Yesterday, we talked about stilling the mind. Today is a new day.
To me, zen is about being wholly in the present. That means not being concerned with the future or focusing on the past. It is being one with one's surroundings without anything motivating them. The saying "all is one - one is all" comes to mind when I think of zen. We are both the universe and the universe is everything. We are part of something larger and so we all have our own part to play. Rather than fighting the flow we simply must be and all will be well.
But what does that even mean? It's so abstract that many might read this and leave confused. I think of 'being' as doing what comes to mind without hesitation.
One way I think people stray from 'being' is caring what others think of them. Thinking about going out but you're worried that shirt might be "too tacky" or you're not sure what to say and don't want to come across as uninteresting? Fuck it. We can't please everyone and people are intuitively good bullshit detectors. When a fake comes by it's not too hard to see someone trying hard to meet expectations. Everyone is so focused on appearances that they end up not being who they really are.
I think this message is about being true to yourself. Don't live your life trying to accomplish anything. Rather, peel the potatoes just to peel them. No ulterior motives.
That's not to say that we shouldn't have dreams or aspire to be anything. I think another way to look at this philosophy is examining careers. Many of the most successful people in the world became that way because they simply did what they loved and stuck with it. They found a way to make money following their passion and it drove them to success.
In the same way, rather than trying to become a doctor so you can make a lot of money, just do you. That means doing the things you want to do because you want to. You're just doing you, and THAT'S what the true message is in my mind. In doing so, you become centered and because you are just doing you, the mind is focused - still.
So don't worry about it and just peel the potatoes. Just be.
Peace
"Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes." - Alan WattsZen, which was influenced by Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism, to my understanding is the art of learning to be. Keeping a still mind and remaining centered.
To me, zen is about being wholly in the present. That means not being concerned with the future or focusing on the past. It is being one with one's surroundings without anything motivating them. The saying "all is one - one is all" comes to mind when I think of zen. We are both the universe and the universe is everything. We are part of something larger and so we all have our own part to play. Rather than fighting the flow we simply must be and all will be well.
But what does that even mean? It's so abstract that many might read this and leave confused. I think of 'being' as doing what comes to mind without hesitation.
One way I think people stray from 'being' is caring what others think of them. Thinking about going out but you're worried that shirt might be "too tacky" or you're not sure what to say and don't want to come across as uninteresting? Fuck it. We can't please everyone and people are intuitively good bullshit detectors. When a fake comes by it's not too hard to see someone trying hard to meet expectations. Everyone is so focused on appearances that they end up not being who they really are.
I think this message is about being true to yourself. Don't live your life trying to accomplish anything. Rather, peel the potatoes just to peel them. No ulterior motives.
That's not to say that we shouldn't have dreams or aspire to be anything. I think another way to look at this philosophy is examining careers. Many of the most successful people in the world became that way because they simply did what they loved and stuck with it. They found a way to make money following their passion and it drove them to success.
In the same way, rather than trying to become a doctor so you can make a lot of money, just do you. That means doing the things you want to do because you want to. You're just doing you, and THAT'S what the true message is in my mind. In doing so, you become centered and because you are just doing you, the mind is focused - still.
So don't worry about it and just peel the potatoes. Just be.
Peace
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| Amidst the chaos, the still mind can waver any storm. |
Today's assignment: Peel the potatoes just to peel them. Just be today.
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