To my mind, there is a difference between Buddhist practice, Zen and Western non-religious adaption of practices and concepts of from those Eastern sources. Since I live in a multi-religion society, as a old public school educator, I look for ways to enjoy life and the world that might be adopted by a person of most any persuasion. One of the basic practices from those Eastern ways is "non-judgment", looking at self, others and the world calmly and fully and gently.
Sure, life, human and other sorts, needs judgment. Of course, we need to notice what is good and what isn't and move toward the good. However, just as we sometimes suspend judgment in regards to fiction and art, learning to pause before snapping onto a decision of "like" or "don't like" can provide a moment to ponder a bit. Okay, I normally go for the mashed potatoes but is it time to revise, lessen or abandon that practice?
This sort of non-judgmental reflection is important in science and any other investigation or exploration. Trying to keep the mind open and avoiding premature labeling and sorting is basic and important to discovering new possibilities and seeing old obstacles for what they are.
I read with interest this comparison of the activity in a New York restaurant in 2004 and again in 2014. For insights into the way we live now, it is good and worth reading. This
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/rnr/4562386373.html I came to this item through Marginal Revolution, the generally most active of the 100 blogs I follow.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
