Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

I started practising zen in the early 90's. Although I've studied Buddhism in college and have read a fair amount of books on the subject, my knowledge of buddhadharma is limited. In the zen tradition we don't 'think' much. All the questions I've ever asked of my teachers about this or that buddhist philosophy have been answered with something like, 'I wouldn't think about it too much' or, 'just come back to the breath'. 

I've loved it, and still do it, but after recently starting to explore more deeply the variety of different practises available, the history of buddhism and so forth, I'm wondering, “is that all there is, my zen?”

-d 

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

wake up. look out the window.

gassho

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

zen is in your walk everything you do, not just when you sit, not when you think about it, but in all things and everything we do in this reality work, socialize, sleep in all things and in nothing.

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Its entirely possible you're probably ready to hear the vajryana teachings. Explore. You seem to have quite a bit of dust cleared away from your eyes. It is okay to “Go west  young man”. The inner outer, and secret teachings of Bodhidharma are very powerful ( to powerful for me in fact. I found out- I am needing the simplicity of Zen, right now. I jumped the gun. My meditation room is now  a cushion and a wall- and I even get distracted by the textures of the paint and the lines in the hardwood floor. So you can see how the great and garish imagery of the Tibetans would distract me.) Back to the original. Ahh, I forgot what the original was. There I was striving to hard again:-> My question is where do I begin. I have a damaged and scattered mind and I have found that I need to balance gentleness, kindess and fluidity with tough-love, focus and accountability. Tomorrow starts an exercise program and I think that will help with the focus. And I am also sticking with only reading ONE non-fiction and ONE fiction book at one time. so that will also help with the focus. So, Should I, with Zen, Do breath following or should I chant 'MU' to myself. thanks

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

The Korean tradition of Zen is inclusive.  Yes, the emphasis is on meditation that includes koans as well as focused mindfulness.  However, mantra practice and sutra study is present also.  As a scientist, I was able to incorporate the full knowledge of nature in its various tiers of order into Buddhist psychology and philosophy and then from this conceptional base discover the emptiness and interdependence of process.  Then, with the search for synthesis complete, the practice because the practice.  The suchness of everything manifests: the autumn leaf falls to its correct place. Compassion arises without effort.

Zen schools may emphasize sudden total enlightenment or insight followed by cultivation. There is no right or wrong way. But since Buddhism is a religio-psycho-philosophy and science, why not, indeed, study all aspects while sitting on your Zafu.

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Wow, I hadn't realized my notifications were off for this pod. I thought there weren't any posts. So yeah, from September until now things have changed a lot. I just did a 5 day (drop-in) urban retreat here at the Portland Zen Center. During the retreat I practiced many things: tonglen, making every move a dharma move i.e. with the wish to benefit all beings, medicine buddha mantras and visualizations, internal study of the Four Noble Truths and so on.

it was easily the most intense retreat I've ever done. I had a really, really bad obsession over a girl and I couldn't shake it, no matter what. It was hard core work, and took my practice to a whole new level. I'm still feeling it.

Tomorrow I'm taking Chenrezig Initiation with our Kagyu-pa lama. I read a book from one of his teachers to prepare. It's going to be a great practice.

At the zendo now we're doing Koans. MU. I don't want to do MU, but I can see myself working with AH in the Dzogchen style.

-d

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

On mu.  This, along with the sound of one hand, are the first koans given.  The Kwan Um School regards it so basic that its “solution” is practically given away as a form of pump-priming.  I remembered that before such compassion was offered and I was a complete tyro, I spent long hours undergoing mental gymnastics and when I recognized what it was all about, it was like a slap to the head for my being so ridiculously analytical.  Douglas Hofstadter, a computer scientist and mathematician, had an extensive rif on mu in his book Godel, Escher, Bach, but he was even more zillion light-years away.  The key is to be stupid or young, yes that beginner's mind.  Ask a three-year old what is the buddha nature of a dog, to rephrase the koan.  There is a lot of self-referential, nonlinear logic in koans. They all bring you to the here and now and the spontaneously correct and compassionate action.  I call is a-thinking. Zen is rooted in the practical aspects of Chinese Taoist and the teaching of Kwan Fu Chu. I have said enought about that.

But I am not a fan of koans. They become too much of a game, and Zen combat, like Tibetan dharma challenges, while helping to sharpen the mind and motivate, they also become an attachment in themselves.  Also, folks like me who do not have a quick street-smart mind find the approach less optimal.  Life itself is a koan.  Just dealing with What am I? What was I before my parents were born? is sufficient.  There are thousands of koans from which you can choose a lifelong meaningful probe.  Or, since you are a musician, you could use sound itself and nature of music as the entry, as Sufi and Hindu mystics have done. What is the original music?

As for you female acquaintance, why not take your concentration on her into a useful introspection.  Phermones, vibes, and her character all contribute to your regard for her.  But what is it in yourself that makes her so attractive? When you know your self, you will know her self.  Your relationship may be enhanced.

Good luck with everything!

The mu of aum?

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Hello Zen Master, with the Beginner's Mind!  I LOVE Zen…can I say it again?  I love ZEN.  I would love to have your teacher.  I am very, very well-read!  And I have studied Buddhism, Tantra, Yoga, Gitas, Philosophies…and I practice, practice. I understand your question so very well.  And I understand your mind.  But….I also well-understand your teacher!  If you gather questions, you will need answers.  Your mind is a question, now you must seek answers.  If you have the courage, I would recommend what your teacher says!  It is difficult with the American Mind to remain ignorant….so to speak.  but in the end, you must come back to the breath, you will come back to Zen.  I think in the end, we must all come back to Zen.  But the END may not come soon enough, you might get caught by MIND!  Your teacher, in my opinion is being compassionate!  If you have the courage, stay with the breath!  Do not develop more mind!  You will just go in a circle.  But it takes such trust.  And I believe sometimes our karma will not allow us to stay, we must follow a rope that leads again to nowhere, but the journey taught us something!  So…there, hmmm?  I guess, it is up to you.  But…you're teacher is compassionate!  I understand you both!  I recommend you stay with your teacher.  He is telling you right, but can your mind accept.  You are free!  To travel many roads and experience all that you wish.  But if you seek enlightenment, if this is what you say you want now, you're teacher is right! So I think!
sincerely, shirley

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Wonderful thread! What a great time to be alive. To draw nourishment from the many wide flowing rivers that are Buddha-Dharma.

love

e

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

The old tree fallen,
Wedelia vines cover it.
Green, with golden stars.

Re: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Golden stars

shower the way

of radiant peacefulness…

lov e