DreadFish
Cosmic Vagabond
THIRTY MINUTES TO ENLIGHTENMENT
**********
THE DEMYSTIFICATION OF ZEN
A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REALIZATION OF NIRVANA.
A POST CULTURAL, POST EXISTENTIAL, ZEN ENCOUNTER.
THE FOLLOWING ZEN ENCOUNTER HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO ENLIGHTEN YOU TO THE CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND CONFLICT AND WILL EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAN ELIMINATE THAT CAUSE FROM THE MIND.
CHAPTER CONTENTS
(1) THE TAO
(2) ZEN
(3) ENLIGHTENMENT AND SATORI
(4) NIRVANA
(5) THE CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND CONFLICT
(6) THE EGO AND SUPER-EGO
(7) SENSUAL PERCEPTION
(8) LOVE AND HATE
(9) THE CENTERED MIND
(10) FREEDOM FROM DESIRE
(11) THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
(12) PERFECT-LESS-NESS
(13) THEREFORE
(14) IN CONCLUSION
(15) ZEN ENLIGHTENMENT IN A NUTSHELL
ONE
The "tao"
The chinese word tao is used in an attempt to identify by name that nameless energy-substance we call physical and non-physical reality in all of its manifestations, both known and unknown. That which we call the tao exists with or without our experiential perception, affirmation or negation of it and exists aside from any conceptual vocabulary describing it. Separated mentally from it, we call it the tao, eden or reality. Reunited with it, there is no need. The way to being psychologically at one with the tao can be known and stated. The tao itself can only be experienced. The way for the mind to be once again at one with the tao is not difficult. Only our lack of desire for the truth concerning the cause of human suffering and conflict and how to eliminate that cause from the mind, keeps us from it. Those who know the way, point directly to the truth of the matter and do so namelessly.
TWO
Zen
It must first be understood that zen is a means to psychological transformation and not a religion. Zen is the teaching that identifies and eliminates the "gateless" gates that psychologically exist between the schizophrenic, cultural- existential mind, and a state of mind at one with the tao, called nirvana. Zen does not represent nirvana, nor the tao, but represents the means to be at one with those ends. Zen is the method of travel, nirvana the destination.
Zen consists of two parts. They are Enlightenment and "Satori," Enlightenment being the necessary ingredient for the realization of Satori. If there is no Enlightenment, there can be no Satori and consequently no Nirvana.
THREE
Enlightenment and Satori
The word "Enlightenment", as used in this text, is to know of human suffering and conflict, to know its cause, and how to eliminate that cause from the mind. The word "Satori," as used, is the consequence of this Enlightenment and is our affirmative commitment to eliminate from the mind, the cause of confusion, conflict and insanity, once known, and the relative time necessary to do so. If the reason for committing ourselves to eliminating the cause of suffering from the mind is out of compassion for our own suffering or for our own gains, we will experience a pseudo-satori, which is pretentious and no Satori at all. If the reason for our commitment is out of compassion for all suffering, of which our own suffering is but a part, and for no personal gains, our Satori is "eliminating the cause of suffering and conflict from the mind" is accomplished the same way we would eliminate any unwanted habitual activity. When the habitual response occurs, we must discipline ourselves to correct that response each time it happens. In time there will be no habit to correct. It must be understood by all involved in zen, that Satori is a private, personal matter and must remain so. Satori must never be bragged about or demanded of others. Your Satori, or lack of it, is the business of no one.
FOUR
Nirvana
Nirvana is a state of mind free of the causes of human suffering and conflict, is the consequence of Enlightenment and Satori, and is mind at one with the tao. Nirvana is mind unencumbered by evaluation, comparison and discrimination. It is a mind peacefully at one with all things. This non-judgemental mind is one of sensual experience of, and spontaneous participation in the tao.
FIVE
The cause of human suffering and conflict
The cause of human suffering and conflict is our commitment to the illusions we call values, morals and ethics. Values, morals and ethics do not exist outside of our cultural- existential minds. They do not exist in reality and are therefore a figment of our culturally and existentially indoctrinated imagination. We believe or think values exist when in fact they do not. This describes the schizophrenic mind. The schizophrenic mind is separated from reality and centered in unreality or what psychologists call fantasy, believing this fantasy to be real. Cultural/existential humanity exists entirely within the framework of illusionary values, morals and ethics and is therefore absolutely schizophrenic. We are either affirmatively committed to the existence of values, morals and ethics or we are not. If we are committed to the existence of values, morals and ethics, we are schizophrenic and consequently insane. If we are not committed to values, morals and ethics, then confusion, conflict and insanity are not a part of our psychological nature. The term insane is used to describe the personal and social actions of the schizophrenic personality. There can be no conflict without the values of right or wrong being offended or defended. There can be no guilt or repression without the values of right or wrong, good or bad having been applied. There can be no psychological neurosis or psychosis without the fears associated with the loss or gain of that valued. There can be no anxiety without the anticipation or expectation concerning future uncertainties about success or failure. There can be no frustration without a desired goal being thwarted. The illusionary concepts of values, morals and ethics exist so that we may judge, separate and divide, and then pit the one side against the other. This enables the persons involved to feel either superior or inferior as the case may be. This is the underlying motivation for all cultural-existential activity. Due to the divisive and conflicting nature of duality, cultural/existential humanity can be described as being not only sociopathic (anti-social) in its attitude and response to humankind, but also psychopathic (aggressively anti-social) much of that time. Since confusion, conflict and insanity are the consequence of our commitment to values, morals and ethics, and peace exists when there is no confusion, conflict or insanity present, it can be concluded that peace is the consequence of having no values, no morals and no ethics. If values, morals and ethics are the direct cause of all human suffering and conflict and do not exist in the tao/eden/reality, and if peace and sanity are to be realized, we must refuse to take part in their use.
NOTE: Not everyone is in total agreement to what is present in FIVE, above. For an alternate view and further discussion please click HERE
SIX
The ego and super-ego
The ego is defined as a primary state of mind, at one with reality, having no conscience and is consciously aware of "i am" and "it is". The "super-ego" is a secondary state of mind, not existing at birth, but originating at the moment of our affirmative commitment to values, morals and ethics and only then after intensive cultural/existential indoctrination, creates ego conscience, and is mind self-consciously aware of "i am more or less than" and "it is more or less than". The "ego" perceives reality as it is. The super-ego places values, morals and ethics on that perception. The "super-ego" is the psychological judge, jury and keeper of prison of the cultural/existential mind. The cultural mind and the existential mind are both rooted in super-ego function, stated by their values, morals and ethics. The difference being, the cultural mind speaks of "our" values and the existential mind speaks of "my" values. The post cultural/existential, reality centered mind speaks of "no" values. Zen, as represented by Enlightenment and Satori, is in direct opposition of the fascistic/dictatorial control the super-ego has over the mind of the individual and over the cultural pattern. Zen, as presented, is the mortal enemy of the cultural/existential super-ego. Zen, is the mortal enemy of any individual, organization or religion committed to the illusion that is values, morals or ethics.
SEVEN
Sensual
Our senses are perceiving reality with mindless perfection. Do not miss this sensual excitment by placing value, moral or ethical mindfulness in the path of this non-dualistic experience. See with your eyes, not with your dualistic mind's eye. When our illusionary dualistic mind enters, we no longer see things as they are but as our culturally and existentially indoctrinated, prejudicial mind's eye would like them to be.
Eight
Love and hate
Love and hate are the emotional, mental/verbal responses to valuableness. First we value, then we love or hate accordingly. Without value there can be no love or hate. No desire for it. No anxiety, frustration or anger because of it. Love is inherently hateful. The reality centered mind is neither loving nor hateful but is to the contrary, compassionately understanding of and towards all things.
**********
THE DEMYSTIFICATION OF ZEN
A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REALIZATION OF NIRVANA.
A POST CULTURAL, POST EXISTENTIAL, ZEN ENCOUNTER.
THE FOLLOWING ZEN ENCOUNTER HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO ENLIGHTEN YOU TO THE CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND CONFLICT AND WILL EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAN ELIMINATE THAT CAUSE FROM THE MIND.
CHAPTER CONTENTS
(1) THE TAO
(2) ZEN
(3) ENLIGHTENMENT AND SATORI
(4) NIRVANA
(5) THE CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND CONFLICT
(6) THE EGO AND SUPER-EGO
(7) SENSUAL PERCEPTION
(8) LOVE AND HATE
(9) THE CENTERED MIND
(10) FREEDOM FROM DESIRE
(11) THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
(12) PERFECT-LESS-NESS
(13) THEREFORE
(14) IN CONCLUSION
(15) ZEN ENLIGHTENMENT IN A NUTSHELL
ONE
The "tao"
The chinese word tao is used in an attempt to identify by name that nameless energy-substance we call physical and non-physical reality in all of its manifestations, both known and unknown. That which we call the tao exists with or without our experiential perception, affirmation or negation of it and exists aside from any conceptual vocabulary describing it. Separated mentally from it, we call it the tao, eden or reality. Reunited with it, there is no need. The way to being psychologically at one with the tao can be known and stated. The tao itself can only be experienced. The way for the mind to be once again at one with the tao is not difficult. Only our lack of desire for the truth concerning the cause of human suffering and conflict and how to eliminate that cause from the mind, keeps us from it. Those who know the way, point directly to the truth of the matter and do so namelessly.
TWO
Zen
It must first be understood that zen is a means to psychological transformation and not a religion. Zen is the teaching that identifies and eliminates the "gateless" gates that psychologically exist between the schizophrenic, cultural- existential mind, and a state of mind at one with the tao, called nirvana. Zen does not represent nirvana, nor the tao, but represents the means to be at one with those ends. Zen is the method of travel, nirvana the destination.
Zen consists of two parts. They are Enlightenment and "Satori," Enlightenment being the necessary ingredient for the realization of Satori. If there is no Enlightenment, there can be no Satori and consequently no Nirvana.
THREE
Enlightenment and Satori
The word "Enlightenment", as used in this text, is to know of human suffering and conflict, to know its cause, and how to eliminate that cause from the mind. The word "Satori," as used, is the consequence of this Enlightenment and is our affirmative commitment to eliminate from the mind, the cause of confusion, conflict and insanity, once known, and the relative time necessary to do so. If the reason for committing ourselves to eliminating the cause of suffering from the mind is out of compassion for our own suffering or for our own gains, we will experience a pseudo-satori, which is pretentious and no Satori at all. If the reason for our commitment is out of compassion for all suffering, of which our own suffering is but a part, and for no personal gains, our Satori is "eliminating the cause of suffering and conflict from the mind" is accomplished the same way we would eliminate any unwanted habitual activity. When the habitual response occurs, we must discipline ourselves to correct that response each time it happens. In time there will be no habit to correct. It must be understood by all involved in zen, that Satori is a private, personal matter and must remain so. Satori must never be bragged about or demanded of others. Your Satori, or lack of it, is the business of no one.
FOUR
Nirvana
Nirvana is a state of mind free of the causes of human suffering and conflict, is the consequence of Enlightenment and Satori, and is mind at one with the tao. Nirvana is mind unencumbered by evaluation, comparison and discrimination. It is a mind peacefully at one with all things. This non-judgemental mind is one of sensual experience of, and spontaneous participation in the tao.
FIVE
The cause of human suffering and conflict
The cause of human suffering and conflict is our commitment to the illusions we call values, morals and ethics. Values, morals and ethics do not exist outside of our cultural- existential minds. They do not exist in reality and are therefore a figment of our culturally and existentially indoctrinated imagination. We believe or think values exist when in fact they do not. This describes the schizophrenic mind. The schizophrenic mind is separated from reality and centered in unreality or what psychologists call fantasy, believing this fantasy to be real. Cultural/existential humanity exists entirely within the framework of illusionary values, morals and ethics and is therefore absolutely schizophrenic. We are either affirmatively committed to the existence of values, morals and ethics or we are not. If we are committed to the existence of values, morals and ethics, we are schizophrenic and consequently insane. If we are not committed to values, morals and ethics, then confusion, conflict and insanity are not a part of our psychological nature. The term insane is used to describe the personal and social actions of the schizophrenic personality. There can be no conflict without the values of right or wrong being offended or defended. There can be no guilt or repression without the values of right or wrong, good or bad having been applied. There can be no psychological neurosis or psychosis without the fears associated with the loss or gain of that valued. There can be no anxiety without the anticipation or expectation concerning future uncertainties about success or failure. There can be no frustration without a desired goal being thwarted. The illusionary concepts of values, morals and ethics exist so that we may judge, separate and divide, and then pit the one side against the other. This enables the persons involved to feel either superior or inferior as the case may be. This is the underlying motivation for all cultural-existential activity. Due to the divisive and conflicting nature of duality, cultural/existential humanity can be described as being not only sociopathic (anti-social) in its attitude and response to humankind, but also psychopathic (aggressively anti-social) much of that time. Since confusion, conflict and insanity are the consequence of our commitment to values, morals and ethics, and peace exists when there is no confusion, conflict or insanity present, it can be concluded that peace is the consequence of having no values, no morals and no ethics. If values, morals and ethics are the direct cause of all human suffering and conflict and do not exist in the tao/eden/reality, and if peace and sanity are to be realized, we must refuse to take part in their use.
NOTE: Not everyone is in total agreement to what is present in FIVE, above. For an alternate view and further discussion please click HERE
SIX
The ego and super-ego
The ego is defined as a primary state of mind, at one with reality, having no conscience and is consciously aware of "i am" and "it is". The "super-ego" is a secondary state of mind, not existing at birth, but originating at the moment of our affirmative commitment to values, morals and ethics and only then after intensive cultural/existential indoctrination, creates ego conscience, and is mind self-consciously aware of "i am more or less than" and "it is more or less than". The "ego" perceives reality as it is. The super-ego places values, morals and ethics on that perception. The "super-ego" is the psychological judge, jury and keeper of prison of the cultural/existential mind. The cultural mind and the existential mind are both rooted in super-ego function, stated by their values, morals and ethics. The difference being, the cultural mind speaks of "our" values and the existential mind speaks of "my" values. The post cultural/existential, reality centered mind speaks of "no" values. Zen, as represented by Enlightenment and Satori, is in direct opposition of the fascistic/dictatorial control the super-ego has over the mind of the individual and over the cultural pattern. Zen, as presented, is the mortal enemy of the cultural/existential super-ego. Zen, is the mortal enemy of any individual, organization or religion committed to the illusion that is values, morals or ethics.
SEVEN
Sensual
Our senses are perceiving reality with mindless perfection. Do not miss this sensual excitment by placing value, moral or ethical mindfulness in the path of this non-dualistic experience. See with your eyes, not with your dualistic mind's eye. When our illusionary dualistic mind enters, we no longer see things as they are but as our culturally and existentially indoctrinated, prejudicial mind's eye would like them to be.
Eight
Love and hate
Love and hate are the emotional, mental/verbal responses to valuableness. First we value, then we love or hate accordingly. Without value there can be no love or hate. No desire for it. No anxiety, frustration or anger because of it. Love is inherently hateful. The reality centered mind is neither loving nor hateful but is to the contrary, compassionately understanding of and towards all things.
