[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Edgar and Joe, I don't know how it is now, but back in the 'good old days' (which in my case is the 1960's) zen centers operated on a pretty sparse budget. I was involved with two during that time, one intimately and over close to a 10-year period and the other casually and only over a 1+ year

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Edgar and Joe, I forgot to mention that both centers also had a full-time, live-in program. It was primarily for those that aspired to be or were already Buddhist monks. Some of these lived near the center on their own but some stayed at the center full-time. And of course the senior monks a

Re: [Zen] "Zen" biographies...

 ah..merle   Merle, We were talking about Tony Bennett. He is a "singa", where he comes from. Pardon the dialect joke! --Joe PS Not lost on ALL ears, I hope. Tough room! > Merle Lester wrote: >   > chinese beer..thank you ..merle >   > Merle, > > > What's sa mattuh?, you don't like SI

Re: [Zen] Re: the cost

 did i snap joe?...must have been the dragon in me.. i do make my apologies. merle   Merle, Just wondered what made you snap at me: thought it must have been something you ate. But your meal sounds really good. Must have been something else. I let it go. Memory of my lunch is also gone

Re: [Zen] the way

meaning?..merle   Merle, If THAT'S Art, I quit. --Joe > Merle Lester wrote: > > i thought male politicians had it down to an art form!,,merle

Re: [Zen] Re: the zen spirit

 what question?..merle   Merle, I put the question to you, then. Run with it; but don't run away. --J. > Merle Lester wrote: > > i am the master...merle >   > > Merle, > > > > When you meet the master, put that question THEN. > > > > --Joe

Re: [Zen] the way

 hey hey boys careful now...merle   Edgar, Are you CRAZY? That's like poking a stick in a hornet's nest! ...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Edgar Owen wrote: > > Joe, > > If there are other women here they are being awfully silent. > > Speak up ladies! > > Edgar > > > > On

[Zen] Re: the zen spirit

Joe, Good luck. I've seen this dodge before..Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  what question?..merle >   > Merle, > > I put the question to you, then. > > Run with it; but don't run away. > > --J. > > > Merle Lester wrote: > > > > i am the master...m

Re: [Zen] zen spirit..in the mall

Merle, Congratulatory hugs are in order for our compatriot Bill! Edgar On Nov 20, 2012, at 11:26 PM, Merle Lester wrote: > > > a win at last...merle > > > > Merle, > > Yes, we both caught this. Bill has FINALLY agreed with what we've been trying > to tell him - that Zen must be in ev

Re: [Zen] the way

Yes, I stand corrected! :-) Edgar On Nov 20, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Merle Lester wrote: > > > i thought male politicians had it down to an art form!,,merle > > > No Merle, only women contradict themselves! > :-) > > Edgar > > > > On Nov 20, 2012, at 5:14 PM, Merle Lester wrote: > >> >

Re: [Zen] zen spirit..in the mall

Joe, Yes, that's your problem that "you are not amused". Merle and I know that reality is one big joke! I was born April 1st and life has been one big April Fool's joke after another in which nothing has been what it originally seemed to be. Lighten up and try smiling and laughing like crazy f

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Suresh, Good post. Yes, there is only one guru (though I prefer the word teacher because guru has become equated with charlatan in Western terminology though I understand not in Indian language). Reality is the only guru, and any part of reality is enough to teach realization. The attachmen

Re: [Zen] the zen spirit

LOL! A great excuse. You should take a job as PR advisor for corrupt gurus. There will be plenty of money to go around... Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:41 AM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar, > > That could be a legitimate tactic if it's the only way (or a good way) to get > people to gain an a

Re: [Zen] the way

Bill, I have more faith in women than you do... Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:43 AM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar, > > Are you CRAZY? That's like poking a stick in a hornet's nest! > > ...Bill! > > --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Edgar Owen wrote: > > > > Joe, > > > > If there are other women h

Re: [Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

LOL! How true. I paid nothing and I got MU! Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:45 AM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar, > > Well you know the old saying..."You get what you pay for." > > --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Edgar Owen wrote: > > > > Joe, > > > > O, I do know a few things about him that you'v

Re: [Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Joe, A great quote from Gandhi. Thanks for that! Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 1:43 AM, Joe wrote: > Bill!, Edgar, > > Right, Bill! > > Now, I don't take part in petty nor pretty territorial squabbles. If I did, I > would have solved this "Mid-East" thing a long time ago. > > Remember what G

Re: [Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Bill, Tea and COOKIES?! How decadently Western! Our meals consisted of a small bowl of steaming hot rice gruel with an umebashi on top and a small bowl of cooked vegetables. Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 3:34 AM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar and Joe, > > I don't know how it is now, but back in the 'g

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Edgar, The tea and cookies were served at the end of the Beginning Seminars. The sesshins had meals much more like you described. I remember we were served in the meditation hall at our cushions and maintained silence during the meal. We had three nested bowls from which we ate, and I remembe

Re: [Zen] the way

Merle, If what politicians practice is defined as "Art", I'll hang my Sable hair paint brushes out for the moth larvae to eat. --Joe > Merle Lester wrote: > > meaning?..merle > > >Merle, > > > >If THAT'S Art, I quit. Current Book Discussion: any Zen

[Zen] Re: the zen spirit

Merle, Yes, good point! Did it get lost?: The question you were anxious to have answered. It ran like: "How can we tell if the master is really enlightened, or not?", or something close to that. So please have a go at an answer, Sensei. --Joe > Merle Lester wrote: > >  what question?..

Re: [Zen] zen spirit..in the mall

Edgar, Oh, what (these) words on a flat page cannot convey ...(sometimes). The joke's on YOU! (Smile!). --Joe PS And, it's the ROYAL We. ;-| PPS Don't tell an Optics guy about "focus". > Edgar Owen wrote: > > Joe, > > Yes, that's your problem that "you are not amused". > > Merle and I kn

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Calm down or I'll have them build another you to take your place... James W. Meritt CISSP, CISA, NSA IAM, PMP

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Edgar, Full of Gulab Jamun. I take it back: your free-ride practice at temples was a waste, or a lark. Pity you don't know a touchstone from the Tablets of Moses. Since you take such exception to the Zen tradition, why are you here? Just another fool comedian. You're entitled to your own per

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Joe, Getting mighty nasty! I must have touched a sore spot. You are the only one depending your position here in case you haven't noticed... Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 11:24 AM, Joe wrote: > Edgar, > > Full of Gulab Jamun. > > I take it back: your free-ride practice at temples was a waste,

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

James, That would merit our consideration if you'd tell us what you're talking about. Maybe a general or universal greeting of a sort? Howdy from the West, --Joe > "James W. Meritt" wrote: > > Calm down or I'll have them build another you to take your place... --

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Edgar, Even if that were right, it does not make me wrong. --Joe > Edgar Owen wrote: > > Joe, > > Getting mighty nasty! > > I must have touched a sore spot. > > You are the only one depending your position here in case you haven't > noticed... Curre

Re: [Zen] the zen spirit

Frankly I am less suspicious when I have to pay some reasonable fee for sesshin than when I eat the free veggie food from the Hari Krishna's. We live in a money economy and paying a bit for food and lodging seems fairly far from exploitation, especially given the availability of scholarships. At le

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Edgar?, Who are you? Where's the real Edgar and what have you done with him? It's a pity because I think Joe would've liked the old Edgar. Mike From: Edgar Owen To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, 21 November 2012, 16:32 Subject: Re: [Zen] A gu

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Bill!, Edgar, and All, Yeah, I don't fathom Edgar's money-fixation in this venue, but I'll note that retreats and sesshin do cost money at the two different centers where I was most associated. At one of them, I was on the Board for many years, and served too as President for some time. We we

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Mike, Well, we can't keep regrets in this life about "what might have been". The cold front we sent Edgar from Arizona to puff-up his hurricane there may still have him disarranged and deranged, although he lives half-way inland -- midway within the width of New Jersey, that is -- below the po

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Mike, Because I point out Joe's 'master' could simply not have lived on yam leaves and rice for 6 years like Joe says he claimed I'M the bad guy? Is your loyalty to reality or delusion? Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:09 PM, mike brown wrote: > > Edgar?, > > Who are you? Where's the real Edg

Re: [Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Joe, Thanks for at least answering our questions. Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? As for calling me a "free rider", it wasn't just me. No one paid anything. I guess that's a difference between real Japanese Zen and American commercial zen. Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:22 PM, Joe wrote: >

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Joe, "My only reality is darkness"! LOL! Trying to project your negativity onto others is not helping your Zen... Edgar On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:48 PM, Joe wrote: > Mike, > > Well, we can't keep regrets in this life about "what might have been". > > The cold front we sent Edgar from Arizona

Re: [Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Some money was used, you may not have known about it. Rather idealistic of you. On Nov 21, 2012 10:06 AM, "Edgar Owen" wrote: > > > Joe, > > Thanks for at least answering our questions. Now, that wasn't so hard, was > it? > > As for calling me a "free rider", it wasn't just me. No one paid anyth

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

Edgar, So, you WERE a free-rider. Nicely honest in our public forum. Somebody paid for you. Pity you don't know how societies work, albeit Japan may have been foreign to you at the time (tender young age?). By all means, set up a practice place here in the States and charge nothing and let

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Edgar, Yes, a very major part of it. Plain for all who have eyes to see. The denial is the admission, although the admission is unnecessary. The Guru says: "Be the Sun!" --Joe > Edgar Owen wrote: > > "My only reality is darkness"! LOL! Current Book

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Mike, This fellow doesn't know when he's reached the bottom of a hole, and just digs deeper!! --Joe Mike,Edgar Owen wrote: > > Because I point out Joe's 'master' [snip] Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading!

[Zen] who is the guru's guru?

  yes teacher..this is the correct term  no one is guru guru who? guru what?.. who is the guru's guru? .we are all on the path seeking wisdom and enlightenment..student and teacher. .lighten up folks.. .who was born on the 1st of april.?.hand up.. .i was married to my barry on the fi

[Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

Merle, Ha!, and you said my quoting "Alfie" was saccharine "hooplah". (it's Philosophical; and I quoted the lyrics in the context of your asking about God, and the meaning of Life; the song POSES those questions, and gives an Answer). But, "Tiptoe through the Tulips"? No; I'll walk down Fourt

[Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

Merle, And, oh yes: correct with respect to what? (I think you mean you don't live in India and don't practice Hinduism. Or?) --Joe > Merle Lester wrote: > > yes teacher..this is the correct term > >  no one is guru [snip] Current Book Discus

[Zen] Re: A guru is not dead at any time

Dear Suresh, The human teacher is the one who has Compassion, and hence WILL teach you; The human teacher is the one who has developed skilful means due to his compassion, and hence is ABLE to teach you; The human teacher's life is lived as the life of Nature (which you call the 'whole univers

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Edgar, Why is it only you here who disparages and dishonours someone who is so obviously held in such high esteem by Joe and no doubt countless others? The bond between a student and a teacher can be more profound in some ways than that between family members. Here is a man who sat alone for si

Re: [Zen] zen spirit..in the mall

Edgar, That makes it THREE big jokes. Now I *am* tickled. TNX. ;-) --J. > Edgar Owen wrote: > > Merle and I know that reality is one big joke! > > Lighten up and try smiling and [snip] Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have rea

[Zen] Re: I am sometimes feeling we are very artificial

QUOTE FOR THE DAY... "Is that a REAL pancho? I mean is that a MEXICAN pancho, or a SEARS pancho?" - Frank Zappa, CAMARILLO BRILLO ...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Edgar Owen wrote: > > Joe, > > Thanks for at least answering our questions. Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? > > As

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Mike, I agree. Edgar has become very dark and sarcastic recently. Of course before he was not exactly a ray of sunshine, but at least then I did not detect any intentions in his posts to demean others like I do now. ...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, mike brown wrote: > > Edgar?, >

Re: [Zen] A guru is not dead at any time

Mike, I see this whole issue as part of the 'new and deteriorating' Edgar - which by the way seems to have began with Merle's entrance into the forum. I've noticed that more and more Edgar and Merle have a growing tendency to read a 3 or 4 paragraph post and then pick out ONE SMALL, TRIVIAL ITE

Re: [Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

 guru in western society has taken on a very wretched feel you know that joe..merle   Merle, Ha!, and you said my quoting "Alfie" was saccharine "hooplah". (it's Philosophical; and I quoted the lyrics in the context of your asking about God, and the meaning of Life; the song POSES those qu

[Zen] Fw: Fwd: UPDATE: We're going global!

> > > > > > Dear merle, > >When we launched Make it Possible we believed that our little flying pig had >the potential to become a much loved symbol of hope. One month later, our pig >is not only flying, she has gone global — reaching millions with her message >of compassion. The M

[Zen] Koans and "The Law"

Mike, I meant to get back to you about something you mentioned recently. You said you'd been to Law School. Maybe you're an Attorney, now? What I wondered is if you ever thought of koans in the context of the meaning of the term, as "Public Case", where that meant to the Chinese, who invented

[Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

Merle, I *don't* know it. I freely admit this. There *ARE* some things that I am happily ignorant of, Merle. Guru, "wretched"?: I don't know who makes this stuff up, honestly. In Science-circles, even the joking use of "Guru" is honorific: Call somebody a "Computer-guru", and THAT'S somebody

[Zen] Life. All You Need To Know In Just A Few Lines...

...Bill!

[Zen] Happy Thanksgiving!

         Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends!        

Re: [Zen] Life. All You Need To Know In Just A Few Lines...

 good one bill!..merle   ...Bill!

Re: [Zen] Re: A guru is not dead at any time

 beautiful joe...merle   Dear Suresh, The human teacher is the one who has Compassion, and hence WILL teach you; The human teacher is the one who has developed skilful means due to his compassion, and hence is ABLE to teach you; The human teacher's life is lived as the life of Nature (whic

Re: [Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

 guru..has a bad feel to it in many circles joe..let's face it there are gurus and gurus...merle   Merle, And, oh yes: correct with respect to what? (I think you mean you don't live in India and don't practice Hinduism. Or?) --Joe > Merle Lester wrote: > > yes teacher..this is the corr

Re: [Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

 so..now there is the censorship... i'll button my lip..merle   Merle, Ha!, and you said my quoting "Alfie" was saccharine "hooplah". (it's Philosophical; and I quoted the lyrics in the context of your asking about God, and the meaning of Life; the song POSES those questions, and gives an

Re: [Zen] Re: the zen spirit

 yes joe..how do we know when the master /guru /teacher is enlightened?..merle   Merle,  Yes, good point! Did it get lost?: The question you were anxious to have answered. It ran like: "How can we tell if the master is really enlightened, or not?", or something close to that. So please hav

Re: [Zen] the zen spirit

 edgar..what do you take me for?..a fool..merle   Merle, Get real and use your brain Merle! It's not the number of calories but the necessary nutrients for life are missing. Hot water? Well I like that myself (I usually add several spices and sometimes lemon juice) but I hope you don't thi

[Zen] a walk on the wild side

groupi do not mean to offend  i am a rebel at heart.. .so that is where i am coming from... any institution and formal practise with set rules and regulations has me thinking absurd and my rebellious nature arises. .do i need help?..  i walk on the wild side and am prone to out bursts of

[Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

Merle, ...and there are circles and then there are circles...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  guru..has a bad feel to it in many circles joe..let's face it there are > gurus and gurus...merle > > >   > Merle, > > And, oh yes: correct with respect to w

[Zen] Re: the zen spirit

Joe, Ha! Ha! See! I told you! ...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  yes joe..how do we know when the master /guru /teacher is > enlightened?..merle >   > Merle,  > > Yes, good point! > > Did it get lost?: The question you were anxious to have answer

[Zen] Suresh's Supermarket Dilema

...and one of my favorite songs of all time! Lost In The Supermarket ...Bill!

[Zen] Bangladesh Life - Ferryman on Buriganga River I BBC (2012 HD 720p) - YouTube

my "hero"..the ferryman on buriganga river at age 70..he's looking good..and has a great smile!..merle > >Subject: Bangladesh Life - Ferryman on Buriganga River I BBC (2012 HD 720p) - >YouTube > > > >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GtrCeG6yNs > > > > > > > > > >

Re: [Zen] Re: the zen spirit

 meaning what bill?..feeling superior now are we?... merle   Joe, Ha! Ha! See! I told you! ...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  yes joe..how do we know when the master /guru /teacher is > enlightened?..merle >   > Merle,  > > Yes, good point! >

[Zen] the circle

 you betcha bill...that's what we can the music of the spheres!...the circle...very symbolic as you well know..merle   Merle, ...and there are circles and then there are circles...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  guru..has a bad feel to it in many circl

Fw: [Zen] the circle..corrected

you betcha bill..that's what we call the music of the spheres!. .the circle..very symbolic as you well know bill. ..merle   Merle, ...and there are circles and then there are circles...Bill! --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Merle Lester wrote: > > > >  guru..has a bad feel to it in

[Zen] in the beginning there was

in the beginning there was the circle...  and... the circle was the world.. .and here i was thinking...  circle.. can we replace circle with circus?. .tut tut merle get serious...  right  in the beginning was the word  and that word was thought merle   Merle www.wix.com/merlewiitpom/1

Re: [Zen] Suresh's Supermarket Dilema

 good one bil...great to see you lightening up and having fun..so zen!...merle   ...and one of my favorite songs of all time! Lost In The Supermarket  ...Bill!

Re: [Zen] Re: zen spirit..in the mall

 it's not out of bounds joe..it's a no no no no for me due to my "condition"..merle   Merle, If you agree that the real world contains everything, then why is formal zen practice, or Sesshin, out of bounds, from your point of view? Or is it, really? What are you getting at? Please answer

Re: [Zen] Re: who is the guru's guru?

 joe..you have been blessed with great teachers..may you walk in light beauty and truth now and forever more...merle   Merle, I *don't* know it. I freely admit this. There *ARE* some things that I am happily ignorant of, Merle. Guru, "wretched"?: I don't know who makes this stuff up, hone

[Zen] let's make bread

http://www.healthcastle.com/easy-homemade-no-knead-bread-recipe-just-3-ingredients

[Zen] are Self-defeating Behaviour, Ruining Your Life? | try zen..

merle