hi bob..yes indeed it is our individual responsibility...
ours is but to live and die ours is not to question why did not buddha question? drop everything? and then what ? pick up the bits and pieces or move on? yes peaceful deep seated contentment that all is "right "with the world can this come whilst we are in the cyclone of life's experiences? whilst we are witnesses to injustices, stupidity, vulgarity, mindlessness from our fellow human beings? wait till abbott gets in... mmm plenty of rough weather then a political animal as i am at times will find it hard to swallow contentment with a capital C and close my eyes ears and mouth the old man drying the tomatoes in the mid day sun here in the hawkesbury district might just need a "good kick up the arse for his mindlessness at the ballot box.. saying that..what's that got to do with zen... yes indeed.. except nothing is irrelevant and nothing is relevant in the awakened zen mind.. merle Hi Merle - I think that it is our responsibility to sort out our own issues. Most people focus on others issues or want to know about Buddha's (or some other significant persons) issues rather than deal with their own. You should not be concerned with others issues, therefore I don't understand why you would look for the 'essence of being human' or why 'happiness is fleeting'. I always thought the essence of being human is to be born, grow, reproduce and die. In my world there is little more than that, the personal work on your own mind is far more interesting, but you know that. I find that I can make myself happy by meditation, not the clap your hands type but a deep seated, contented happiness where good times and bad times are able to be enjoyed or at least understood. We did a very interesting exercise after we had been meditating for about 5 years and that was to drop everything and see what is left. The results, for me, have been a buttress against rough weather. Just remembered Dogen and the old man drying tomatoes in the hot sun on his trip to China, his reply to Dogen was "You are not me" and that is a great starting spot for personal work. Bob --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > > > hi bob.. my art and life are intertwined.. > > happiness is a fleeting affair... > >  we are also responsible for understanding and realising the very essence of > what it is to be human > >  and that is a far greater responsibility than the froth and bubble of > wishing to be happy > > the song springs to mind:..when your "happy clap your hands"... > > merle > > > > >  > Hi Merle - Is it just a case of no pain no art? > > We are all responsible for our own happiness, but if it happens naturally to > you then maybe, like you say, it is what it is? > > Bob > > --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@> wrote: > > > > > > > > hi joe.. > > not much choice ..what goes down goes down..and yes at times sadness can > > get one down very down.. > > however i have my meditation drawing at hand to continue and keep me safe > > and steady.. > > all things pass... > > thank you for your support and understanding...and here i was thinking i > > was a "weirdo" > > > > merle > > > > > >  > > Hi, Merle, > > > > Sure I know what you mean. > > > > That's why it's called "practice". > > > > If you could already play the Grand Piano, ...you would! > > > > Strong practice, > > > > and don't let sadness get you down, ;-) > > > > cry freely if you need to, > > > > you have lots of company, > > > > and we all know it's a Purification, > > > > --Joe > > > > > Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@> wrote: > > > > > > in theory everything is wonderful except when one practises that's when > > > one gets into knots.. > > > > > > and it's not that easy peasy... > > > > > > ya know vot a mean?.. > > >
