Enlightenment enshitenment

With driving a car, loosen works, letting go of the wheel -- no good.

I got the point of the Adya story, but I can see how it's confusing if taken literally.

I like paradoxical metaphors better. One that is used by ACT therapists* regarding anxiety and control is the quicksand metaphor. You see, anxiety is like quicksand in that the more you struggle the faster you sink, and the more anxious you get as a result. In other words, drop the struggle!

I think that relates to what he was trying to say.

-awouldbehipster

Pithy sayings are good too.

I like this one:

"whatever you resist, persists."

In this case you can actually let go of the wheel because "God" is driving, and you can trust him to take you where you need to go. Be a passenger, let life unfold! And somehow (@Mike, cuz I know you'll say it! ) that doesn't mean lie back in a coma on the couch! My faithy, religiousy, surrendery take on it.

(eta: for me it means that flowy feeling you've mentioned? those gut feelings? just follow them, let them carry you, let the flow happen. when we try to "make it happen" it ruins it, just as grasping at bliss states makes them vanish and fighting unpleasant states doesn't make them go away.)

you can't imagine how hard I'm laughing at this conversation...

Ajahn Munindo likes the steering wheel metaphor, but in his case it's to illustrate how if you hold too loosely, the car drifts out of control, and if you hold too tightly, you can't respond to circumstances. I feel like the difference between Right Steering-wheel-holding (surely the 9th fold of the eightfold path) and letting the Dao direct the car along its natural course is a very telling distinction.

Zen teacher Grace Shireson to my friend Tom:

"You know how people say, 'everything is fine just the way it is?' Well, they're wrong."

I posted that because I like the non "spiritual sounding" ness of it.

Zen teacher Grace Shireson to my friend Tom:
"You know how people say, 'everything is fine just the way it is?' Well, they're wrong."

I posted that because I like the non "spiritual sounding" ness of it.

-michaelmonson

You know what I love about this? The fact that another Zen teacher, upon hearing that quote, is boud to come up with another zippy one-liner that contradicts her point.

Those Zennies keep us on our toes, don't they?

I also love what I think is a quote from Maezumi, and instruction for zen students:

"See with your ears and hear with your eyes."

I just love it. Not sure why, exactly. I think because, for me, it empties me out.

And a friend of mine described practice in bicycling terms. In the beginning you need lots of instructions and training wheels. Later you ride best when you just ride without thinking: in balance, lightly adjusting (without even thinking) as you rumble over rough ground. Grabbing the brakes or oversteering ruins the ride.

My dad's significant sayings:

"Before speaking, always ask yourself these three questions: is it kind? is it true? is it necessary?"

"Someday, this will all be bullshit"

And, his advice on how to win at poker:

"Get a lot of aces."

My dad's significant sayings:
"Before speaking, always ask yourself these three questions: is it kind? is it true? is it necessary?"
"Someday, this will all be bullshit"
And, his advice on how to win at poker:
"Get a lot of aces."



-michaelmonson

-- so your dad was a Buddhist?

That's pretty decent advice. The only one I recall at the moment is "Keep your eye on the ball." (literally, during batting practice)

-- so your dad was a Buddhist?

-kategowen

That's a funny thought!
No, he is 85-years-old, a child of the depression and a WWII vet with a purple heart with no real religious or spiritual background or interest. I doubt he could even state the basic tenents of Buddhism. When my mom drug us four kids off to church three times a week he stayed home while we prayed for him -- because the poor bastard was surely going to hell because he wouldn't accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior.

(though I think a couple of years ago he might've told me he was developing some kind of belief in God -- I'm not sure)

here is his blog:

http://prunepicker.blogspot.com/

Your 85 year old dad can use a computer???

Thanks, Chris.

Yes, Ona, he uses a computer and is a master of all the various programs.

And, he is still driving himself all over the country to visit relatives, graves, and music festivals. But, apparently, square dancing has gotten the better of him lately.

You know, at some point all the bullshit that comes along with being me becomes obvious and needs to be dropped. The hindrance that me is - that's what's preventing the natural expression of the universe that lives in, around, and through this body and mind. Psychology, dharma, that's all nice but those are still words and concepts. What matters is right here and right now, and how that is or is not allowed to express itself. It is ALWAYS expressing itself. I may or may not be open to it. That's the Big Difference, IMHO.



-cmarti

Totally-- and when "the hindrance that me is" becomes open enough to let life live-- it's been opened completely. There's nothing left there, just Universe, World, reality, whatever you want to call it. Ultimately all I can be is redundant, like a commentary trailing after the flow of life "oh now he's making a sandwich, oh just then he experienced emptiness, oh now he's going to the bathroom". It's like the two dogs in the old cartoon: "I" am like the little one that's hopping all over the place, making a big deal about everything, while Life, the big dog, just goes about its business.

Our bro, Hokai Sobol on this very topic:

http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2011/05/upgrading-to-a-post-traditional-buddhism/