"If you endeavour to realise the object of a desire through "effort", in other words by "thinking" then "doing" something, then you are more likely to block that desire.
It is only possible to Realise genuine desires Through "Being".
Again - we are Human Beings - not Human Doings.
This applies at every level of Experience - even Enlightenment.
Those who strive for Enlightenment can never achieve Enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a state of Being, not a state of striving.
A few weeks ago I mentioned Zen, and that Zen is not always Buddhism.
Zen is the practice of Zazen - of simply Being - whereas Buddhism is a culture built on rules, philosophy and practice based upon "doing" and "thinking" to rules.
Around 2500 years ago, Prince Siddhārtha achieved Enlightenment, not through the philosophical practice that became "Buddhism", but through dedicated Zazen.
Prince Siddhārtha shunned the trappings of his royal birth in the realisation that only by sitting and Being can anything True and Worthwhile be Experienced - including Enlightenment - again Which is a Path, not a definable State of Being.
So again, it is crucial to note that Prince Siddhārtha, in the practice of Zazen, was not "trying" to become Enlightened - that is impossible - he was simply practicing Zazen which is, in and of itself, a Path of Enlightenment - not "to" Enlightenment. During Zazen the Buddha State of Being is Experienced. Buddha is just a Symbol for the Experience of Being. Enlightenment is that Journey - not Enlightenment itself.
"To" implies a start and finish, a beginning and an end - these are erroneous ideas.
In Being, All Is One and Now. There are no "paths, only the journey.
Those seeking Enlightenment are driven by Ego and Karma. Enlightenment is a process of Becoming in the Only Moment - Now. It is only possible Experience Enlightenment by Being - not by seeking or doing.Zazen is not a "practice". To "practice" is to "do" rather than to Be.
Now I mention Zazen only because it is pure, and a phrase that anyone me research for themselves. Ultimately even giving "Zazen" a name is erroneous, born out of a need to identify with something that can never be identified with.
To identify with Zazen is a paradox that can never be realised." - Adrian P. Cooper, excerpted from January 10, 2010 "Our Ultimate Reality" newsletter
The Buddha sits tall
no Beginning and no End
is this Samadhi ?
Winter Haiku 2010 , Bliss
Posted by: Justin Marx | January 18, 2010 at 08:45 AM
Welcome back.
Posted by: Rebecca P | January 29, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Good to see you back!
Posted by: donna | February 04, 2010 at 11:59 PM