September 30, 2008
Singing Lizard Man
One of the happiest sounds in the world to me, is my darling Kevin singing funny little songs to our reptiles. Right now he's making up words to a song about feeding Savanna Monitors. How can I write with that happening in the background? LOL
September 29, 2008
Tao Te Ching - Translation
"Doing the right thing" is like water.
It's good for all living things,and flows without thinking about where it's going...just like Tao.
Keep your feet on the ground.
Remember what's important.
Be there when people need you.
Say what you mean.
Be prepared for anything.
Do whatever you can, whenever it needs doing.
If you don't compare yourself to others,nobody can compare to you.
Translation by Ron HoganProgramming by Simon Hudson
It's good for all living things,and flows without thinking about where it's going...just like Tao.
Keep your feet on the ground.
Remember what's important.
Be there when people need you.
Say what you mean.
Be prepared for anything.
Do whatever you can, whenever it needs doing.
If you don't compare yourself to others,nobody can compare to you.
Translation by Ron HoganProgramming by Simon Hudson
Thinking About Big Farts and Other Stinky Prospects
In a recent post on the Hardcore Zen blog site, writer Brad W. was talking about how a particular "zen master" (master of what, I'm not sure) is charging folks 50K to sit in his presence for a shot at enlightenment and to bask in his knowingness. Gross, right?
This guy Ginpo Roshi is doing what countless others throughout the history of humankind have done: profit from the fear and ignorance of others. Every religion, government, school of thought, political movement (the list goes on) has capitalized on the inherent suffering in the world. Entire economies and societal frameworks are built and maintained in this way. It is apparently what makes the "world go 'round".
I believe we are all at risk every moment of being promised a relief from suffering, for a price. The costs cannot be calculated, as they are intangible. Fifty thousand dollars is a nice plump pile of bread, but it doesn't compare with the cost of the delusion for which one pays. How many unenlightened folks will walk blissfully from Ginpo Roshi's retreat thinking they are a giant step ahead of everyone else in the "lack of suffering" department..until they get home and see that life is still life and suffering is still going to happen.
I have to digress for a moment to relate an annual event for me during my childhood, from the ages of about 7 to 16. Each summer, I would attend Falls Creek Southern Baptist Church Camp for a week. Speaking of hardcore, this was INTENSE indoctrination: there was very literally a minimum of 4 full-fledged sermons a day. Because of the hours and busy schedule, we were always exhausted and dropping like flies into the abyss of repentance. By the end of the week, I would be ready to sign my life away as a missionary to some hellish corner of the earth. Invariably, I would pack up my satanic and worldly possessions when I returned home so I would not be tempted by their wicked influence. Did you notice that I said "pack up" and not throw away or burn? LOL Within a week or two of being home, the exhaustion and brainwashing would melt away and life would gradually come to include the things I decidedly enjoyed (Led Zeppelin and Styx albums, watching television, and talking to my non-Christian friends).
My point (yes, I think I have one) is that there is no price for enlightenment. The recipe for baking a loaf of peace has graciously been provided for no fee. Opening our eyes to the world and taking a stab at understanding and seeing cannot be done on our behalf - no matter how much we pay or what we sacrifice. Ginpo Roshi probably does have big farts, most people do. I just can't imagine why anyone would think they're worth paying 50 grand to sniff.
This guy Ginpo Roshi is doing what countless others throughout the history of humankind have done: profit from the fear and ignorance of others. Every religion, government, school of thought, political movement (the list goes on) has capitalized on the inherent suffering in the world. Entire economies and societal frameworks are built and maintained in this way. It is apparently what makes the "world go 'round".
I believe we are all at risk every moment of being promised a relief from suffering, for a price. The costs cannot be calculated, as they are intangible. Fifty thousand dollars is a nice plump pile of bread, but it doesn't compare with the cost of the delusion for which one pays. How many unenlightened folks will walk blissfully from Ginpo Roshi's retreat thinking they are a giant step ahead of everyone else in the "lack of suffering" department..until they get home and see that life is still life and suffering is still going to happen.
I have to digress for a moment to relate an annual event for me during my childhood, from the ages of about 7 to 16. Each summer, I would attend Falls Creek Southern Baptist Church Camp for a week. Speaking of hardcore, this was INTENSE indoctrination: there was very literally a minimum of 4 full-fledged sermons a day. Because of the hours and busy schedule, we were always exhausted and dropping like flies into the abyss of repentance. By the end of the week, I would be ready to sign my life away as a missionary to some hellish corner of the earth. Invariably, I would pack up my satanic and worldly possessions when I returned home so I would not be tempted by their wicked influence. Did you notice that I said "pack up" and not throw away or burn? LOL Within a week or two of being home, the exhaustion and brainwashing would melt away and life would gradually come to include the things I decidedly enjoyed (Led Zeppelin and Styx albums, watching television, and talking to my non-Christian friends).
My point (yes, I think I have one) is that there is no price for enlightenment. The recipe for baking a loaf of peace has graciously been provided for no fee. Opening our eyes to the world and taking a stab at understanding and seeing cannot be done on our behalf - no matter how much we pay or what we sacrifice. Ginpo Roshi probably does have big farts, most people do. I just can't imagine why anyone would think they're worth paying 50 grand to sniff.
September 28, 2008
Harbingers of Autumn
So in this moment there is the opportunity to experience a change. The air is crisper in the morning and the monsoonal humidity slowly fades from memory. The sky darkens to a purplish glow earlier in the evening and the mating call of spade foot toads is silent once again. We are rejuvenated from the hot summer and the exhausted desert-scape sighs in relief.
September 23, 2008
Uniformity & Conformity
How contorted we can become when we strive to be like someone else. If we pause even for a moment to reflect, it is evident that no one exists as a stand alone model for anything. We are ultimately all a part of the same fabric, along with all else that is.
If I lay a pattern on a piece of cloth and cut two identical pieces, they are the same and yet different. They are two, but also one. Neither is dependent on the other to exist, but came from the same whole.
In this same way, we are all separate but united; different, but uniform. Beyond the oneness of us all, it is more desirable to have our subtle (if not superficial) differences to enhance the experience of life.
Lesa
If I lay a pattern on a piece of cloth and cut two identical pieces, they are the same and yet different. They are two, but also one. Neither is dependent on the other to exist, but came from the same whole.
In this same way, we are all separate but united; different, but uniform. Beyond the oneness of us all, it is more desirable to have our subtle (if not superficial) differences to enhance the experience of life.
Lesa
September 21, 2008
September 20, 2008
A start, but not a beginning
This seems like a good place to start, but is certainly not the beginning. The circumstances that have lead to this point are an integral part of this project in expression. Over the past few years i have sought to scratch away some of the caked on layers of perceptions and experiences to glimpse what is real. Every moment reveals something new to me - if i am open to receive it.
May we all be free from suffering and know that we know nothing.
May we all be free from suffering and know that we know nothing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
