Live as homeless

[Guest]

How do you think about live as homeless?

What is homeless?


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[Risho]

I think that Zen practice teaches us to find our home wherever we are. So in a sense we don't have a particular home, in a traditional sense, are simply homeless, beyond thoughts of home or not home. Of course, much easier to say then do (I'm not good at this). Initially, there is resistance like "Man, I wish I were home." But if we drop that resistance, then the distinctions also fall away.

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

PS. I forgot to write what I meant by "home". I think it means our ideas of what home is... which relates to the three poisons (greed, anger, ignorance) when we try to maintain something that matches our expectations. This is something that I have to do time and time again. We are of course homeless, but my mind just keeps on insisting that this is mine, that is yours, and if you take it from me there will be problems. It's a deep, deep habit, so to quote Lisa from her recent post on the Precept III: Not Taking Life we vow. To right the ship, to look at our compass, when our habit drags us back to our old "home".

[Kyonin]

Hi Mr. K.

A few years ago I was a homeless. All my belongings fit in 2 bags. It was a very difficult time in my life because I resisted it. I hated to be homeless.

But after a few days I realized that owning nothing and having anything was liberating. Not having a home was being home for the first time! I was happy for the first time in years!

This is what my home looked like in a subway station:



Now I try to keep my life very simple and I only have what I need.

Home is here. Being homeless is home.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Rich]

You have nothing, you are homeless like a rolling stone.

SAT today

[Doshin]

When I read your question I thought of those I see living on the streets. Without food, shelter, sometimes blessed by the compassion of strangers. Most did not get there by choice but by circumstances such as addiction, mental illness, violence. All the refugees in the world are homeless.

But I quickly suspected that this was a question with a different meaning. After all this is a sangha where people think more widely and deeply. I am often to literal and hold to thoughts with predetermined definitions and absolutes. The world as was explained to me by those around me. When I read Risho's response, and his quote from Lisa, which I had also read, made me begin to see this concept as much larger.

With that said I still come back to a smaller understanding of a place, a place that we become attached to.. I believe home is where you are, with the ones you care for. To live homeless is to not suffer for not being at a particular place, to not be attached to a "spot" but to find joy with where you are. Because that is what you have in that moment. To quote an old song...."if you are not with the one you love, love the one you are with." I also do not believe it wrong to love a place when you accept the impermeance of that relationship.

But I do long for home, spent my adult life traveling and it was always good to come home. But it was also good to go.

Gassho

Randy
sit tonight

[Jishin]

How do you think about live as homeless?

What is homeless?


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Hi,

I think living homeless sucks.

I think homeless means not owning your body.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Mp]

I think living homeless sucks.

I have to agree with this. I think it is also important to look at the context when the word "homeless" is used. Living simply and light on the land doesn't mean one should live without a home. I also am with Randy in reference to be literal when it comes to homelessness - being homeless is without a home and I don't feel it is a place to aspire to. Being grateful and accepting of what we have is important both is house and home and everything in between. But this is just my simple two cents.

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

[Kakunen]

Wow. I am little suprise!

Every answer is helpful!

I read book by Sawaki-Roshi,he called Homeless Zen monk.
And when I leave Antaiji,I will do back packing tour to my home 700km.
And I want to do Takuhatsu in the same time.

Because I am just only live as myself.

This link is very helpful for me.Written in Japanese by Seigaku-san,Zen monk at Germany.

http://www.higan.net/unsui/2011/09/post-14.html

[Jundo]

Some people are homeless, living in the streets, but are not truly "homeless". Rather, they are caged, prisoners of their addictions, fears, and inability to find peace. Some people sleeping in a warm house with a roof are also caged in the same way.

But some folks are free and boundless whether in a home or an office, in the streets or wandering in the mountains. They are "homeless" because always at rest, always at home. True Home.

On your travels, may every step be a total arrival to Home.

Stay warm and safe, as it will be winter during your walk!

Gassho, J

SatToday totally At Home

[Kakunen]

I meet many people from neighbors.UK,France,Germany,Italy,Poland,Turkey,Es tonia,Norway and China,Vetnam,Indnesia,Cambosia and Austraria and Canada,USA,Mexico,Argentina. They change my mind,so I can challenge.


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[RichardH]

HI Konan. When I was young my home disappeared and I was homeless for a time. My father was also homeless, but he was also ill and he died. That kind of Homeless is terrible and no one should have to experience it, if we can help it. Homeless people are individuals, each with a unique story, never a type of person.

Another kind of Homeless is wonderful. It is the Homeless of being at home in every situation... always at home. That kind of homeless is the practice I learn here.

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[Yugen]

I would like to thank you all for this thread. I'm in silent gratitude. Daizan, Mr. K, your posts bring tears to my eyes.

Deep bows
Yugen


sat2day

[Kakunen]

Live as homeless

Do not lose mind.Please do not lose mind. I pray.

We can live our mind.When we sit and notice about breathing,we notice we are living.

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[Rich]

Do not lose mind.Please do not lose mind. I pray.

We can live our mind.When we sit and notice about breathing,we notice we are living.

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Yes, when we are aware of our life we don't have so much fear and are more in touch with the eternal. When we are unaware it's like we are already dead or in some hell.

SAT today

[Juki]

Yes, when we are aware of our life we don't have so much fear and are more in touch with the eternal.

SAT today

I like this. Kobun Chino Otagawa once said that you must go to "the other side of nothing" to hold hands with the divine (which I interpret as the eternal." For me, to be homeless is to be comfortable on the other side of nothing.

Gassho,
Juki

#sattoday (but only for fifteen minutes so I'll sit thirty later)