When we think of Enlightenment, we do not think of the mundane tasks of everyday existence. We do not consider that if we are poor timekeepers, or don’t get enough exercise, that we will never reach Enlightenment. Enlightenment is thought of as a lofty, otherworldly affair, connected to spiritual ideas, contemplation and reflection. However, the … Continue reading The Mundane
Tag: enlightenment
Thought
We have all experienced that one moment of pure clarity of mind, even if we can only see it retrospectively. It might have been when we were in a foreign country, driving on the other side of the road, through a busy city. It may have been when hanging over the precipiceof a mountain rock … Continue reading Thought
Motive
There is a circular movement at force within the universe. The earth goes round the sun, the moon around the earth. The clothes your parents used to wear come back into fashion, names of your grandparents, fads, economy, popular interests. This cycle happens too within our own lives, on a smaller timescale. We battle with … Continue reading Motive
Laws of Physics
What do we know about the laws of physics? Gravity, time, space, atoms, molecules, particles, pressure, waves, energy...all this is relative. There are enough anomalies if we want to see them, to realise that we don't know, but generally we don't even know that we don't know, so we think we know. How can we … Continue reading Laws of Physics
Timeless.
We talk in terms of opposites. We had a good meal, or a bad night's sleep. We felt cold as opposed to hot, happy in contrast to sad. Time is also viewed in such a way. We talk about the past or the future - but even when we talk about the present moment, we … Continue reading Timeless.
The destination matters not.
In za-zen there is no intention - one sits just to be sitting. One does not sit in order to strive for satori or enlightenment. This is an important lesson and philosophy for life. We live in an age of great hurrying where people want everything done yesterday and as soon as one goal is … Continue reading The destination matters not.
Tiger in the room
When you're sitting za-zen and you find that your mind has been wandering, bring your attention back to your posture and the mind will follow. If, when we were to sit za-zen, we faced the wall but knew a wild, loose tiger padded up and down the room behind us, our mind wouldn't wander. If … Continue reading Tiger in the room
No time like the present…
Oh but to live like the Puri Indians, of whom it is said that "for yesterday , today and tomorrow they have only one word, and they express the variety of meaning by pointing backwards for yesterday, forward for tomorrow, and overhead for the passing day." All there ever is, is this present moment. There … Continue reading No time like the present…
Balance
Imagine a high wire artist, balancing far above the expectant crowd, fearless and strong as he dances to and fro, in full control, as if his life depended on it. Add to that image, the same high wire artist performing his act upon a unicycle. Not only is the performer balancing with his physical body, … Continue reading Balance
Zen musings 