355. ZEN REMARKS

355. In the spiritual life, as Merton once remarked, we are always beginners. A Zen view of such a claim is that to walk the buddha path we should cultivate 'beginner's mind'. And so, after every meal, let us take care to 'wash our bowl'. 

354. ZEN REMARKS

354. How do we understand anatta? If we take it literally to mean no self whatsoever we get ourselves into all sorts of strife, both philosophically and practically. Why not interpret it to mean no independent, self-sufficient, autonomous self? 

353. ZEN REMARKS

353. What shift in consciousness might Zen help bring about? An embodied realization of the interdependence and interconnectedness of all things would be a good start. 

352. ZEN REMARKS

352. Joanna Macy has said something about our need for a 'shift of consciousness' if we are to face up to our urgent social and environmental problems, problems that our political leaders seem not to see. Perhaps Zen might have a role to play in helping to bring about such a shift. 

351. ZEN REMARKS

351. Many people are expressing fear about the future of planet earth and whether future generations will find it livable. Their fears are surely well founded. Accompanying these fears, however, is a sense of hopelessness. Does Zen have anything to offer that might give us some cause for confidence in the future? Is living responsibly and wisely in the present, and encouraging others to do the same, enough? Overcoming 'greed, hatred, and ignorance', even at the personal level, is difficult enough. How do this on a scale that will be effective in dealing with the environmental and social problems that are causing us so much anguish? Here I recall something Heidegger said about only a god can save us. But Zen people seem rather shy about any talk of an all powerful and all caring deity. 

350. ZEN REMARKS

350. A simple lifestyle, lived close to nature, resisting the attractions of consumerism, relying on a vegetarian diet and renewable energy sources -- would seem that Zen practice might be able to help out here. 

349. ZEN REMARKS

349. Sengcan declares that 'the Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences'. He goes on to say that 'if craving and hatred are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised'. So what are my preferences? What do I crave?