JMJM,

I wasn't proposing to send you a book about zen.  As you've so eloquently 
pointed out in your recent posts, writing about such things is a very poor 
substitute and usually woefully inadequate at best and misleading at worst.

I will send you (in a private email) a copy of (or URL link) of the koan 
Hyakujo and the Fox.

Be well...Bill!

--- In [email protected], Jue Miao Jing Ming - 覺妙精明 
<chan.jmjm@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bill,
> 
> Sorry to admit that I have not read any English book about Zen.
> 
> Please send me something.
> 
> Thank you,
> JM
> 
> Learn to de-stress, energize and awaken
> http://www.chan-meditation.com
> Learn to live with Health, Happiness and Harmony
> http://www.chanliving.org
> Learn to reach enlightenment
> http://www.heartchan.org
> To save the world
> http://www.universal-oneness.org
> 
> 
> 
> On 5/20/2011 4:02 AM, Bill! wrote:
> >
> > JMJM,
> >
> > Are you aware of the zen koan HYAKUJO AND THE FOX that has as at least 
> > part of it a piece about living 500 years as a fox?
> >
> > If not I'll send you a better reference for it, or if you have a copy 
> > of THE GATELESS GATE collection of koans it's #2...Bill!
> >
> > --- In [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>, 
> > Jue Miao Jing Ming - 覺妙精明 <chan.jmjm@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello Mayka,
> > >
> > > Other than the list of names you wrote, please add Steve to the list 
> > and
> > > also yell at Edgar. Especially Edgar, he has been too quiet for too 
> > long.
> > >
> > > Words are descriptions of dharma and not the dharma itself. By saying
> > > what is and what is not in words, often we hinder the journey of 
> > others,
> > > which accordingly to a famous Chinese folklore, will place us into a
> > > wild fox for 500 generations. :-)
> > >
> > > Our tradition's main emphasis is a practice. By focusing on our "heart"
> > > to sync the "heart" of the universe, we shall witness self nature. Our
> > > practitioners has also witness the heart to be the core, the chi, the
> > > center, the essence, the love, the current, the energy, the big chakra,
> > > the conduit, the whole being, the entirety, etc. Without a dedicated
> > > practice and experience, these labels will not surface. Similarly these
> > > labels are just empty descriptions to those who does not witness.
> > >
> > > Self nature is just a set of characteristics of the universe 
> > embedded in
> > > everything. It integrates, balances, harmonizes, gives, grows, etc.
> > > Some call it Buddha nature. Some call it physics. Some call it Nature
> > > of our Father. It is just a set of characteristics.
> > >
> > > However, witnessing self nature is still less than half of the journey.
> > > Fulfilling every act of awakening for oneself and others is needed to
> > > get deeper and broader in both wisdom and energy.
> > >
> > > To be one and all at the same time is the realm to be reached.
> > >
> > > Thank you for the opportunity to share.
> > >
> > > For your reference,
> > > JM
> > >
> > > Learn to de-stress, energize and awaken
> > > http://www.chan-meditation.com
> > > Learn to live with Health, Happiness and Harmony
> > > http://www.chanliving.org
> > > Learn to reach enlightenment
> > > http://www.heartchan.org
> > > To save the world
> > > http://www.universal-oneness.org
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 5/19/2011 5:02 AM, Maria Lopez wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Bill, Daniel, JMJM and all:
> > > > Mike and myself wrote something like this: "Mindfulness is the
> > > > technique one uses to experience buddha nature". And there was this
> > > > debate about: "Is mindfulness buddha nature?". What do you have to
> > > > say about this Daniel?.
> > > > Mayka
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- On *Thu, 19/5/11, Maria Lopez /<flordeloto@>/* wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > From: Maria Lopez <flordeloto@>
> > > > Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: Three Western Myths About Mindfulness
> > > > To: [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > Date: Thursday, 19 May, 2011, 12:40
> > > >
> > > > Bill:
> > > > I've found very pleasant reading Daniel posting. I envy the same
> > > > in him as you your both art writing skills. And as for your
> > > > question I think that Daniel was explaining mindfulness according
> > > > to the way in his own tradition is transmited. My saying here is
> > > > only my personal experience with mindfulness. Daniel sayings may
> > > > go in line with the way his tradition may transmit the teaching of
> > > > mindfulness. Have to say that in the TNH tradition there is
> > > > also the Scholar side of mindfulness. So far haven't gone much
> > > > into it because I found all what I need in the very first key:
> > > > "Mindfulness is to be aware of what is going on in body, mind,
> > > > within and around ". And you won't ever believe how huge is the
> > > > implications of just such a simple key!.
> > > > Mayka
> > > >
> > > > --- On *Thu, 19/5/11, Bill! /<BillSmart@>/* wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@>
> > > > Subject: [Zen] Re: Three Western Myths About Mindfulness
> > > > To: [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > Date: Thursday, 19 May, 2011, 2:13
> > > >
> > > > Mayka, Thanks for your explanation.
> > > >
> > > > Is this the same concept as others, specifically Beveverley,
> > > > have of 'mindfulness'?
> > > >
> > > > ...Bill!
> > > >
> > > > --- In [email protected] 
> > <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>, Maria Lopez <flordeloto@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Bill:
> > > > > The use of the tool called "mindfulness" is not buddha
> > > > nature. But the energy, the experience one has out by
> > > > using the tool might be in Buddha Nature.  as mindfulness
> > > > generates a continuous energy of enhanced attention,
> > > > awareness, concentration, sensitivity, a general incremented
> > > > enhancement of all senses, . the form and the non form
> > > > interact with each other in such a way that they are not
> > > > separated. Here the experience the form is in the non form
> > > > and the non form is in the form gets clear. . A bit as
> > > > saying the physical act of sitting down zazen is not buddha
> > > > nature, but what you experience while you are sitting down is
> > > > buddha nature (provided that while sitting down one only sits
> > > > down and nothing else). In both cases the form and the non
> > > > form interact with each other. Without the physical body,
> > > > form,  wouldn't be possible to experience the non form. The
> > > > physical body is the vehicle to experience the non form. So
> > > > it's the action of
> > > > > mindfulness.Â
> > > > > Mayka
> > > > > Â
> > > > > --- On Wed, 18/5/11, Bill! <BillSmart@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@>
> > > > > Subject: [Zen] Re: Three Western Myths About Mindfulness
> > > > > To: [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > Date: Wednesday, 18 May, 2011, 8:52
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Â
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Mayka,
> > > > >
> > > > > Our agreement does not surprise me.
> > > > >
> > > > > As I've said before I very seldom use the term
> > > > 'mindfulness', although when others use it I assume they are
> > > > talking about the same thing as I call 'Buddha Mind' or
> > > > 'direct experience of reality'.
> > > > >
> > > > > What I was describing was 'Buddha Mind'. If that's the same
> > > > as the term 'mindfulness' is for you, then good! That does not
> > > > surprise me either.
> > > > >
> > > > > ...Bill!
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In [email protected] 
> > <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>, Maria Lopez <flordeloto@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Bill:
> > > > > > I've just opened your posting given a response to Daniel
> > > > posting about mindfulness and found that your way of
> > > > understanding mindfulness is alike myself.ÃÆ'‚Â There is only
> > > > the concept of mindfulness as a meanings of given the map to
> > > > produce the energy of mindfulness which is equalÃÆ'‚Â meaning
> > > > as to awareness. You're right and there are no distinctions or
> > > > any dualism while practising mindfulness.ÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > ÃÆ'‚Â This is also
> > > > my personal experience too.ÃÆ'‚Â
> > > > > > Mayka
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- On Wed, 18/5/11, Bill! <BillSmart@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > From: Bill! <BillSmart@>
> > > > > > Subject: [Zen] Re: Three Western Myths About Mindfulness
> > > > > > To: [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > > Date: Wednesday, 18 May, 2011, 4:12
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Daniel, ÃÆ'‚Â My comments are embedded below:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Three Western Myths About Mindfulness
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Three myths about mindfulness are frequently found
> > > > western Theravada
> > > > > > > circles. Beginning to intermediate students will often
> > > > hold these
> > > > > > > assumptions, sometimes even advanced students, having
> > > > carried them over
> > > > > > > from new age culture or watered down versions of
> > > > culturally popular
> > > > > > > meditation practices. For many aspirants, these beliefs
> > > > lie unseen
> > > > > > > within the mind, lost in memory, and become unrecognized
> > > > sources of
> > > > > > > doubt and opinion regarding the practice of satipatthana
> > > > vipassana.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill!] You writing from aÃÆ'‚Â perspective (satipatthana
> > > > vipassana?) and assuming your understanding of it is 'correct'
> > > > and that anyone having a different viewpointÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > hasÃÆ'‚Â created
> > > > a 'myth'.ÃÆ'‚Â I don't know how you formed your perspective
> > > > (teacher/student, reading, etc...), but that really doesn't
> > > > matter right now.ÃÆ'‚Â It's your perspective. 
> > > > ÃÆ'‚Â This is not
> > > > good and not bad, but I cannot comment from the same
> > > > perspective you have.ÃÆ'‚Â I will comment from my perspective
> > > > whichÃÆ'‚Â has been builtÃÆ'‚Â up from my zen 
> > > > practice.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â
> > > > > > > Choiceless Awareness is the "Purest" Practice of Mindfulness
> > > > > > > Attention is a process entirely conditioned by sensory
> > > > input and the
> > > > > > > inner forces of desire, fear, restlessness and aversion,
> > > > no matter now [how]
> > > > > > > hidden they may seem to be. To accept a myth of
> > > > choiceless awareness
> > > > > > > indicates that one has not grasped the truths associated
> > > > with the second
> > > > > > > stage of vipassana insight, Knowledge of Conditionality.
> > > > In reality
> > > > > > > choiceless awareness is conditioned attention, whose
> > > > conditioning is
> > > > > > > goes unoticed.
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â 'Choiceless Awareness' is 
> > > > > > zen.ÃÆ'‚Â When you
> > > > startÃÆ'‚Â applying discrimination (categorizing, judging,
> > > > associating, censoring, rejecting,
> > > > augmenting,ÃÆ'‚Â translating,ÃÆ'‚Â rationalizing,
> > > > intellectualizing, etc...), in other words applying some kind
> > > > ofÃÆ'‚Â CHOICE onÃÆ'‚Â your sensory experiences 
> > > > you have entered
> > > > into the realm of dualism and illusion.ÃÆ'‚Â Your choices are
> > > > the illusions and the myths.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â
> > > > > > > Allowing one's attention to float free in this way will
> > > > make three
> > > > > > > things particularly difficult: the development of
> > > > concentration, insight
> > > > > > > into intention, and the development of effort and
> > > > energy. When practice
> > > > > > > is mature in Knowledge of Equanimity, a kind of
> > > > choiceless awareness
> > > > > > > becomes possible, in that the illusion of the one who
> > > > attends is now
> > > > > > > absent, but at that point the mind is very developed and
> > > > will not be
> > > > > > > hindered or deluded by its own act of letting go.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â Here you seem to backtrack.ÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > > > In the
> > > > paragraph above you indicate 'choiceless awareness' is a myth,
> > > > but in this paragraph youÃÆ'‚Â admit in the absence of 
> > > > illusion
> > > > (duality) it 'becomes possible'.ÃÆ'‚Â So, is 'choiceless
> > > > awareness' a myth or not?ÃÆ'‚Â Or, is it only a myth for some
> > > > and not for others?ÃÆ'‚Â Or, ÃÆ'‚Â is it a myth 
> > > > for some and not
> > > > a myth whenÃÆ'‚Â no one (self) exists to make choices?
> > > > > > > The path along which our mind must evolve to come upon
> > > > the experience of
> > > > > > > the Unconditioned is quite narrow and precise. The
> > > > ability to discover
> > > > > > > this precise point of balance in the development of the
> > > > mind's
> > > > > > > faculties is what made the Buddha so unique.
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â There is nothing unique about Buddha 
> > > > > > (Guatama
> > > > Siddhartha), or Buddha (the direct experience of reality we
> > > > share with all senient beings).ÃÆ'‚Â The very fact of this is
> > > > essential to zen (and to Buddhism).ÃÆ'‚Â Otherwise you are
> > > > elevating Buddha (Guatama Siddhartha) to some special state
> > > > like Christianity has mistakenly elevated Jesus.ÃÆ'‚Â Both
> > > > Guatama Siddhartha and Jesus are men, human beings just like
> > > > you and me, and anything they have done or accomplished or
> > > > realized can be done by us also.
> > > > > > >There is no room in this
> > > > > > > process for personal predilections or intellectual
> > > > prejudice. To be
> > > > > > > successful in this path we must train our attention so
> > > > as to achieve the
> > > > > > > necessary balance and development of the faculties.
> > > > There may indeed be
> > > > > > > more than one system of practice for achieving this, yet
> > > > every such
> > > > > > > successful system will be discovered to be balanced
> > > > within itself.
> > > > > > > However, even then, all practice methods must be regularly
> > > > > > > "tweaked" to insure that progress remains on course. In
> > > > the end,
> > > > > > > it is not the method itself that achieves the goal, but
> > > > the carefully
> > > > > > > balanced evolution of the faculties that leads the mind
> > > > to emergence.
> > > > > > > This precision requires refined tuning, something that
> > > > does not easily
> > > > > > > evolve from free-floating awareness.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â I agree there is not one system of
> > > > teaching.ÃÆ'‚Â However, the practice is not to
> > > > 'developÃÆ'‚Â faculities'.ÃÆ'‚Â You already have 
> > > > everything you
> > > > need.ÃÆ'‚Â The practice is to dissolve the sense of dualism 
> > > > you
> > > > have created whichÃÆ'‚Â occludes and interfers with your 
> > > > ability
> > > > to be aware of direct sensoryÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > experience.ÃÆ'‚Â So practice
> > > > is a matter of discarding, not developing or building.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â > Non-conceptual Awareness is the Goal of 
> > > > > > Mindfulness
> > > > The conclusion to
> > > > > > > this logic is that the silent witnessing mind is
> > > > superior to the use of
> > > > > > > mental notation. For fuller explanation on the benefits
> > > > of mental
> > > > > > > notation, please refer to my dedicated chapter on this
> > > > subject.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â Non-conceptual Awareness (aka Buddha
> > > > Mind)ÃÆ'‚Â is zen.ÃÆ'‚Â I don't know if it is a 
> > > > 'Goal of
> > > > Mindfulness' or not.ÃÆ'‚Â Non-conceptual Awareness is
> > > > non-dualistic so is not subject to judgement (choices) such as
> > > > 'superior'.ÃÆ'‚Â Mental notation (I think this is the same 
> > > > as I
> > > > call discrimnation or using the discriminating mind) is not
> > > > good and not bad.ÃÆ'‚Â It is used to form dualistic
> > > > concepts.ÃÆ'‚Â The only caveat here is to be aware that these
> > > > concepts, these 'mental notations' are not real but illusory.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â
> > > > > > > Conception and preception are so intimately merged that
> > > > we cannot
> > > > > > > separate them, although we can come to distinguish them.
> > > > Those who
> > > > > > > pretend that awareness is non-conceptual are lost in
> > > > their own concepts
> > > > > > > about practice and are far from seeing the present
> > > > reality of their
> > > > > > > minds.
> > > > > > [Bill!] Both 'conception' and 'preception' pre-suppose a
> > > > discriminating self.ÃÆ'‚Â Both are interpretations
> > > > (post-processing) of sensory experience.ÃÆ'‚Â They are
> > > > illusions created by the discriminating mind which are tagged
> > > > to experiences, and often obsure experience to the point of
> > > > replacing them as percieved 'reality'.ÃÆ'‚Â 'Conceptions' and
> > > > 'preceptions' are part of the dualistic baggage of the
> > > > discriminating mind that must be discarded (or at least
> > > > suspended) to directly experience reality.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â In ordinary life, the closest we come to
> > > > non-conceptual awareness
> > > > > > > is in deep sleep, or when we see something in the
> > > > distance that we do
> > > > > > > not recognize, or when we encounter some new object
> > > > completely unknown
> > > > > > > and mysterious to us. However, even those last two
> > > > examples, the mind is
> > > > > > > busily applying the closest approximate concepts to try
> > > > and "figure
> > > > > > > it out."
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â This is absolutely wrong.ÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > > > There is no
> > > > awareness in dreamless sleep, and dreams are all
> > > > illusions.ÃÆ'‚Â Intellectual activity as you describe above 
> > > > is
> > > > just juggling illusions to try to find one characterize the
> > > > sensory experience.ÃÆ'‚Â Non-conceptual awareness happens 
> > > > when
> > > > your teacher slaps your face.ÃÆ'‚Â It is the awareness of 
> > > > that
> > > > slapÃÆ'‚Â you have BEFORE you think 'Pain!' or 'Bad'' or
> > > > 'Embarassed!'.
> > > > > > ÃÆ'‚Â Additionally, yogis can experience non-conceptual
> > > > awareness
> > > > > > > during their practice in that tiny space between sensory
> > > > impingement and
> > > > > > > mental recognition. Concepts are not the enemy. The
> > > > enemy is that
> > > > > > > confusion of mind that cannot distinguish between the
> > > > two dimensions of
> > > > > > > conception and perception present in our
> > > > moment-to-moment cognition. It
> > > > > > > is this confusion that hides the true nature of both,
> > > > and not the
> > > > > > > presence of concepts in the mind, which are inevitable
> > > > and almost
> > > > > > > constantly present.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill]ÃÆ'‚Â We agree on something! - 
> > > > > > almost.ÃÆ'‚Â I'd remove
> > > > 'yogis' from the first sentence above.ÃÆ'‚Â It's not just 
> > > > yogis
> > > > that can experience this, it's everyone - all sentient
> > > > beings.ÃÆ'‚Â Concepts are not exactly the 
> > > > enemy,ÃÆ'‚Â it's the
> > > > ATTACHMENT to concepts that is the 'enemy'.ÃÆ'‚Â Concepts 
> > > > will
> > > > arise and dissapear.ÃÆ'‚Â They are 
> > > > illusions.ÃÆ'‚Â As long as
> > > > you can recognize this, concepts are not the 'enemy'; but
> > > > anything that gives rise to dualities (the most insiduous
> > > > being the duality of self/other) is an 'enemy' to direct
> > > > awareness (Buddha Mind).
> > > > > > > Mindfulness Only Reveals What Is
> > > > > > > A common mistake made by many dedicated practitioners of
> > > > satipathana or
> > > > > > > other forms of mindfulness as found in various schools
> > > > of Buddhism, is
> > > > > > > to believe that mindfulness only reveals what is without
> > > > altering how
> > > > > > > things appear to consciousness. Mindfulness is not a
> > > > passive process. It
> > > > > > > radically changes the way the mind experiences its
> > > > reality. We cannot
> > > > > > > claim therefore that we are merely allowing reality to
> > > > reveal itself.
> > > > > > > Because the perceptions, insights and states of
> > > > consciousness that arise
> > > > > > > in practice are conditioned by the development of the
> > > > five controlling
> > > > > > > faculties, the jhana factors and the seven factors of
> > > > enlightenment, we
> > > > > > > cannot say that we are accessing the reality of the five
> > > > aggregates as
> > > > > > > they really are in their own objective sphere or even as
> > > > they would
> > > > > > > appear in some hypothetical state of subjective super
> > > > clarity.
> > > > > > > Satipathana practice is definitely a system of mental
> > > > development
> > > > > > > engaging and affecting the mind in many ways and on many
> > > > levels. All we
> > > > > > > can say is that mindfulness reveals reality as
> > > > experienced by a mind
> > > > > > > properly developed in such a way as to experience
> > > > freedom from greed,
> > > > > > > hatred and delusion. The absence of delusion means
> > > > something very
> > > > > > > precise: the successful oppositing of the four
> > > > vipalasas, or distortions
> > > > > > > of subjective perception. There are the vipalasa that
> > > > sees the
> > > > > > > impermanent as permanent, the vipalasa that sees the
> > > > dissatisfactory as
> > > > > > > satisfactory, the vipalasa that sees a self in what
> > > > which is no-self,
> > > > > > > and the vipalasa that sees the repulsive as delightful.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Bill!]ÃÆ'‚Â I could not disagree more.ÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > > > I want to
> > > > reiterate that I'm not saying your paragraph above is not
> > > > correct in pointing outÃÆ'‚Â what 'Mindfulness' is and is
> > > > not.ÃÆ'‚Â ÃÆ'‚Â MyÃÆ'‚Â thoughts below 
> > > > are not from a 
> > 'satipathana
> > > > perspective.ÃÆ'‚Â They are from my own zen practice 
> > > > perspective.
> > > > > > Zen is awareness of only what is.ÃÆ'‚Â 
> > > > > > AllÃÆ'‚Â else is
> > > > illusory. ÃÆ'‚Â All intellectualizations (post-processing) 
> > > > are
> > > > illusions.ÃÆ'‚Â ÃÆ'‚Â And I say again 
> > > > itÃÆ'‚Â is not the 
> > illusions
> > > > that occlude Buddha Mind,ÃÆ'‚Â it is ATTACHMENT to illusions
> > > > that occlude Buddha Mind and that must be dissoved or at least
> > > > suspended.
> > > > > > Clean your bowls!
> > > > > > ...Bill!
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>




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