Feeling more, not less

[Myosha]

Metta for all.

Not two but one.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Amelia]

Metta offered for one is always offered for all.

[Jundo]

Yes, this way Open the Heart. Kannon is that which hears the cries of all Suffering in the World, responding with Hands of Compassion ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/sit-a-long/with-jundo-and-taigu/archives/2011/04/whattsa-whosa-bodhisattva---avalokiteshvara-kannon.html

This Way allows Equanimity and radical Acceptance and Allowing ... yet is never an either/or proposition. Some people confuse "non-attachment" with being "detached". One can simultaneously know the broken heart AND the Heart of Wisdom which can never be broken.

I often say that Buddhism (especially in its Mahayana flavors) is not about being passionless, cold, disengaged and detached from life. Rather, it is more like knowing "passionate-equanimity", "cool-heat" "engaged and active stillness" "joy & peace even as the tears flow" and "freedom from attachment right in our attachments".

The best of both worlds, as one world.

Gassho, J

[Joyo]

Jundo, would you say the "passionate-equanimity" and "freedom from attachment right in our attachments" is Kanon then? The reason I ask is that, ever since I was a child, when I hear of terrible suffering, it's as if I take it on myself, feel their pain and suffering, to the point where it causes me tremendous suffering.

And, much metta to all those involved in this very sad tragedy.

Gassho,
Joyo

[Jundo]

Hi Joyo,

I believe that Kannon is Concern and Compassion AND the Peace and Equanimity of Buddha at once. This is why, in the Heart Sutra, it is Kannon (Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva) who is practicing the "Perfection of Wisdom" and thus "realized the emptiness of all five conditions and was freed of suffering."

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7032-Weekly-Monthly-Zazenkai-Chant-Book-is-Here

And likewise for any social worker, nurse, addictions counselor, foreign aid worker, parent of teenagers or school teacher and the like. I have seen more than one such person get so lost in the suffering and seeming impossibility of "rescuing all the Sentient Beings" that they drown, burn out, give up. Or, they grow callus, cold, jaded in order to keep working.

I do not believe either extreme is the best course to (as in our Four Vows), "save all sentient beings, though beings numberless ... transform all delusions, though delusions inexhaustible."

We rescue the suffering folks all while knowing there are no "separate folks" in need of rescue, no hole to fill in the Empty Whole. There is no job to do from the start and no goal ... yet we do it with sincerity and energy ... and do it with dedication, even though the goal may be impossible!

Through this Way, one comes to see the world as if one way through the left eye, one way through the right eye ... both together the Buddha Eye.

Thus, I preach ... "passionate-equanimity", "cool-heat" "engaged and active stillness" "joy & peace even as the tears flow" and "freedom from attachment right in our attachments".

Gassho, J

[Joyo]

Thank you very much, Jundo. That is very helpful. I've found with working in the schools, working with kids that come from not the best of home lives, has actually helped me to develop seeing the world through both eyes, thus the Buddha eye.

Gassho,
Joyo

[Heion]

Thanks to all for sharing. I guess one of the big things for me when observing scenarios like that is the thought 'that could be me'.

On one side, one can view it as a practice of compassion. But, in my humble opinion, one may also view it as a way to be grateful for where we are now (finding joy in my sorrows is something I've been big on recently). Of course, we should still try to help them too.

It is funny that some of the most selfless acts have the biggest impacts on making us feel happier

Gassho,
Heion

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[Heisoku]

Thus, I preach ... "passionate-equanimity", "cool-heat" "engaged and active stillness" "joy & peace even as the tears flow" and "freedom from attachment right in our attachments".

Thank you Jundo

Gassho. Heisoku

[Ongen]

Hi Daizan,

I recognise that too, I feel it does have to do with the practise. Great, isn't it!

Sometimes I think my wife and kids think I go insane when my reaction to something happy or funny or sad is more intense that way, but I feel it also gets a lot easier to translate to them why and what's happening.

My eldest son (11) just asked the other day if he could have his own zafu so he could meditate and experience the world without these layers of thoughts too

Without these layers everything is quite simple!

Gassho

Vincent




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Meishin]

Hello,

Thank you all for your teachings. It is sometimes difficult to see from the right and the left eye. This is a beautiful poem that helps.

http://www.quietspaces.com/poemHanh.html

Gassho,
John

[Byokan]

I have these feelings as well. I have a little practice that cultivates it, in fact. I read about this somewhere, a million years ago, don’t remember where. It's become a habit. When I see someone and feel resistance, I say to myself, “this too is me”.

Someone does something terrible? This too is me. Dirty stinky drunken homeless guy standing too close? This too is me. Whiny four-year-old driving you crazy? This too is me. Uncle Joe spouting ignorant and offensive nonsense at the family BBQ? This too is me. Victims? Perpetrators? Anyone who suffers -- this too is me.


Likewise, it goes the other way too. Happy bride in the park? This too is me. Your favorite athlete scoring the goal? Me. That person you so admire? Hey, that’s me too.


Of course there is no “me.” Practice develops the larger context that Daizan spoke of, so you can feel this oneness without getting lost, caught up, or losing the center. It’s the bigger context that allows you to feel these things deeply, and then act with compassion.

Gassho
Lisa

[Amelia]

Gassho, Lisa