This is a wonderfully clear overview of Buddhist philosophy and its relevance to modern life. I particularly appreciate how you've distilled the main concepts down to their essence without oversimplifying. That part about attachment being the root of suffering? Oof, l 100% agree with that. And those three things to work on - being present, finding the right balance with people and stuff, and just being kind - seem doable, yet............
Thanks as always for reading and commenting and sharing Neela! I believe this paradigm can be a life saver, but it's rarely presented in a digestible way. I was trying to do that here. Glad you liked it! ✌️
Baird, Its been a very long time, but I do remember being so influenced by the last couple of pages in Siddartha I was moved to tears. While observing all the endless human striving, he appeared to accept it all with a sense of care and loving detachment. At least, that was my take.
Thanks for re-acquainting me with the framework, the path. The Buddhist practice is simple and elegant, but not always easy...
Thanks Mark. I read "Siddhartha" in college and was equally moved by it. I feel I've been working on understanding that paradigm ever since, and this essay is my summing up. Simple, elegant, hard ... you said it!
I agree with Michael, a very nice summary. If I were to add one thing, it would be the "how" of staying in the now. Many Buddhists will suggest meditation. But at the heart of meditation is "just sitting," something so basic that we sometimes refuse to believe it will help. Our society sets us up to be prepared to respond to whatever happens; "just sitting" is the opposite. Things happen, we notice them, and we let them go. Following the breath is an easy way of having something to return to other than whatever it is that just happened. An astonishing moment for me -- I'm a dilettante at Buddhism, as in much else -- was seeing the "monkey mind" with which I usually respond to the day's events. Something happened, do something about it! Wait, look over there! Something else happened! Better respond. "Just sitting" is an antidote to a self-administered poison we are often addicted to.
Thanks Mitch. I think too much is made of the "watch the breath" method. Simply observing (sensing) anything without a lot of thinking and judging is the trick. Too much ruminating can make us sick.
I once heard in person Aitken Roshi say that he didn't want his students to consider breath counting the heart of meditation. I wasn't ever one of his students, bit couldn't agree more.
Just sitting is perhaps the original form of Ch'an meditation. Kung'ans were a later 11th century innovation. It is in no way inferior to the effortful investigation of the latter, although the latter is billed as a shortcut. I was formally trained in both methods and see how they appeal to different personality types as expedient means. There is a third method of meditation taught in Tibetan dzogchen, and that was at one time used in Tang and maybe Sung dynasty China but has died out there apparently. It involved a twofold method of sky contemplation and dark retreat conjoined with a general bright mental immediacy. I have a little familiarity with that as well but very little formal training. I consider it a very powerful path.
Thanks Michael! Only took me 50+ years to "get it" since reading Siddhartha (Thomas Mann) and taking a meditation course with a zen monk in college. Deep stuff as you know better than most!
I read Siddhartha in college. Stayed up all night to finish it. Felt the earth move a little. Have been trying to figure out why for all these decades. Feeling quite pleased with this essay, as I believe I've finally nailed why this paradigm is so hugely beneficial. Better later than never!
I thought I was already subscribed to this publication, apparently not, sorry!
Would be happy to have you along for the ride AT!
This is a wonderfully clear overview of Buddhist philosophy and its relevance to modern life. I particularly appreciate how you've distilled the main concepts down to their essence without oversimplifying. That part about attachment being the root of suffering? Oof, l 100% agree with that. And those three things to work on - being present, finding the right balance with people and stuff, and just being kind - seem doable, yet............
Happy Monday Baird!
Thanks as always for reading and commenting and sharing Neela! I believe this paradigm can be a life saver, but it's rarely presented in a digestible way. I was trying to do that here. Glad you liked it! ✌️
Baird, Its been a very long time, but I do remember being so influenced by the last couple of pages in Siddartha I was moved to tears. While observing all the endless human striving, he appeared to accept it all with a sense of care and loving detachment. At least, that was my take.
Thanks for re-acquainting me with the framework, the path. The Buddhist practice is simple and elegant, but not always easy...
Thanks Mark. I read "Siddhartha" in college and was equally moved by it. I feel I've been working on understanding that paradigm ever since, and this essay is my summing up. Simple, elegant, hard ... you said it!
I agree with Michael, a very nice summary. If I were to add one thing, it would be the "how" of staying in the now. Many Buddhists will suggest meditation. But at the heart of meditation is "just sitting," something so basic that we sometimes refuse to believe it will help. Our society sets us up to be prepared to respond to whatever happens; "just sitting" is the opposite. Things happen, we notice them, and we let them go. Following the breath is an easy way of having something to return to other than whatever it is that just happened. An astonishing moment for me -- I'm a dilettante at Buddhism, as in much else -- was seeing the "monkey mind" with which I usually respond to the day's events. Something happened, do something about it! Wait, look over there! Something else happened! Better respond. "Just sitting" is an antidote to a self-administered poison we are often addicted to.
Thanks Mitch. I think too much is made of the "watch the breath" method. Simply observing (sensing) anything without a lot of thinking and judging is the trick. Too much ruminating can make us sick.
I once heard in person Aitken Roshi say that he didn't want his students to consider breath counting the heart of meditation. I wasn't ever one of his students, bit couldn't agree more.
Just sitting is perhaps the original form of Ch'an meditation. Kung'ans were a later 11th century innovation. It is in no way inferior to the effortful investigation of the latter, although the latter is billed as a shortcut. I was formally trained in both methods and see how they appeal to different personality types as expedient means. There is a third method of meditation taught in Tibetan dzogchen, and that was at one time used in Tang and maybe Sung dynasty China but has died out there apparently. It involved a twofold method of sky contemplation and dark retreat conjoined with a general bright mental immediacy. I have a little familiarity with that as well but very little formal training. I consider it a very powerful path.
I think you made a very nice summary!
Thanks Michael! Only took me 50+ years to "get it" since reading Siddhartha (Thomas Mann) and taking a meditation course with a zen monk in college. Deep stuff as you know better than most!
I just read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. Lovely bit of synchronicity.
The universe is winking! 😉
I read Siddhartha in college. Stayed up all night to finish it. Felt the earth move a little. Have been trying to figure out why for all these decades. Feeling quite pleased with this essay, as I believe I've finally nailed why this paradigm is so hugely beneficial. Better later than never!