Monday, November 24, 2014

Notion 概念

You need to throw away notion of "self".
Because "self" is made of non-self elements.

You need to throw away notion of "human being".
Because human is not a boss of nature. 

You need to throw away notion of "living beings".
Because non-living beings are alive also.

You need to throw away notion of "life span".
Because birth and death are not reality.

Notion is a wrong perception which causes afflictions.
Notion is the arrogance which separates oneself from others.

You need to turn away your view of "This body is me".
Because you are not the body.

You need to turn away your notions of "pairs of extremes".
Because reality can not be described in terms of notions.

You need to turn away your wrong view.
Because wrong view causes wrong perception.

You need to turn away your attachment to your view.
Because truly right view is the absence of all views.

Nirvana is the silence of all notions.
Nirvana is the burning away of all notions.
Nirvana is the extinction of all notions.
So, Nirvana could not be described by notions.

http://www.slideshare.net/compassion5151/notion


「自己」という概念を捨てる必要があります。
「自己」は、非自己の要素からできていますので。

「人間」という概念を捨てる必要があります。
人間は自然のボスではありませんので。

「生き物」という概念を捨てる必要があります。
非生物もまた生きていますので。

「寿命」という概念を捨てる必要があります。
生と死は現実ではありませんので。

概念は、苦痛を引き起こす誤った知覚です。
概念は、自他を分離する傲慢です。

「この体が私」という見方を拒否する必要があります。
あなたは体ではありませんので。

「両極端の対」の概念を拒否する必要があります。
現実は概念の観点から説明することはできませんので。

誤った見方を拒否する必要があります。
誤った見方は誤った知覚を引き起こしますので。

自分の見方に対する執着を拒否する必要があります。
本当に正しい見方は、全ての見方の不在ですので。

涅槃は、全ての概念の沈黙です。
涅槃は、全ての概念の燃え尽きです。
涅槃は、全ての概念の絶滅です。
ですから、涅槃は、概念では説明できないでしょう。

http://www.slideshare.net/compassion5151/ss-42025929

Kilauea Volcano Lava Flow, Hawaii Photo by Brian Harig

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Body and Consciousness 体と意識

Thích Nhất Hạnh says, "Your body is the seed of consciousness". (Please refer to the following video from 02:44 to 06:48 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMoRtJhVoxc&feature=youtu.be)  I totally agree to it. That's because the body creates actions (karma) which will be imprinted on consciousness (subconscious) and will reincarnate. Of course, actions (karma) are created by the motivations which arise from mental formations manifested from the seeds in consciousness (subconscious). In this sense, consciousness (subconscious) itself will reincarnate through actions (karma).



ティク・ナット・ハンは、「あなたの体は意識の種子です」と言っています。(次のビデオの02:44 から 06:48までをご参照下さい  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMoRtJhVoxc&feature=youtu.be)私は全くそれに同感です。なぜなら、体は意識(潜在意識)に刻印され、転生する行動(カルマ)を創造しているからです。もちろん、行動(カルマ)は意識(潜在意識)内の種子から顕現する心行(感情などの精神形成物)から生じる動機によって創造されます。この意味では、意識(潜在意識)自体が行動(カルマ)を通して転生するということです。

THE SAHARA DESERT Photo by Cesar Rogerio

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Vedantism and Buddhism

It's tricky but is also interesting that "Absolute" is good in a Vedantic context but is bad in Buddhist context. Its meaning is totally opposite between Buddhism (separate self, independent-self, or ego) and Vedantism (Awareness, Whole Mind, Non-Being, Noumenon...etc). Words are different but the message is the same. 

Another interesting point is the difference in approach. Buddhism use the wisdom of Emptiness (absence of separate self, or interdependence, or dependent co-arising), or Middle Way to transcend the duality (pairs of opposites). On the other hand, Vedantism denies Body-mind (ego) as monism, so there is no duality from the beginning. 

The strength of Buddhism is that the wisdom of interdependence is proved scientifically by the general theory of relativity. And it is easier for ordinary people to understand that body-mind (separate self, or ego) and subconscious (non-separate self) are interdependent. Buddhists can accept both body-mind and subconscious by the wisdom of interdependence. Of course, there is a danger if Buddhists accept too much ego.
 
Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Photo by Leisure Escapes

Friday, November 14, 2014

Body-mind and Subconscious

What's the difference between Body-mind and Subconscious?
My comparative analysis is the following.

<Temporality>               <Intemporality>
 (duration, time, space)   (no duration, no time and space, state)

Body-mind                      Subconscious
Presence (energy)          Now (not between "past" and "future")

measurable (duration)     immeasurable (no duration)
Time (moment)                No Time (not a moment in time)
Past, Present, Future      No Past, Present, Future
illusory and existent         non-illusory and non-existent
(illusion)                          (reality)
manifestation                   non-manifestation
I-thought                          Not-I
Ego (Separate self)         Absolute, Nirguna (Non-separate self)
Consciousness                Awareness
Body-mind Consciousness Universal Consciousness (no-mind)
(personal)                         (impersonal)
Mind (split into                  Whole Mind (no Subject and Object)
        Subject and Object)
Energy                             No energy

Evolution of Humanity                          
There is no difference for Subconscious between manifestation and non-manifestation of Body-mind. I understand Body-mind and Subconscious are interdependent, or dependent co-arising.

The Solar Dynamics Photo by Corina Marinescu

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Self-transformation (2)

It may take long time but there is a possibility for self-transformation from separate self to non-separate self. If Usāma bin Lādin was in a receptive, cooperative state of mind, it may have happened in a moment. If self-transformation happened in him, it was easy to heal his wounded inner child and to release his ego with pleasure. Then, changing his liquidation plans would automatically occur.

The root cause of all problems is ego. If a friction occurs between your ego and the other's ego, the stress and problems occur. If either of you release your own ego, both of you can avoid stress. However, if either of you can't release your ego, you can't solve problems. Only if both sides release own ego, problems can be solved. One example is Tibetan issue. Even H.H. the Dalai Lama has not been able to solve the problem for more than 50 years by negotiation with Chinese communist leaders. Another example is Israeli-Palestinian issues.

Loving speech and deep listening capacity are the key to restore communications and reconcile. For loving speech and deep listening, both sides have to return to non-separate self and release their ego (separate self). If both sides open their heart, listen deeply, look deeply and understand the other's sufferings, problems will be solved through reconciliation. Here is a video of Thay's Israeli Palestinian Retreat for peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1k7DwKhTWA&list=PLXB6HkIr-KyDO9EgGw5mBlx1sGVE5QaW3

Orange roses Photo by Diana rose Sangar

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Psychopath

What if you were the psychopath? There must be a reason why. 

It is understandable for a person who experienced a serious abuse right after the birth to modify neural circuit for self-protection. If the person does not have the dendritic connections, s/he may be able to stop reactions to sufferings in expense of the loss of empathic reactions. 

I guess that pharmaceutical (chemicals) treatment can't cure the psychopath. That's because the root cause is not the brain (matter) but is the subconscious. I understand the brain is a computer for the subconscious. Meditation might have a salutary effect. I feel the most effective method is my own method of reviving true self, healing inner child, releasing ego who have been protecting wounded inner child by cutting empathic reactions.

I guess the defects are not inherited at birth but are created in relation with parents and surrounding people after birth. Regarding the purpose of reincarnation of a serial killer, I guess the position was opposite in their past life between the criminal and the victim. So, the purpose may be to teach the misery of killing and torture to the victim who was the killer in past life. However, the serial killer (teacher) creates a new negative karma, so has to pay for that in the future. At that time, s/he has to pass a retest by forgiving the killer without revenge.

I guess that the point of the karmic imperative is nothing but the evolution of humanity. Justice is a notion for self-justification which separates oneself from others. For example, President Obama and Ms. Clinton defended themselves by explaining that the assassination of Usāma bin Lādin was carried out for the justice. But there is no justice for killing people. It was nothing but an excuse. The motivation might be right but the method was wrong at least. If he still had a power to harm others, the assassination may have been inevitable in order to save many innocent people. But it was not a case. If the victim can forgive the criminal (not the crime), it's the proof that the victim has returned to non-separate self. In those cases, I guess that recombination of gene in brain may occur.

amazing universe Photo by Adam Corbin

implicate order, where everything is inside of everything else

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Reincarnation 輪廻転生

The following picture is my understanding of Reincarnation. How do you feel about it?



次の図は、輪廻転生に関する私の理解です。いかがでしょうか?


Saturday, November 8, 2014

Ramification of our life 人生の分岐

Our future depends on the relation between parents and children in babyhood (whether children are accepted unconditionally by parents or not). If children are not accepted unconditionally by parents, "interdependence" (absence of separate self) will be collapsed and the wounded inner child will make up ego (separate self) for self-protection from parents. If children are accepted unconditionally by parents, "interdependence" (absence of separate self) will not be collapsed and the child will be able to maintain true self (non-separate self). 

私たちの将来は、乳幼児期における親子関係(子供が両親に無条件に受け容れられたか否か)に依存しています。もし、子供が両親に無条件に受け容れられなかった場合は、「相互依存」(自性自己の不在)が崩壊し、傷ついたインナー・チャイルドが親から自分を守るためにエゴ(自性自己)をでっち上げます。もし、子供が両親に無条件に受け容れられた場合は、「相互依存」(自性自己の不在)は崩壊せず、子供は本当の自分(無自性自己)を維持することができます。

Red & White Roses Photo by Diana rose Sangar

Friday, November 7, 2014

Fritz Perls and Thích Nhất Hạnh

Have you ever read Thay's book titled "Understanding Our Mind"?  At the end of Chapter 31 (p129), Thay mentioned as follows (exerpt from the book): 
Quote:
Fritz Perls, one of the founders of the Gestalt school of therapy, has often been quoted as saying: 
“I do my thing, you do your thing; I’m not here in this world to live up to your expectations.…
You are you, and I am I, 
and if by chance we find each other, it’s beautiful; 
if not, it cannot be helped.” 
This statement is on the notion of self and other as separate entities. It is not based on the insight of interbeing. I am not very fond of this statement. At the very least I expect you to take care of yourself, because if you take good care of yourself, I will suffer less. My students have the right to expect me to be a good teacher. This means I must practice what I teach—that is only fair. And I have the right to expect my students to put into practice what they have learned from me. That, too, is only fair.
I would like to offer this gatha as a response to the statement of Mr. Perls:
You are me and I am you.
Is it not true that we inter-are?
You cultivate the flower in you so that I will be beautiful,
And I transform the garbage in me so that you don’t have to suffer.
This is the kind of insight that is based on interbeing. If we live our lives according to this insight, we will not have to suffer so much.
:Unquote

Which do you choose, Fritz Perls' statement or Thay's gatha? I will definitely choose Fritz Perls' statement. My question, in other words, is "Which do you choose if you can choose either one, the insight of interbeing or unconditional self-love? I feel this difference has something to do with the difference in approaches between Thay's method (Mindfulness) and my own method (Unconditional self-acceptance). Furthermore, this difference may have something to do with the difference between Meditation and Self-Inquiry.

General Shermans tree in Sequoia Nat Park  Photo by Warren Searle

Monday, November 3, 2014

Ego and Egocentrism

Some people say that there is a great difference between the Ego and Egocentrism. In their definition, the ego doesn't water the evil seeds, while the egocentric waters the evil seeds. My definition of ego is a little different from theirs as follows: Ego (separate self) is made up by wounded inner child for self-protection from parents in babyhood. Ego has the distorted view (egocentrism?) which separates oneself from others that is "I am special, separate and superior to others". Separation, or discrimination is the root cause of sufferings, so ego is the source of sufferings.

So, in my definition, ego is almost the same as egocentric. A slight difference is that egocentric is the exaggeration of ego. I don't deny ego to some extent for our physical survival as the right to live. In fact, ego (separate self) and true self (non-separate self) are interdependent. They are the right side and the left side of a sheet of paper. If we remove ego, true self is also removed. If ego is there, true self is already there. This is called Emptiness (interdependence) or Middle Way in Buddhism and is the way how to transcend the duality.

I feel that most of arts and sports are the sensory level satisfaction which is temporary. I don't deny it if it doesn't harm others but it changes to anger and hatred if it exceeds the limit. In other words, they are nothing but attachment or addictions. Of course, there may be some exceptions which can offer the mental level comfort which is long lasting.

 Ginko tree tunnel Photo by Aes Holding

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Vegan and Vegetarian 絶対菜食主義者と菜食主義者

Vegan and Vegetarian may save us and this planet!
Read the following materials for your better understanding in relation to the three major issues below.
http://plumvillage.org/letters-from-thay/sitting-in-the-autumn-breeze/

1. Environmental issues
 (1) Land degradation
 (2) Climate change
      ① carbon dioxide
      ② methane
      ③ nitrous oxide
      ④ ammonia
 (3) Water scarcity and water pollution
   
2. Health issues

3. Spiritual issues (killing animals)

絶対菜食主義者と菜食主義者は、私たちとこの地球を救うかもしれません!以下の3つの主要問題に関する理解を深めるために、次の資料をご覧下さい。 
http://plumvillage.org/letters-from-thay/sitting-in-the-autumn-breeze/
  
 1. 環境問題 
 (1)土地の荒廃
 (2)気候変動 
      ① 二酸化炭素 
      ② メタン 
      ③ 亜酸化窒素 
      ④ アンモニア 
 (3)水不足と水質汚染 
   
 2. 健康問題 
 
 3. 精神問題(動物殺害) 

Red squirrel taking an adopted baby from nest Photo by Interesting Things

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Self-transformation

A serial killer's brain may be hardwired in a cyclical compulsion. But there must be a therapy to cure it. That's because no baby is born as an evil. There must be a root cause of the brain which is hardwired in a cyclical compulsion. I guess that the inner child had to make up ego (separate self) for self-protection in babyhood in relation with parents and the ego must be the root cause of the brain hardwired in a cyclical compulsion.

I understand that everyone has both good seeds and evil seeds within oneself according to karma till the past life. It is up to who you are, whether you water the good seeds or the evil seeds. If you are ego, you water the evil seeds. If you are true self (non-separate self), you water the good seeds. It is possible to transform your ego to true self in subconscious. I guess the recombination of gene in brain occurs if this self-transformation is completed.

If I use a parable, it will be as follows: "A bug born from a tree eats up the whole tree. A bug can be liken to the wisdom and a tree can be liken to the disturbing mind. Therefore, the disturbing mind itself eliminates the disturbing mind through the wisdom born from the disturbing mind." Thích Nhất Hạnh said, "Just as rust produced by iron corrodes iron, so is the violator of moral law destroyed by his own wrong action."

Pumpkin Sun Photo by Corina Marinescu