Not exactly. There is no thing that you can want that is zen. The wanting, the “I,” the “I wanting” separate you from what actually is. If there is anything to be called zen it is non seperation.

“when you really want to know who you are or what the real significance of human life very naturally you return to silence..this silence is vast..like spring water endlessly coming up out of the earth..where does this spring water come?….This is where you have to sit down." dianin katagiri roshi

I only benefited by my early Vipassana silences with Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield @ Barre, Mass. Their explicit guidance an excellent foundation. Ultimately I’ve come to roam the vast space of zazen, “shikantaza.”🙏

Buddhism’s root source of what many know as mindfulness. Vipassana practice generally more thoroughgoing than what has been variously adapted and popularized as “mindfulness”

Yes and yes. Buddhism is non theistic. Shakyamuni, the historic buddha, was a man not a god. the qualities he possessed and practices he taught can be experienced by all sentient beings. Once enlightened, each then strive to relieve the sufferings of all other beings.

That is only mind’s game. Chi still flows.

Except this is not so. At the phenomenal level acts can be good, bad, or neutral depending intent or effect. Does it harm, cause suffering? aid, prevent or relieve suffering? effects may be subtle or obvious, immediate or delayed, intention or inadvertent. At absolute level, no self, no karma. 🧘🏽

I can only happily offer a 54yr old, 46yr old and a 9 yr old

Jimmy would be the first to agree. 🙏

In fairness, no “fight” exists in Buddhism. While clinging or avoiding desired or undesired “thoughts, feelings, perceptions,” is the raw material of suffering, rather than “fighting,” i.e. suppressing or avoiding we begin with generosity, patience, compassion for our deluded self. 🙏

Or perhaps allow the wild horse its free range while you abide right here, right now in silent stillness, immersed in clarity, awareness. The horse will eventually slow, even occasionally quietly rest. “Give no thought to thoughts, gently return to breath breathing breath.” 🧘🏽

Yes, in broadest sense this meets a most general description of mediation, cultivating such mindfulness is life enhancing. Yet, the clarity and awareness resting in silent stillness, when the veil created by our doing, thinking, being is removed, is of another degree. 🧘🏽

Strictly speaking,known hormetic mitochondrial benefits is limited to pretty intense physical stressors; ice bath, sauna, physical exercising to an anaerobic level, etc. But I freely extend it to pursuits of intellectual rigor and attention, such as you’ve chosen, as surely “anti-atrophy”🙏

Shirin-yoku has an element of non-preferential mindfulness that can cultivate a deepened sense of connection to the forest, something many of us are sadly without. This connecting has objectively measurable good effects on heart rate, blood pressure, sense of well being. No harm can come of it. 🙏

whenever we evoke non-lethal stressors (you’ve mentioned meditation, a fundamental challenge to ego-driven identity narrative) there is potential to nurture resilience at cellular/mitochondrial level, neural and other. This is known as hormesis

Next, go with Lodge cast iron pizza pan, heat it as oven preheats ~30 min. indestructible at ~1/3 price.

Our 6th annual Solstice Spiral with friends, neighbors and fire dancers. All dark regrets into the fire, Now the light shall return.

Nor I

Outsider? Define outsider. Dude’s on the inside looking out. F**k’d-up.

Serious question: Why are white people so afraid of becoming a minority? Does America treat minorities badly or something?

And a heart

🙏

THIS is how it’s done, folks.

Marriage or monastery?
Either a rock tumbler.
With time and any grit,
Emerge with fewer sharp edges.

🙏

For nearly half of One Hundred Years, I’ve fallen back into Macondo’s tragic beauty, rereading ~each decade. “facing the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember when his father took him to discover ice...”

even if this series captures not a drop of Gabo’s painted prose, I’m in.

Did so 2yrs ago, have done just fine outside the sewer.

It’s been years, I don’t even know if that’s still offered? More recently again enjoyed the baths, only a bit disappointed by the spa modernization

i hope i die
warmed
by the life that i tried
to live

— Nikki Giovanni

Ojo Caliente. I hope you soaked a bit after the horseback. 🙏

🙏