts all of the time and that he trusts his senior students to run most of the day to day teachings.

Who it is that should forgive a non-ultimately existent self is a funny avenue for further enquiry.

The thing is that so many people have massive issues with themselves, so much that it might actually make sense to some teachers to "repair" and strenghten their egos, before they are ready to actually start with the real dharma part.

You need a healthy and balanced sense of self, before you can safely proceed to demolish the self-floor we are basing our lives on.


Gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi all,
On Facebook I follow a feed from disciples of Thich Nhat Hanh. Everyday they post messages like "Make Time For Yourself; You Are Important" and "Forgive Yourself". So many of the quotes are self-obsessed. Is this Mindfulness movement appealing to a "Me" generation that amounts to a selfish and egotistical approach to the Dharma? Indeed, is it the Dharma stripped of Dharma?

As much as Thich Nhat Hanh is himself an authentic teacher and a man of the way.

Gassho
Myozan