When stubborn trying to be right
Leads straight back to hell,
Just sit, with neck and shoulders tight,
Till hell's allright as well.
About Me
- Mike Cross
- From 1982 to 1997 I worked on the translation of Master Dogen's Shobogenzo, and understood the primary importance in the Buddha's teaching of full lotus sitting. Until 1994 my attitude to this sitting practice could be summed up in the words: "Don't think. Just do it!" Then in 1994 I returned from Japan to England to train to be a teacher of the FM Alexander Technique, and experiences with Alexander work woke me up to the opposite standpoint of "Don't just do. Think it!" Far from smoothing my path, however, Alexander insights (or reactions to them) caused a lot of trouble between me and my aging teacher in Japan. Then in 2008, seeking clearer water further upstream, I found a new lease of life in the extant Sanskrit works of the 12th ancestor in Dogen's lineage -- the great Indian teacher Ashvaghosha.
6 comments:
Hi, Mike.
Thank-you. Your journey of self questioning has greatly contributed to an important decision I have made recently: I'm going to become a 'home leaver' and enter the seminary to train as a priest.
Fair play to you,
Harry.
Thank you, Harry.
You have my respect for putting your body on the line, and I sincerely wish you well.
Master Dogen wrote that, in order to experience body and mind dropping off, one should, as a home leaver just follow other home leavers -- not my will be done, but just Thy will be done. Not an easy teaching to follow.
All the best to you -- Bon Courage.
Jaysus, Mike.
Look at the date. Trust you to show me a bit of kudos on the only ocassion when I'm not trying to be the sincere little endgaining non-priest wanker that you think (maybe know) I am.
Happy April Fools Day, bro. You're a star (and I do mean that).
Regards,
Harry.
Nicely done. I'll never do the mantra without a smile again. A great April Fool's Day gift.
Mike and Harry
Thanks for making me laugh
Living as a hungry ghost
Is very tough!
Plato
Mike
Bodily lotus sitting
Mental lotus sitting
Dropping off body and mind lotus sitting
Can they happen in any of the six realms?
Is that what Master Dogen means when he says do not worry about being in the six realms as the bright pearl is there?
Plato
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