Has this Forum changed

[zenzero]

Friend keeperofthe prison,

Zen doesn't believe in self, so naturally there is only one way for him to go, which is no way at all, but to simply exist.

Love you Mike!
However just elaborating or placing the word *self* in its correct perspective.
There is no *SELF* as a distinctly separate body and so what friend Mike stated is correct; however at the same time a perception remains of separateness and that being so the *self* is also perceived in that manner. Considering that one only evolves to the next level of evolution by understanding and then transcending that separateness to be one with the *whole* is all there is to it.
How one does so is a matter of meditation.
Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love & rgds

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Well lets let him answer because I dont believe he picked his beliefs because it fit him and had no intentions of changing anything about himself.

Here is the thing, until you have lived a life of Zen, and I have tried before, it is difficult to understand how it comes about in a person's life.

Bruce Lee said it quite nice, that like a sculptor doesn't add clay, but strips it away until the truth is revealed.
As such, I doubt ZenZero was seeking anything, but after studying and living the Zen life, you become aware that there is nothing to change, or nothing to become like, but plenty to strip away that is completely useless and baseless, which according to Zen philosophy keeping these unessential as part of one's life, we only weigh ourselves down with illusions and dreams.

If you or anyone faces Zen in its totality, it is like being punched in the face. It is not something you look for, or find, but just realize it has been there all along, and you have just been ignoring it. So I can imagine it is hard for ZenZero to answer your question directly.

Do you understand why?

 

[keeperoftheprison]

Here is the thing, until you have lived a life of Zen, and I have tried before, it is difficult to understand how it comes about in a person's life.

Bruce Lee said it quite nice, that like a sculptor doesn't add clay, but strips it away until the truth is revealed.
As such, I doubt ZenZero was seeking anything, but after studying and living the Zen life, you become aware that there is nothing to change, or nothing to become like, but plenty to strip away that is completely useless and baseless, which according to Zen philosophy keeping these unessential as part of one's life, we only weigh ourselves down with illusions and dreams.

If you or anyone faces Zen in its totality, it is like being punched in the face. It is not something you look for, or find, but just realize it has been there all along, and you have just been ignoring it. So I can imagine it is hard for ZenZero to answer your question directly.

Do you understand why?

I understand that he truly did some digging before jumping into it and didn't pick it just because it fit his life without making changes.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I understand that he truly did some digging before jumping into it and didn't pick it just because it fit his life without making changes.

Maybe so...
However, one thing I have learned is that some people simply pick up a book about Zen or hear directly from a teacher and with no prompting, digging, or effort they realize the truth.

Albeit, my personal opinion is truth can be found everywhere and sometimes when we find truth it is so beautiful we mistake the container we found that truth in as truth itself. Later loving only the container and not the truth within.

 

[zenzero]

Friend keeperofthe prison,

Am sorry to disappoint you as you have to read between the lines and understand what am pointing towards which friend Mike appears to have a natural ability/affinity for.
If have to respond to your question the way you want then you can understand that have to become a separate individual which is nothing but the *ego* and that is an illusion which *consciousness* does not allow the Satan in the form of the serpent to raise its head.
Yes, one has to go through the process of the mind to transcend it and having once reached a transcendental stage or when one has experienced *satori*, it is akin to walking on a razors edge as one can observe both the mind and the no-mind like one is in the centre of the pendulum from where both the dualities are equally available and true i.e. the mind [ego] and the no-mind [where thoughts are still]. Yes, one has to be in the centre as being born as a human being one has that developed mind which can also transcend it which is not available to any other being [except in rare cases, have heard].
Even if one takes a swing on either side it has to be in a very conscious mode so as not to be affected by its natural forces. [imaging the pendulum swing and is in motion only when it passes the centre does it go through a stage where it is still and not in motion but once in motion it has no power of its own.
Am sure the response must appear confusing as truth can only be pointed towards and not spoken off.
WHY??
One has to reach that state to understand/realize IT!
More as we go along.

Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Friend Mike,

truth can be found everywhere and sometimes when we find truth it is so beautiful

It surely Is as you mention!
You have spoken It beautifully.
[sorry cannot frubal NOW!]

Just to add that TRUTH is everywhere at ALL times. IT is HERE-NOW!
Just need to clear the dust away from our eyes like you mentioned Bruce Lee's words about the sculptor chipping away and truth lies within.

Love & rgds

 

[dawny0826]

I'm just curious to see if this forum has changed anyone into Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc.....

If so please tell your story. I for one would love to know if anyone has had their views changed. It seems to me that for every person with an intelligent comment (even on an opposing viewpoint) that there is another with something incredible irrelevant, idiotic, or even just trying to get in the way of a good discussion.

No. But it has influenced the manner in which I approach religion. I've learned alot while posting here.

 

[autonomous1one1]

Greetings. RFing may not convert one or change one, but may give understanding to help be One.