Thursday, February 8, 2018

up next -- something else

Strange to think that what comes next is always something else.

But since, in reality, there is no "next," then "something else" gets thrown into a cocked hat as well.

This is just the way of the world. There is no understanding, parsing, confining, elucidating, cursing or lauding the function. It's just a matter of taking stock of the idiocies I am willing to stoop to.

2 comments:

  1. I'm told that every breath is different and worthy of our attention. Breathing strikes me as pretty repetitive, but there's no denying that each moment is changed from the last, taking that breath with it.

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  2. After listening to a Buddhist “teacher” give a talk on “self-criticism,” I have sworn off Pop Pycho-Buddhism.

    Your musing reflects a kind of teaching in, say, the Heart Sutra, I prefer the teaching on this topic in the Sandokai.

    I paste the translation given on Wikipedia here:

    Identity of Relative and Absolute

    The mind of the Great Sage of India was intimately
    conveyed from west to east.

    Among human beings are wise ones and fools,

    But in the Way there is no northern or southern Patriarch.

    The subtle source is clear and bright; the tributary

    streams flow through the darkness.

    To be attached to things is illusion;

    To encounter the absolute is not yet enlightenment.

    Each and all, the subjective and objective spheres are related,

    and at the same time, independent.

    Related, yet working differently, though each keeps its own place.

    Form makes the character and appearance different;

    Sounds distinguish comfort and discomfort.

    The dark makes all words one; the brightness distinguishes good and bad phrases.

    The four elements return to their nature as a child to its mother.

    Fire is hot, wind moves, water is wet, earth hard.

    Eyes see, ears hear, nose smells, tongue tastes the salt and sour.

    Each is independent of the other; cause and effect must return to the great reality

    Like leaves that come from the same root.

    The words high and low are used relatively.

    Within light there is darkness, but do not try to understand that darkness;

    Within darkness there is light, but do not look for that light.

    Light and darkness are a pair, like the foot before

    and the foot behind, in walking. Each thing has its own intrinsic value

    and is related to everything else in function and position.

    Ordinary life fits the absolute as a box and its lid.

    The absolute works together with the relative like two arrows meeting in mid-air.

    Reading words you should grasp the great reality. Do not judge by any standards.

    If you do not see the Way, you do not see it even as you walk on it.

    When you walk the Way, it is not near, it is not far.

    If you are deluded, you are mountains and rivers away from it.

    I respectfully say to those who wish to be enlightened:

    Do not waste your time by night or day.

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