[lotus-and-sunflower] [The search for the subject] 3...

[Guest guest]

Dear Max:

 

I have grown quite fond of many of your comments and your gentle nature. I

particularly sympathize with your recent struggle to differentiate the

subject, the context, the seer, the seen into disparate yet unified qualities

of existence. As I commented earlier, Zen and Heidegger have been favorites

of mine, instructive but not limiting.

 

I suppose your attempt that went:

 

<< Or should I have said "the seer and the scene

are two modes of being of one Being, and are

in close embrace in their being together?"

>>

 

Which caused me to smile...it too, rising to the level of a Zen Koan.

Imagine a child who takes clay and creates a Kingdom, then peers within it,

delighted with his own creation, only to find that what he sees is only an

extension of his own inner nature made "real." The idea preceded the

creation, but the creation cannot be entirely separated from the

creator...even if it is handed to another person. In this way, our

experience of reality is like that of the child. What we experience seems

like a completely separate world, but it is a product of our own mind. Now,

this does not fall into solipsistic narcissism...we should never conclude

that because the universe we experience is a creation of our interaction and

thought that therefore only the "Me" or "I" in this equation create all

possible realities for everyone else. That's a disaster of a view. But, the

universe that we experience is simply an extension of a greater super

positional state of existence where all things are joined by a supreme unity

of thought...we think as individuals but we create as a community...and our

creation is dynamic and evolving.

 

I had the pleasure of knowing Swami Sri Muktananda and attended classes, and

seminars when he was in California in the early 1980's. I remember that

during one interview when asked about what the next four years would be like

for California, he replied (and I paraphrase here), "Oh, there will be a

great calamity...people must prepare for the end of California." Many of my

friends, in fact, moved to Arizona upon this revelation and were surprised to

see me smile. "Aren't you going to move from California?" "No," I said

still smiling. "But, what about the disasters...earthquakes being

predicted?" They asked.

"Oh, I am not so sure that anyone can predict with certainty such things

about others...perhaps the Swami feels that his own time is coming to an end.

Besides, someone of good intention must always remain where they will be

most needed. I feel that if there is a disaster, I will do more good staying

here."

 

As it turned out, the dear Sweet Swami passed over into the next phase of

existence within the year, and California and I are still hanging on. Mind

you, I feel certain that we are due for some serious quakes within the next

few years. It's overdue. But I am not leaving...

 

Are we separate from our fears? From our dreams? From the shared reality

that we pass through each day? I think not...but we all need to remind

ourselves that shared reality is not some excuse for our own personal

thinking, growth and learning.

 

The universe only gets better if we get better.

 

Blessings

Love,

 

Zenbob

[Guest guest]

Dear Antoine:

 

Ah, well, I must bow to Voltaire...that old imaginary invalid...

 

Should I then say, "The universe only gets good, if we get good?"

 

LOL

 

 

I always appreciate your comments...

 

Warm Regards

Blessings

Love,

 

Zenbob

[Guest guest]

> The universe only gets better if we get better.

>

> Blessings

> Love,

>

> Zenbob

 

I could not resist Zenbob, it's one of my favorites

 

"Better is the enemy of good" (Voltaire)

 

Antoine