I like the tension you notice with those. I also find that experiencing emptiness is where I move beyond a sense of a "solid self" into a unitive experience of flow.
In an outward sense, this part of the liturgy refers to the physical monastery and that building in which the monks gather to practice sitting meditation using koans. In the inner meaning, the "great Hall" is ones own true nature. The "of practice" is the effort at self-realization. In essence, self is seeking itself, motionless effortlessness is always in motion and effort, and that's a good thing, a very positive thing. The lived experience can be very like as Kapleau Roshi once said, two drunks fighting or as I once put it, a log racing down a rushing flume. 🙂. Actually it is inexpressible, so they say.
Very fine poem! It reminds me of Kant in his Critique of Pure Reason saying "Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind” by which he meant something entirely different but the juxtaposition is pleasing to me. Well done, Baird!
And, sailing safely between the two of them -- a little ship singing "AYYYY LMAO."
I like the tension you notice with those. I also find that experiencing emptiness is where I move beyond a sense of a "solid self" into a unitive experience of flow.
Tension and flow. Thanks for picking up on the essentials Hans!
Striving without grounding yourself can feel empty, and being present without intention can feel just as hollow. Less is indeed more Baird :)
"Striving without grounding yourself can feel empty, and being present without intention can feel just as hollow."
I like the way you put that Neela. Grounding and intention. Bingo!
In my morning liturgy I say something like this
"This is the great Hall,
The great Hall of practice.
Where else but from here
Can the radience of Awakening shine forth?
This I deem a joyous thing."
In an outward sense, this part of the liturgy refers to the physical monastery and that building in which the monks gather to practice sitting meditation using koans. In the inner meaning, the "great Hall" is ones own true nature. The "of practice" is the effort at self-realization. In essence, self is seeking itself, motionless effortlessness is always in motion and effort, and that's a good thing, a very positive thing. The lived experience can be very like as Kapleau Roshi once said, two drunks fighting or as I once put it, a log racing down a rushing flume. 🙂. Actually it is inexpressible, so they say.
The Great Hall of Practice. The beautiful game. Life.
We're on the same wave length Michael! ✌️
Very fine poem! It reminds me of Kant in his Critique of Pure Reason saying "Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind” by which he meant something entirely different but the juxtaposition is pleasing to me. Well done, Baird!
Thanks for sharing what my writing brings to mind for you Michael!
Wow! This is great. Pithy and profound. Well mined, Baird.
Thanks so much Michelle! I surprised myself with this one, which is an interesting experience.
Yeah, I love it when you impress yourself 😂
short but deep :)
Thanks Dave. I quit while I was ahead on this one!
you stopped at the exact right moment :)