As I understand it, there are two schools of Zen. So what? Who cares? Those who developed Zen and related practices have been seeking the best use of their minds for 2,000 years and more. The two schools matter because many in the West are trying to adopt those practices that do actually enrich their lives. The two schools stand for different paths. One is the slow path: plenty of sitting, training the attention on a single target such as a flame or a spot or one's breath. The other is the quick grasp path: realizing that we are here right now, that my bad behavior yesterday is in the past, that my anger of a minute ago is in the past, that I can profit myself and others by simply letting go of my intention to snarl and grimace. Those working on themselves often find the two paths intersect at various points. Sometimes, sitting quietly quiets effectively and sometimes, sudden chances to simply change pop up.
The Zen story of the man lowering himself on a rope along a mountain cliff applies to many moments in life. The man looked down and saw a nasty tiger waiting on the ground in anticipation of the man's descent. He looked up to see a different tiger waiting at the top of the rope. Unhappily, some mice were chewing on his rope! Just then, at eye level, the man spotted a ripe strawberry growing on the cliffside right at eye level. He picked it and popped it in his mouth. Delicious! This guy was able, right in the middle of a deadly situation, to experience the delight of a good berry and be conscious of that delight. It was fleeting but it was real.
Similarly, in the storm and stress of everyday life, as in the depressions and swampy boredom of everyday life, any of us may find a moment when we spot a strawberry of possible kindness or acceptance of another. We may be able to pop that berry into ourselves and smile or joke or hug. Delicious!
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
