In the Eleusinian Mysteries, the motto written over the door was Know Thyself. During the initiations, a student was placed inside a maze fraught with dangers, with the promise that if they were to reach the centre then they would find the truth, they would discover God. For those that made it through, the holy … Continue reading Eleusinian Mysteries
Tag: now
Awakening
A small child walks into a hardware store with his parents. He doesn’t register the screws and nuts or any of the other materials he has no prior knowledge of, but does see the display of brightly coloured buckets and spades and is instantly drawn there. The father, who has been working on a DIY … Continue reading Awakening
Absolute
Practice zazen as if your hair were on fire. When we sit, we cannot be thinking about yesterday’s actions or tomorrow’s plans. When we while away the time doing this, we are not sitting, but thinking. Sitting should be performed like any other action, we should be consumed by it, so that the thoughts drop … Continue reading Absolute
Soul
Do humans have a soul? Is there something perpetual and eternal, some enduring aspect of us which lingers on after we die? There is something so quintessentially me, something that makes me unique and unlike any other human that has ever lived – surely, whether or not we were created by some higher intelligence, that … Continue reading Soul
Confidence of the present moment
The human brain is hard-wired to judge today’s experiences by those of yesterday. If we have perceived we have failed at something in the past, we carry those expectations with us, held in our memories like pebbles. However, whatever happened in the past, whatever could not be achieved yesterday should not deter us, should hold … Continue reading Confidence of the present moment
Life’s potential
A famous middle-aged Buddhist monk, who was suffering from a terminal disease, was interviewed by the press. “How does it make you feel, knowing you are dying?” the interviewer asked. “How does it make you feel to know you are dying?” the monk replied. “I mean, soon, before your time,” came the reply. “Whenever we … Continue reading Life’s potential
Significant insignificance
Winter solstice this year saw the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. This close alignment had not occurred since 1623 and with the close proximity of Christmas, it was named by many as the Christmas Star, similar to the one which many believe guided the three wise men to the baby Jesus, two thousand and … Continue reading Significant insignificance
The Search
When we are little, we learn about growing up and long for it to rush upon us. Toddlers wear the big shoes of their parents, young girls watch with awe while their mothers apply makeup, young boys watch their fathers as they shave. It appears a compliment to be told ‘you’re so grown up’. Teenagers … Continue reading The Search
Momentary State
Why do we exist? What is the nature of man, of the universe, or existence itself? Is there a God? Why is there evil in the world? What is Free Will? What constitutes Determinism? From whence does the collective consciousness issue? Are we reincarnated? Do we have a soul? Is there any meaning to this … Continue reading Momentary State
Appreciation
What is your normal habit when having a meal? At breakfast, do you eat with your family and discuss the day, or read a newspaper? At lunch do you chat with colleagues or stay at your desk working while you eat? In the evening do you visit a restaurant with friends or watch TV with … Continue reading Appreciation
Zen musings 