Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
question
What?
-
Mar 31, 2014 11:36AM
I am NOT getting this book yet. So far, it's contradicting, which tells me that my western duality is getting in the way, so maybe I am getting this book.
reply
flag
My understanding is that you don't understand anything until you reach satori. So unless you're spiritually realized, like everyone else, you're not getting it. But when you do become spiritually realized, you won't need the book, because you're spiritually realized.
glad I'm not the only one.its all about unlearning the duality I rhink
An interesting pair of comments on a very important book. The journey to the Beginner's Mind passes through a narrow gate. The gate is guarded by duality. In order to pass through the gate, the guard needs to be moved aside and left behind. The beginner's mind rests on a foundation of that which is not dual or part of any duality.
The issue of what is understood is somewhat complex. An imprecisely appropriate metaphor might be useful. (Notice that I said might.) Imagine that you're looking through a microscope. There's something on the slide but it is, at the beginning, out of focus. You would certainly be able to derive some knowledge of what you see but you would not see the object on the slide in complete definition.
Now you begin to adjust the knob and gradually the image of the object on the slide comes into focus. With each small movement of the knob, the image becomes clearer as does your understanding of what it is you are looking at.
A more traditional way of approaching this is to imagine that you are kneeling on the bank of the pond. The water of the pond is rippled by the wind and, as you look into it, you see a disjointed and disfigured reflection. But then the wind begins to calm and the ripples subside. Finally, when the wind is completely calm, you see your reflection without distortion.
When you meditate, assuming you do so, one of your first challenges is to shut down what is called the "monkey mind". The process does not start with the assumption that you know or understand nothing. Meditation, as a practice, is focused on obtaining a clearer understanding. The journey to the beginner's mind is not one from ignorance to knowledge but from poor focus to better focus.
The issue of what is understood is somewhat complex. An imprecisely appropriate metaphor might be useful. (Notice that I said might.) Imagine that you're looking through a microscope. There's something on the slide but it is, at the beginning, out of focus. You would certainly be able to derive some knowledge of what you see but you would not see the object on the slide in complete definition.
Now you begin to adjust the knob and gradually the image of the object on the slide comes into focus. With each small movement of the knob, the image becomes clearer as does your understanding of what it is you are looking at.
A more traditional way of approaching this is to imagine that you are kneeling on the bank of the pond. The water of the pond is rippled by the wind and, as you look into it, you see a disjointed and disfigured reflection. But then the wind begins to calm and the ripples subside. Finally, when the wind is completely calm, you see your reflection without distortion.
When you meditate, assuming you do so, one of your first challenges is to shut down what is called the "monkey mind". The process does not start with the assumption that you know or understand nothing. Meditation, as a practice, is focused on obtaining a clearer understanding. The journey to the beginner's mind is not one from ignorance to knowledge but from poor focus to better focus.
Craig's comment is a perfect Zen koan: You can't get there from here; on the other hand, there's nowhere to get to.
I forget exactly where in the book, but somewhere it says something along the lines of: Don't worry about what you understand or don't understand. When reading these words you will understand what you are supposed to understand right now. So be happy in knowing you are where you are supposed to be and know what you are supposed to know.
That helps me realize that I can't fathom all of the information and concepts all at once contained in the pages. I will read it again and more light will be revealed whenever it is revealed!
That helps me realize that I can't fathom all of the information and concepts all at once contained in the pages. I will read it again and more light will be revealed whenever it is revealed!
Just be. Or rather... Be.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
