This is my blog. It consists of almost-daily postings -- sometimes about the Zen Buddhism I have admired and practiced; sometimes about other 'spiritual' matters; and mostly about whatever strikes my fancy. Except to the extent that it might help others to consider what kind of fool they would prefer not to be, this blog does not aim to help anyone. (Emphasis added)Do I fall short of my own disclaimer? Sure. Everyone likes applause and pats on the back and other subtle ways of elevating their often-well-camouflaged stock. Everyone has fallen into the sharing-is-caring trap and I'm no exception. But this is just my blog with my bias. I write because writing is something I seem to do, can't or won't escape ... and, to quote the bard, "Why not?"
I'd love to make a million bucks off it all or be showered in some ticker-tape parade of approval, but generally I don't care about that ... writing is just what I do. I'm not writing in support of some hoary or holy institution or philosophy. It's just me and my warts and some small version of practicing the only compassion that makes much sense to me ... be yourself. Self-involved navel-gazing? Sure, if you like.
I could be and probably am wrong, wronger, wrongest.
But that's not my call.
There you go again disclaiming duality while constantly talking about who is a fool, or who is wrong.
ReplyDeleteMistakes are NOT us.
Mistakes are ...mistakes.
And are corrected not by calling them successes, but slowly, poco a poco, not making them.
Or making them much less.
Its easy, but very hard, and we all of us need instruction.
Its a fact that every Buddhist that I have met who makes a big deal about Buddha Nature and how we are already Buddhas is a bigger foul up than the ones who just get on with what needs doing.
Ah, the great self-serving "we" ...
ReplyDeleteEver so much safer and removed and well-defended than the equally self-serving but more straight-forward "I."
And I and everyone else needs instruction. Without exception, and most of us for a pretty long time.
ReplyDeleteHence " we ALL of us".
No one gets this by trial and error. And those that attempt it end up recycling their own ideas into their seventies and eighties.
Adam, you are a very patient man.
ReplyDeleteI dont think that being persistent in blindly leading the blind equals patience.
ReplyDeleteNo one ever got to practice Zen by " paying attention and taking responsibility " alone..at best that is just the default mindset to aim for...its not the practice. And it doesnt happen by trial and error. It never has and never, ever, will.
Do your research people , make your checks, and take instruction from a bona fide teacher.
Not a maverick with a chip on his shoulder because he hasnt had the respect he feels he is due.
What requires patients is enduring your arrogant assumptions anonymous. You assume we don't have valid teachers. You assume only you understand proper dharma. You assume our friend Adam's musings are somehow harmful. You're not the thought police anonymous. You're not protecting the dharma. You're an asshole on a vendetta for personal reasons.
ReplyDeleteOne of the old Zennies once said "pay attention" was the way to go. When one of his students said "I don't understand", he looked sad and only repeated "pay attention"
ReplyDeleteHatred, anger and delusion: they are the eternal seeds we put in and flower, but don't cry when those repercussions hurt those whom we love most either.
Best wishes,
Abu