REFLECTION JUNE 5

Daily Reflection: CARING FOR THE BODY

In an article entitled: "A Buddhist Approach to the Ecological
Crisis", Michio Shinozaki draws a distinction between a well-worn
concept in Asian Dharma, that of  naturalism, and the predominant
ideology of the post-modern West, that of techno-rationality. The
first holds that "Nature is the ideal, in the process of eternal
return, and humans are part of this rhythm. ...the correction of the
separation of nature and humans, ...affirming notions of animism, and
pantheism". The second extracts and abstracts humans from nature,
granting them the capacity, in fact urging them, to comprehend,
manipulate and, ultimately, control Nature.

Shinozaki urges us not to rely on either of these positions, since
"naturalism" is ignorant of the historical, cultural and social
contexts of the world. He describes this view, very common in Zen, as
incapable of engaging with the world, relying instead on a naive
trust that nature will take care of everything. He also reminds us
that techno-rationalism, the prevailing ideology of politicians,
scientists and technocrats all over the world, needs to be approached
with caution , since it is largely our reliance on this which has
lead us to the eco-disaster in which we finds ourselves.

from Akashaloka,
Ray Innen Parchelo

COMMENT ON REFLECTION - JUNE 4

The ego has good intentions for it clings to what it knows and
therefore can direct your thoughts over and over again, but, when you
recognize this then there is a moment of space and choice of thoughts,
action etc, and therein lies the opportunity to be more skillful. Is it
possible that this is what you are doing before you try to analyze You? In
that moment of space is this possibly the non-self the Buddha refers to?

Than you both for your reflections
Eleanor

REFLECTION JUNE 4- DON

I'd like to continue my reflection on non-self.  The Heart of Perfect Wisdom
states, "No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, MIND.  It is on the topic of the
mind that I would like to reflect.

Who wrote that last sentence?  I did.  Who is I?

Buddhist teaching tells us that as we develop on our journey to
enlightenment we begin to realize the ego is the cause of much of our
suffering.  I want this, I don't want that.  The ego spends much of your
brain power trying to support itself.  Boost itself up.  Confirm that it is
right.  If, however, we apply our practice effectively we can realize that
the "I" is transitory.  Your thoughts dart around in many directions so you
can't point to the "I" that is the CPU of your thoughts.  Once you've
realized that the ego, the I is the cause of so much suffering, and does not
permanently exist, you can dedicate more of your brain power to cultivating
wholesome skills and further your journey to enlightenment rather than
supporting your ego.

I understand this concept, but I have not yet "internalized" it.  I'm still
struggling with this one.  The difficulty for me is that yes, "I" can be
transitory, but something in my head must be controlling the direction it
takes.  How can I formulate thoughts on a discussion such as this without
being able to control and organize my thoughts.  Who, or what is controlling
them?  I consciously decide to challenge myself with topics like this.  I
control my mind (some of the time).  So my difficulty is, how can we say
that non-self can be extended to the mind?  Some "constant" is controlling
it, isn't it?

I leave you with that thought, or lack of thought, or ego-driven resistance
to the Dharma.  The path to enlightenment is not easy, but it is rewarding!

Don today, gone tomorrow.

REFLECTION JUNE 3 - INNEN

DATE: June 3, 2008

Daily Reflection: CARING FOR THE BODY

One way of viewing this precept is through the metaphor that the Buddha himself used numerous times, that of the raft. Of course he used it to refer to the raft of teachings, saying we need not carry the teaching once the opposite shore, that is nirvana, is reached. We might borrow that image, however.
We might see the body as the vehicle for our awakening, which takes us to the other shore, and which we must care for, as one would for the raft that offers salvation from disaster. We ought not invest much energy in decoration or accommodation, in fiddling with the deck-chairs, as it were. Nevertheless, we ought make sure it can fulfil its purpose - getting to the other side. Its not much use if we sink half way across!
To borrow another metaphor, this time from Seung Sahn. In The Compass of Zen,
he refers to the body as a "rental car". One wants it to be in good working order to ensure the journey is complete, the destination is reached. One need not worry if the air conditioning is functioning nor the power windows.

from Akashaloka,
Ray Innen Parchelo

REFLECTION JUNE 2 - DON

This month's topic for reflection offers many exciting exploration
opportunities.  As a Buddhist I struggle with many concepts and the body is
one of them.

The concept of non-self was a difficult one for me to get my head around.
The fact that I am part of the greater Universe; that I am what I am only
for this instant, and after each instant I have changed ... everything is
changing including the elements of your body; even my thoughts and emotions
are fleeting ... and therein lies emptiness.  The Heart of Perfect Wisdom
states, "No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind.  No colour, sound, smell,
taste, touch nor what the mind takes hold of, not even act of sensing."
This leads to all sorts of questions (which I plan on exploring in later
reflections), but what I'd like to do today is to provide my interpretation
of how I see the concept of the body and non-self.

After reflecting on the Dharma over the last few years I now envision the
body of Don as a sort of vacuum cleaner.  As Don walks through life Don
sucks up material through eating, drinking and breathing.  Don may keep some
material, and may get rid of some material through expiration and
elimination.  So this body is changing every second because the elements
that make up Don are changing every second.  How can I point to Don today,
and say it is the same Don tomorrow when the very constituents that make up
Don change from day to day?

I now see the concept of impermanence, as it related to the body, very
differently now.  My body is a temple in light of the miracle of
perpetuating organization it is capable of.  But this temple is transient /
impermanent.  This is one aspect of non-self that I'm now comfortable with.


Thanks to the RMS, the Buddha, the Dharma and all the Bodhisattvas for this
insight, which has helped me immensely.  OK, not "me", but this Don thing
that is .... impermanent.
from Don P.

REFLECTION JUNE 1

DATE: May 3, 2008
Daily Reflection: CARING FOR BODY

Our topic for the month of June is the precept:
"to care for this body gently, respectfully and with minimal technological interference."
Don and I will alternate with Eleanor jumping in once/week.

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This is an interesting precept because of the ambivalence in Dharma history over one’s attitude to the body. In the early Theravada literature we see frequent phrases such as "heap of pus" to describe the body. One gets a sense of the early Catholic church and its detestation of the flesh. Later, especially in Tibetan schools, bodily experience is praised as a means to be awakened. In its most extreme form, there is a rather heretical style of practice that encourages sexual relations, in a highly structured way, to reach states of awareness.
In Western Dharma, we have to contend with our own puritanical and dualistic, flesh/spirit thinking to deal with. Many Asian teachers are surprised at how problematic Westerners relationships with their own bodies have become.
A special dimension of this issue is our very skewed attitude to the decay of the physical body, in illness and death. This month we’ll explore these.
An associated issue is the final phrase, "minimal technological interference", which is unique to our phrasing of the precepts. We’ll explore that as well.
We hope all our readers and commentators enjoy this topic and join in to make it a lively and illuminating month.
from Akashaloka,
Ray Innen Parchelo