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November 05, 2021

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[“One reason I enjoy Zen Buddhism so much is that Zen is deeply rooted in physicality.”]

Having spent much of my time and working life involved in nature, I guess that is part of my reason for my involvement with Zen (Chan in my case). Two points I’ll mention. One is that I’ve never looked upon the physical as being any different from the spiritual - being just ideas and having no actual separate reality. The other is that some talk about nature as being separate from us, something almost divorced from us and ‘out there’ – whereas of course, we are it; perhaps a bit more cunning, a bit shrewder, perhaps too self-involved and feeling special.

Which is probably why, being just one life form among thousands of others, I feel no intrinsic separation, yet, I am aware that my conditioned mind - my ego or self-identity - left to unconsciously wander the realms of culturally programmed concepts, thoughts and ideas, habitually drags me away from the reality that is always right here, right now. All simply expressed in Zen as ‘Just this’, or ‘This is it’, and ‘Being with’.

"Walking on the edge of a roof is great mindfulness training"

"...At my age, 73, I get frequent advice to stay off our roof, including from my wife. I'm pleased to ignore that advice. One reason is that I learn a lot about mindfulness from clearing the gutters out..."


..........If I may, Brian: Don't, just don't. Mindfulness is no fun --- unless you're some hardcore Bodhisatva! --- lying flat with a broken back. Pardon me for proffering this unasked for advice, it isn't something I generally do, but I'd ...well, let's just say, I'd prefer you to live a long and healthy life, than not. And I'm afraid that after a certain age, falls are a major cause of people getting incapacitated, or worse. I know this anecdotally, and up close; and also in terms of medical/statistical fact (although citations for the latter aren't at hand at this time). Best not tempt fate by cat-walking away up at a height, and without people around. Instead just install a low raised platform at ground level to walk on, if you must, and practice your mindfulness-while-on-a-ledge thing on that.

Your wife's right on this, and you're wrong, trust me.

Hi Brian Ji
You wrote
"Hey, maybe a Nobel prize awaits you if you're able to prove that we're non-physical beings living in a physical world, or maybe two Nobel prizes if you can prove we're non-physical beings living in a non-physical world.)"

Most creative and professional people already live in a non - physical world of ideas. Every scientific theory is forged there, not here. What informs that world? What is it connected to? Why are there layers of access to it, each accessible on the basis of he focus? And only accessible when we are "in the groove?"

Why does every great athlete retreat there in order to perform at their best, even while performing?

Many Nobel prizes are awarded for the discoveries there, because in that place is a deeper understanding of this place. All the great artists and scientists live there in their most productive hours.

If you spend most of your time there it is only practical to consider yourself a citizen of that country.

A country of infinite exploration.


You don't need to risk life and limb to go there.

AR, yes, the entire history of elderly patients after a fall is quite different, including reduced life expectancy, increased likelihood of developing other morbidities, and reduced recovery after further injury.

It is for this reason the elderly are encouraged to use a walker even when they don't need one. Bones become brittle and breaks are easier to get even with a trip and fall to the ground while walking on level ground.

And once there is a break, even with the best surgery, full range of motion and activity is forever out of reach for most elderly patients. And that limitation affects the health of other internal organs.

If you wish to take risks, risk your belief system by going within.

I once helped a friend do a remodel on his house, and he hired a roofer. The roofer was a grizzled vet who'd been doing roofing for 30 years or so. He said he's seen even the most experienced roofers just one day walk right off a roof.

Everyone believes they're good drivers, everyone believes they're mindful of safety. And yet, thousands of car accidents happen every week, many of them fatal. Studies show that 77% of drivers will be in an accident at least once in their life. It's a big reason I resist the temptation to buy a bike, where once accident can easily change or end one's life.

Zen Buddhism has much to say about illusion. Indeed, we are physical beings with imperfect minds, which is why it makes sense to tie-off when "skywalking."

Even though lots of people believe otherwise, we are physical beings living in a physical world.

Here, Gurinder Singh Dhillion would totally disagree with us all. But then again how much does the Little midget of a man know about the reality of this world.
Not to put off his not so talked about devious actions which he has alot of explanaing to do, to his Sangat too. Who sit there all lost and bewildered by his buffon tactics at a cost of they're own mentality. Skip that song an dance and get some real enlightenment.
The hidden hand of Gurinder Singh Dhillions gets up to alot which the eye never gets to see behind them closed doors, but we all know what really goes on, yup your exposed.

Never fall for the lies watch his actions and then give yourself a pat on on your back for a good job of catching the culprit at play.

Games a over Gurinder Singh Dhillion your good as done in the world of fake baba you made it to that top banana postion, congratulations 👏

Better to do some Mindfulness than Mindless motions of Gurinder Singh Dhillion & the Ruthless Radha Soami Cult

@manoj your straight to the point, and yes the blatant truth about gurinder of RSSB does hurt. I'm moving away from this path, that has destroyed my personal life. It's time I will never ever get back and I feel I have wasted my life in satsangs every Sunday and doing seva for the benefit of gurinder and RSSB. Thank you and I hope more sangat can see the truth.

@ Tendzin : [ He said he's seen even the most experienced roofers just one day walk right off a roof. ]

It's shattering how distractable we are even with familiar
activities. But, even on "lower roofs", there's seemingly
always some bit of peril.

Sometimes I feel the peril is what attracts us. It's our
antidote for a life not lived mindfully which, deep down,
we know is the most perilous of all. I "walk off the roof"
in some way or other every day.

Tendzin captured my feelings well. Thanks for the post and the comments. Few people realize that this entire planet and the short life we live upon it is all about TROUBLE, followed by frantic efforts to get out of TROUBLE. The few moments we experience of real pleasure and tranquility are soon overturned by TROUBLE.

I have realized this after 67 years of existence here. Nothing more...nothing less.

"Out on a Limb" is a great title that sums up my experience here every moment. Many times has that limb snapped and I fell to the ground from my false perch of pride and vainglory! Only to return and face the TROUBLE of another day.

What could possibly be the reason for a life replete with TROUBLE?

@Albert you are absolutely right in saying this short life is pain and suffering. I call this planet/ universe a prison planet. This is where fake leaders and fake spiritual masters like gurinder singh " the narsasist" dhillon take advantage of the innocent souls. His cult should be called the science of trapping the soul. They gain energy from your suffering and the ignorance of the blind sheep is no excuse. And shamefully they say we are suffering because of our past karma and karmic dept. This is absolute bullshit , made to trap you in this realm for eternity and blame you , while they wrince yours and your loved ones mind body and soul.

@albert

My goodness, what happened? You’re usually more optimistic. 😕

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