Where did it all go...?

[dharmasponge]

Where did it all go...?

This is true. It's a time to recapitulate and look at what I am doing in my practice. Currently I am very aware of how much ego is subtly involved with why I chose 'Zen' as a path. I could be satisfying my ego rather than seeing through it.


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Take it slow Tony, day by day. An interesting opportunity to see where your mind goes in this time.

Deep bows
Yugen


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[dharmasponge]

Thanks for your encouragement. Not really serious in the grand scheme of things - though I am sore as hell 😱 . Quite an experience and has set off my analytical mind on a right one now.

Laid Down Today!

[Sekishi]

Radio waves permeate our bodies, and indeed the whole universe. Without them a radio is silent. But without a radio, we cannot perceive them. Perhaps mind and brain are similar. Radio waves and radios and ears and brains all seem to be required.

I knew I heard this as an allegory somewhere before, but I could not remember where from. It popped into my head during Zazen tonight (thanks brain). It is from "No Death, No Fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh:

(But) our true nature is the nature of no coming, no going. We have not come from anywhere, we shall not go anywhere. When conditions are sufficient, we manifest. When conditions are no longer sufficient, we no longer manifest. It does not mean that we do not exist. Like radio waves without a radio, we do not manifest.

It also brings to mind a lovely poem by the Zen scoundrel Ikkyu (from the 1400's):

Break open a cherry tree and there are no flowers,
but the spring breeze brings forth myriad blossoms.

Deviating from the original point a bit, the above also both bring to mind a Koan Dogen discussed in Genjo Koan:

Zen master Pao-ch'ih was fanning himself one summer day when a passing priest asked: "The nature of wind is stationary, and it is universally present. Why do you then use your fan, sir?" The Zen master replied: "Though you know the nature of wind is stationary, you do not know why it is universally present." The priest asked, "Why then is the wind universally present?" The master only fanned himself, and the priest saluted him. Enlightenment through true experience and the vital way of right transmission are like this. Those who deny the need for fanning because the nature of wind is stationary and be cause the wind is sensed without the use of a fan understand neither the eternal presence of the wind nor its nature. Because the nature of wind is eternally present, the wind of Buddhism turns the earth to gold and ripens the rivers to ghee.

Apologies for all the words. Again, much Metta to you Tony, and to the pup, and to all who suffer.

Nine bows,
Sekishi
#sattoday

[Sekishi]

Hi Tony,

Wishing you a swift recovery. Metta to you and the pup.

Radio waves permeate our bodies, and indeed the whole universe. Without them a radio is silent. But without a radio, we cannot perceive them. Perhaps mind and brain are similar. Radio waves and radios and ears and brains all seem to be required.

I do not know.

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sattoday

Hope you recover quickly Tony,

Gassho, Kyotai
sat today

[Jakugan]

Hi,

Was on a bike ride yesterday. Dog ran in front of me and off I came. I was knocked clean out. Concussion, scars and a few broken ribs later I've been laying here asking myself; if mind is separate from the organ of the brain where did both mind and consciousness go when i was out of it?

Didn't sit today ( but crawled out of bed lit incense and did Refuge Prayers )

Hi dharmasponge.

hope you recover quickly.

Gassho

simon

sat today

[Kyosei]

Tony,

thank you for asking this.

I'm often wondering the same.
From my experience, I agree with Willow.
Brain function does not necessarily mean consciousness.

(...)

Then where is that consciousness located?

I mean that one which moves from "wake" to "dreams realm", or that one which shifts from the "abstainer" consciousness to the "junkie"? or that one which goes from the "i'm here" to the "comatosis" counsciousness.

That led me to question: Is that what we call "consciousness" just a reflex of our attainments?

By "reflex" I mean a fantasy, a "movie" which we project into ourselves?

How can we see reality as it truly is, without attainment-born thoughs and feelings?

Sometimes I think we are kinda like "telescopes" through which "THE COUNSCIOUSNESS" sees. Sometimes its lens are very clear, sometimes dirty, sometimes broken. Sometimes we can't see just nothing because the telescope is entirely broken...

Thank you for the question and take care, friend.

**Sat today**

[KellyRok]

Great question, although I know not the answer.

I hope you heal quickly and can rest both mind and consciousness for a bit. Take care, I'm glad you will be okay in time!

Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

[Jika]

Tony,

thank you for asking this.

I'm often wondering the same.
From my experience, I agree with Willow.
Brain function does not necessarily mean consciousness.

Why does losing consciousness unpredictably trouble me more than going to sleep?
A habit.
The world suddenly non-existing (which, of course, one does not notice) is a worse memory on waking up than embracing sleep like one wanted to the night before.

And sleeping leaves less scars, usually.

So, what does Zen say about sleep and practice in general??
If monks are excused of breaking the precepts in sleep, it seems to be an "out of practice" zone.
How can we strive to awaken - and hit our heads, go to sleep, pass out?
Unattainable

Hope you feel better soon, Tony.

Gassho,
Danny
#sattoday

Glad you are ok, take care of yourself.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Byokan]

Tony,

So glad you are ok! Take good care of that concussion. Broken ribs are not as much fun as they're cracked up to be.

For a second there, I thought you were going to say you hit your head and all questions and doubt had disappeared.

What does the dog say? Where did he go when you were out?

I do think that's actually the answer.

Metta, and hopes for swift healing,

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

[Rich]

Get well soon.

SAT today

[Risho]

Whoa Tony... man I'm glad you are ok, hope you are feeling better!

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

Tony,
Please rest up and wishing you a speedy recovery. We are here if you need anything.

Deep bows
Yugen


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