For the past few months- since Morocco, in February- I have been meditating for 30-40 minutes daily. Nothing huge-mongous. I know people that do a good deal more, better. Nonetheless, I find it enjoyable. Sustaining, even.
Sometimes my mind feels cluttered or fragmented. After standing still for a while, thinking about standing still- or puzzling over thinking about not thinking- things feel simpler, more harmonious.
On the back of this "meditation stuff", I've begun reading Zen Flesh, Zen Bones [on-line here]. This bad boy inspires a similar sense of inner-calm. My favourite koans* are: Great Wave, Kasan Sweat and Every-Minute Zen.
In the same vein/vane- my epiphany for the week is "becoming one with the universe" is not necessarily a high-faluting-put-me-up-on-that-there-pedestal-there-and-bask-baskgodamnit-in-my-ugh-Oneness, but simply reacting without hesitation to stimulus or situation, [which in hindsight happens to be the correct action/the path of least resistance]. My favourite example of this not being the case:
Imagine:
Presentations**- no umming or ahing, just measured comfortable speech with just enough thought and just enough action;
Self defence, watch and act- no worrying, no second guessing;
And dancing salsa, just burning up the dancefloor.
I think that is what Zen is. Sometimes at least. Other times I think the guys that came up with these koans were poker-faced jokers. Whichever way it goes, I nod off on this note:
** I am off to Switzerland on Sunday for the 16th Mettler Toledo User's Conference, presenting on "Eliminating Micronisation Using Fine Particle Crystallization"
Sometimes my mind feels cluttered or fragmented. After standing still for a while, thinking about standing still- or puzzling over thinking about not thinking- things feel simpler, more harmonious.
On the back of this "meditation stuff", I've begun reading Zen Flesh, Zen Bones [on-line here]. This bad boy inspires a similar sense of inner-calm. My favourite koans* are: Great Wave, Kasan Sweat and Every-Minute Zen.
In the same vein/vane- my epiphany for the week is "becoming one with the universe" is not necessarily a high-faluting-put-me-up-on-that-there-pedestal-there-and-bask-baskgodamnit-in-my-ugh-Oneness, but simply reacting without hesitation to stimulus or situation, [which in hindsight happens to be the correct action/the path of least resistance]. My favourite example of this not being the case:
I am getting ready to order food at the deli-counter- I know exactly what I want. When the person on the other side asks, I respond with "ummmm."Figuring out this sublime way of thinking leads to the lessons garnered in my chosen koans, I think- I hazard.
:|
Imagine:
Presentations**- no umming or ahing, just measured comfortable speech with just enough thought and just enough action;
Self defence, watch and act- no worrying, no second guessing;
And dancing salsa, just burning up the dancefloor.
I think that is what Zen is. Sometimes at least. Other times I think the guys that came up with these koans were poker-faced jokers. Whichever way it goes, I nod off on this note:
Lisa: Bart, I have a riddle for you. What's the sound of one hand clapping?*There are other koans concerned with about nonattachment... but I don't care for them.
Bart: Piece of cake.
(Bart opens and closes his right fist quickly, making a sound.)
Lisa: No, Bart. It's a 3000-year-old riddle with no answer. It's supposed to clear your mind of conscious thought.
Bart: No answer? Lisa, listen up.
(Bart quickly opens and closes his fist again.)***
** I am off to Switzerland on Sunday for the 16th Mettler Toledo User's Conference, presenting on "Eliminating Micronisation Using Fine Particle Crystallization"
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