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December 28, 2024

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Sounds interesting, thanks for the book recommendation and your thoughts.
And, come to think of it, your blog.
Happy Holidays.

Reading this latest blog, Taff makes some good and obvious points about meditation.

Similar to Taff’s practice, I’d think that anyone who is interested in finding out who/what they are would inevitably come face-to-face with one’s cognitive processes, the mass of mental activity that appears to generate and contain all the information that poses as ‘me’, as who I am.

Perhaps such a practice may show up many of the usually unconscious drives that takes us off on numerous searches for meaning or purpose; or it could perhaps allow us to question our beliefs and assumptions. Taff calls it ‘making the unconscious conscious; Brian prefers the term unaware rather than unconscious.

I also appreciate Joan Toliffson’s approach to practice: - “While I often emphasize the undivided, effortless, choiceless happening in which there is nothing to do (or not do) and no one to do (or not do) anything, I do in fact engage in and recommend what could be called a practice. I’ve never been an enthusiast for the word practice—it sounds too methodical to my ear. But as I’m using it here, I simply mean a way of life.”

And: - “What I’m pointing to here is nothing more or less than the “practice” of simply being alive, being this moment, just as it is. This is not a result-oriented practice or a self-improvement project, but on the other hand, it's not about mindlessly being a miserable jerk either. It’s a non-methodical, present moment, discovery, cultivation and exploration of open attention, awareness, presence, surrender and letting go.”

All good stuff Brian. Happy New Year to you and to all commentators.

This topic on meditation deserves another comment. I couldn’t help but reflect on how very different the various religions and other spiritual practices are. But then I’m thinking that, when it comes down to it, ultimately it doesn’t matter one iota what we practice and believe. Basically, we all share the same life experience of being born, being alive for a while and then dying – but then comes the inevitable add-ons generally from one or more of the belief systems.

The three Abrahamitic religions are faith based, and if they help their followers in some way that is fine; after all, we are all looking for some sort of meaningful peg to hang our hats on. Along with social and community benefits, many beliefs provide a sense of meaning and security. But, as with Taff, I tend to gravitate toward the more practical teachings (philosophies), which for me are the Buddhistic teachings of Chan or Zen.

This addresses much of what Taff is saying, which is ‘paying attention to your present moment sensory experience in a nonjudgmental manner.’ Also, noticing how the mind operates which includes seeing into the unconscious or semi-conscious contents and how our prejudices, fears and insecurities tend to run our lives. It’s all about being aware of the fears, anxieties, hopes and desires that drive us to seek hope and security through all manner of activities, through beliefs, through authorities or through spiritual and political leaders.

There is a great drive in human nature to make sense of everything, of the world in general and perhaps foremost the eternal quest of ‘who I am’. Yes, some of the various myths and beliefs can obviously help, though inherent in belief is doubt – which can lead to incessant justification, disputes and, at the extremes, persecution and war.

I'm currently reading Naked in the Zendo by Grace Shireson. Quite good, exceeded my expectations actually. Grace began studying zen back in 1967 with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. This was back when you could just wander into the Berkeley zendo and have a chat with the roshi

What hooked Grace on zen? In her 1st encounter with the roshi, he said: "The more you practice zen . . . the more you understand . . . . that life is SUFFERING."

This completely blew Grace's mind, as it went against everything her hippie mind presumed about the spiritual search. But she's stayed with zen for almost 60 years.

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