I finally finished A New Earth. It was kinda heady and I thought he took too long to make his point. The last chapter really summed it up nicely, however.
I enjoyed his discussion of the expanding Universe and how physicists believe it will eventually reverse. It was a very enlightening thought.
After 309 pages, the best thing I got out of it was what he refers to as the 3 Modalities of Awakened Doing. I rather called them 3 ways to deal with the physical world: Acceptance, Enjoyment or Enthusiasm. I am not so sure that his idea of not doing anything you can't do with acceptance, enjoyment or enthusiasm is practical. At the best, all we can do is put some things off until we can accept we have to do them.
I leave you with this thought:
Today, I am identifying myself, everyone else, and everything I do with the Divine Presence. I am not trying to influence people, I am not holding thoughts to make things happen, I am not concentrating divine energies for any purpose whatsoever. Rather, I am still, knowing that God is over all, in all, and through all. Through my affirmation, I am watching, expecting, and knowing that there will be a reaction through whatever I identify with my word. Therefore, I am at ease, I am relaxed, I am at peace. I affirm the Divine Presence and Its manifestations of happiness, prosperity, and well-being for everyone.
-Scienceofmind.com
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Seeking Answers
For those who are seeking, some thoughts to consider:
Today, I acknowledge those who have taught me while seeing that I am as they are, a teacher and guide to others who look to me. I remain open to new learning as I share what I know, drawing from Infinite Mind.
-scienceofmind.com
In the old days, when I first met my teacher Wuzu, I blurted out my realization and presented it to him. It was all words and phrases and intellectual points, all empty talk of "buddhadharma" and "essence of mind" and "mystic marvels."
What I got in return was my old teacher citing a couple of dry phrases: "The verbal and the nonverbal are like vines clinging to a tree." At first I shook this saying back and forth, using my verbal cleverness. Then I began to theorize and expound principles. There were no lengths to which I did not go in the end, as I tried to escape the dilemma he had posed everything I brought up was included in it. Eventually I began to weep without realizing it. Still, I was never able to get into this saying at all. Again and again I earnestly tried to concentrate on it.
At that point my teacher told me, "You should just put an end to all your arbitrary views and understandings and judgments. When you have cleansed them away all at once, you will naturally gain insight."
- Yuanwu (1063-1135)
Think of a window:
it's a hole in a wall but through it
the whole room fills with light.
Similarly, when the mind is open
and free from his own thoughts,
life unfolds effortlessly,
and the world is filled with light.
Chuang Tzu
deeshan.com
Today, I acknowledge those who have taught me while seeing that I am as they are, a teacher and guide to others who look to me. I remain open to new learning as I share what I know, drawing from Infinite Mind.
-scienceofmind.com
In the old days, when I first met my teacher Wuzu, I blurted out my realization and presented it to him. It was all words and phrases and intellectual points, all empty talk of "buddhadharma" and "essence of mind" and "mystic marvels."
What I got in return was my old teacher citing a couple of dry phrases: "The verbal and the nonverbal are like vines clinging to a tree." At first I shook this saying back and forth, using my verbal cleverness. Then I began to theorize and expound principles. There were no lengths to which I did not go in the end, as I tried to escape the dilemma he had posed everything I brought up was included in it. Eventually I began to weep without realizing it. Still, I was never able to get into this saying at all. Again and again I earnestly tried to concentrate on it.
At that point my teacher told me, "You should just put an end to all your arbitrary views and understandings and judgments. When you have cleansed them away all at once, you will naturally gain insight."
- Yuanwu (1063-1135)
Think of a window:
it's a hole in a wall but through it
the whole room fills with light.
Similarly, when the mind is open
and free from his own thoughts,
life unfolds effortlessly,
and the world is filled with light.
Chuang Tzu
deeshan.com
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