zen

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Confliction & 2028

“Don’t worry about the situation of the world. You must be happy – very, very happy! Only through happiness and waves of bliss, you will be able to help your country and the entire world. You will remain ever invincible when you don’t allow anything to obscure your happiness.” ~ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

On a separate but related note I’ve been following the works and words of Thich Nhat Hanh for some time now. Sometimes I can even make it work, this in the now thing. At least for awhile. Sometimes I can even feel at peace–for awhile. I consider getting back to meditating and even have my own zafu and zabuton. But then I have also purchased a Yoga mat and hand weights. I’m sure I’ll get to them too.

This is all to say and finally speak to the cliched elephant in the room–Trump. The Trump world of Republicans and sycophants and followers. And I swore I would never bring him up. But like the huge festering boil of old, there it is. And the biggest scream factor that I have is my inability to understand the people who still see him in a good light, even a positive one. Those who still can see a green reflecting pool as blue. Or now as it turns out to admittedly be green, turned so by vandals.

Actually I do understand it. People don’t want truth, they want to feel safe. This sentiment is lodged in works by our pal Fyodor Dostoevsky, who wrote, “People don’t want truth; they want comfort dressed as truth” and in Kafka’s observation that people “rent illusions” to avoid the weight of reality. I understand it but I don’t. Feeling safe can kill you.

I mostly wonder what will happen to those who have to know, yet say the words and kiss the ass anyway. Marco Rubio, JD Vance, et.al. When I see them I want to cry. How could they betray us so for personal gain. Is there no integrity at all?

For God’s sake! Eating pets? Litter boxes for toilets in schools? A war!

It’s the weight of it, the sadness, the frustration. And the just plain exhaustion. As I try to picture the goodness in others, say the metta for all, and move the mala beads that were once rosary beads, I wait for the election of 2028. Will the revolution come then? Who can believe the ‘great he’ will leave peacefully. Will we be ready for the chaos this time or will we again be taken by surprise? Know this much: they will certainly be ready even if we are not.

In the new Zen, the Zen of Thich Nhat Hanh, there comes a time when the monks must not stay silent or inactive. It is an involved Zen. And the now of it will soon enough become 2028.

Copied from internet under photos of Thich Nhat Hanh.

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Zen & Bruce Lee

“Zen is both something we are, our true nature expressing itself moment by moment, and something we do, a disciplined practice through which we can realize the joy of being. So, what is Zen? Stop trying to get an intellectual lock on something that is vast and boundless, far more than the rational mind can grasp. Just breathe in with full awareness.”~ Bruce Lee

Once again the mystery and simplicity of Zen. Bruce Lee. What a shame we lost him so young. Many theorize that it was no accident and that forces, perhaps from China, did not want him to continue in this world. Some photos of him are just incredible. He made himself into the cobra that represented him. Or that he represented. Where could he have taken himself in this world had he remained here?

The above photo is from the internet. I didn’t see a credit given though it does look as if it is from a movie. The photo I am thinking of shows him sitting on a meditation pillow—zafu—in a sitting cobra pose. It is beyond impressive. It is as if he becomes a cobra.

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The Buddha Way

Tao & Zen post

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Letting Go

“Do everything with a mind that lets go. If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will know complete peace and freedom. Your struggles with the world will have come to an end…” ~Ajahn Chah

TaoAndZenz

Posted by Tao & Zen

Yvonne Mancilla tsSpitoon1s0oredh · Raindrops on pine

Posted by Yvonne Mancilla—Raindrops on pine

So Beautiful

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Now

So many thoughts, so little time. So for just now, and a catch-up later, here’s a thought to tide us over once more.

  • Tao and Zen

“There is a misconception that Buddhism is a religion, and that you worship Buddha. Buddhism is a practice, like yoga. You can be a Christian and practice Buddhism. I met a Catholic priest who lives in a Buddhist monastery in France. He told me that Buddhism makes him a better Christian. I love that.” – Thich Nhat Hanh