As It Is
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
With palms together,
Good Morning All,
Playing chess last night I watched my mind as my brain exercised itself. We have a small group of men who are now meeting weekly to play this ancient game. The experience of sitting down in front of an opponent with only your mind as a weapon is remarkable.
I imagine little neural pathways being created. I imagine my "eye" increasing its view, collapsing space and time, so that three or four moves can be visualized and experienced as the board shifts its geometrical structure. This exercise, in tandem with the drugs, I see helping my brain fight off the disease process. All of this without lifting a finger to touch a piece.
One of my disciples asked about an experience he had on the cushion. He said he experienced being in an ever-expanding universe, witnessing himself move through infinity. All without leaving the cushion. Of course, this is not zazen, but it is meditation on a point. Much like focusing on a mandala visually or a mantra with sound and breath. In the focus, we drop away self. He reported that this was scary. But yet, it was enjoyable.
Caution here. We should not allow ourselves to become attached to or seek out such experiences. They are curious, but they are not goals. Our goal is to be completely no where special, just here, now, as it is. And as we are here, now, as it is, there is no "we" just the here as it is.
What's your next move?
Be well.
Good Morning All,
Playing chess last night I watched my mind as my brain exercised itself. We have a small group of men who are now meeting weekly to play this ancient game. The experience of sitting down in front of an opponent with only your mind as a weapon is remarkable.
I imagine little neural pathways being created. I imagine my "eye" increasing its view, collapsing space and time, so that three or four moves can be visualized and experienced as the board shifts its geometrical structure. This exercise, in tandem with the drugs, I see helping my brain fight off the disease process. All of this without lifting a finger to touch a piece.
One of my disciples asked about an experience he had on the cushion. He said he experienced being in an ever-expanding universe, witnessing himself move through infinity. All without leaving the cushion. Of course, this is not zazen, but it is meditation on a point. Much like focusing on a mandala visually or a mantra with sound and breath. In the focus, we drop away self. He reported that this was scary. But yet, it was enjoyable.
Caution here. We should not allow ourselves to become attached to or seek out such experiences. They are curious, but they are not goals. Our goal is to be completely no where special, just here, now, as it is. And as we are here, now, as it is, there is no "we" just the here as it is.
What's your next move?
Be well.