Posts in the “zen” category

QZ.com published information about a scientific study to capture images of your brain on LSD. Quotes from the article:

“Nutt’s study ... was the first to use brain imaging to show the effects of LSD ... it showed that the drug weakens the rhythm of alpha brainwaves, which are known to be stronger in humans than other animals, and are considered a signature of high-level consciousness.”

“The study also found that LSD causes brain activity to become less coordinated in regions that make up the brain’s ‘default mode network,’ which is responsible for maintaining a stable sense of self. The greater the drug’s effect on the brain, the more participants experienced ego-dissolution, where the self melds with world around you.”

From the accompanying video: “LSD can also make people lose their sense of self ... as the higher-level network disintegrates, and normally estranged parts of the brain begin to interact, people’s thoughts and the outside world start to feel like the same thing.”

“Zen is above all a matter of personal experience. The student is asked to accept nothing the truth of which he cannot demonstrate for himself, with his own mind and body.”

~ Zen Training

It’s just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You’d give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will —
Learn to be still

~ from The Eagles song, Learn To Be Still

“When you see a plum blossom, or hear the sound of a small stone hitting bamboo, that is a letter from the world of emptiness.”

A quote from a Lion’s Roar article, Shikantaza is Understanding Emptiness.

“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”

~ Robert Pirsig

This is a favorite quote from the book, Zen Training. Anyone who has ever meditated deeply at home, in the mountains, or on retreat has probably had these feelings.

“A thousand days of training to develop, ten thousand days of training to polish.”

“It takes a thousand days to forge the spirit, and ten thousand days to polish it.”

~ These are two variations of a quote I saw today by Miyamoto Musashi

“How can we prevent our thoughts from wandering? How can we learn to focus our attention on one thing?”

“The answer is that we cannot do it with our brain alone; the brain cannot control its thoughts by itself. The power to control the activity of our mind comes from the body, and it depends critically on posture and breathing.”

~ From the book, Zen Training, by Katsuki Sekida

From a translation of the Tao Te Ching:

The master, by residing in the Tao (the Way),
sets an example for all beings.

Because he doesn’t display himself,
people can see his light.

Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.

Because he doesn’t know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.

(I recommend that third stanza in particular for people who are interested in consulting.)

“Live in the now.” From a favorite book by Eckhart Tolle, Guardians of Being.

“Only open your mouth if what you are going to say is more beautiful than silence.”

~ Zen quote

From the back cover of, Two Zen Classics: The Gateless Gate (Mumonkan) and The Blue Cliff Records (Hekiganroku):

“Katsuki Sekida (1893–1987) was by profession a high school teacher of English until his retirement in 1945. Zen, nevertheless, was his lifelong preoccupation.”

Similarly, my work these days involves computer programming, and my preoccupation is Zen and meditation. Unless you’re willing to go live in a monastery, we all have to work to pay the bills, but that doesn’t mean we can’t practice.

From this vox.com article: “When the 12 Thai boys who were trapped in a cave and were rescued one by one were first discovered by British divers last Monday, they were reportedly meditating ... Turns out that their coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, trained in meditation as a Buddhist monk for a decade before becoming a soccer coach.”

I don’t remember the original source of this Zen selfie stick image, but I like it.

“I’ve stuck with Zen because it is unflinchingly honest, but at the same time accepting, kind, and caring — not in a soft syrupy way, but in a rugged, rough and tumble way. To become clear you have to see what’s really there, all the mental junk you’ve made and accumulated over the years. The honesty will force you to acknowledge the parts of yourself you’d rather keep hidden. The acceptance allows you to look at the less savory parts of your self without being overly self-critical.”

~ from this kwanumzen.org page

ramdass.org has an article titled, 17 ways to use meditation for anxiety relief right now.

A friend once told me he had no self-confidence. “That’s good,“ I said, “You’re halfway there. All you need now is no no-self-confidence.”

#zen

I’m not a huge believer in certain types of karma in this world, but Jack Kornfield offers this discussion about karma related to speech, and intention:

“Speech is one area in which karma can be seen in an easy and direct way. For this exercise, resolve to take two or three days to carefully notice the intentions that motivate your speech. Direct your attention to the state of mind that precedes talking, the motivation for your comments, responses, and observations. Try to be particularly aware of whether your speech is even subtly motivated by boredom, concern, irritation, loneliness, compassion, fear, love, competitiveness, greed, or whatever state you observe ... Simply notice the various motivations in the mind and the speech that flows from them.”

“Then, after discovering which motivation is present as you speak, notice the effect of the speech. If there is competitiveness or grasping or pride or irritation behind the speech, what response does it elicit from the world around you? If there is compassion or love, what is the response? If your speech is mindless, as if you were on automatic pilot, what is the response? If there is clarity and concern, how is this received and responded to?”

It brings up an excellent point: What motivates your speech?

Thoughts from the Dalai Lama on home, helping others, and living a meaningful life.

I don’t know the origin of this “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace” Dalai Lama - Homer Simpson cartoon, but I like it.