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This way for 3 new chapters on Idealism and Evolutionary Psychology https://whoweare.elementor.cloud/en/idealism/

[macdougdoug]

The spring

The mother, the child, the dreamer, the factory worker, hoping, struggling, laughing.

Swept along by the torrent bubbling in their hearts and minds

Til it ends - as suddenly as it began - to be played out again somewhere else

Again and again - until one day Love looks out through our eyes

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Once upon a time..

Why do similar stories exist all over the world in totally different cultures? How does our relationship with narrative affect our experience of reality. (3 short chapters based on the work of historian Dr. Julien d'Huy)

https://whoweare.elementor.cloud/en/contents/2/

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Karma

With respect to suffering : self-centered action reinforces our Karma, as in reinforces reality of self and experience, and thus suffering. Zazen is letting go of experience, thus is not reinforcing Karma.

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Biblical Zazen

The human story in the Bible can be read like this : We are thrown into the world, suffering due to our sense of self brought about by our knowledge of good and evil - and Christ shows us the way out of this cycle of suffering by embracing forgiveness and the death of the self, which is the doorway to living a life in union with the divine

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Absurdism

Absurdity is the confusion that stems from the conflict between our point of view and reality as it is

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Surrender

Surprising as it might seem : we’re all doing our best.

But obviously, despite (or because of) our best efforts, the house is very much on fire. We are hurt by what we see, and we spread that pain about.

In order to give up, we must first see that all this pain, inside and out, is being spread by me.

From one single occurence - like a word, a noise, a grimace, a smile - my brain has already painted a clear and undeniable and complex fantasy - and I will act accordingly - be it with violence or pleasing words.

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How to Look

When it comes to looking, attitude is key. What is important is not so much what I am saying, but the quality of our Relationship. How is that quality right now? Between us. Between you and the words on the screen. Between you and your biological and cultural conditioning?

When it comes to looking, motive is key. Are we appreciating the unique quality of what is, or are we aiming for a target? Are we comparing, compartmentalizing, or are we receptive, sensitive, fearless?

Understanding is a disposition, not Something we acquire. Freedom of understanding is about how we relate to what is, not what we can grasp. When we listen is there conflict?

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Mainly about meditation 

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“It is the Truth that liberates you, not your effort to be free”

J. Krishnamurti

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Doubt

Doubt frees us from belief. Belief frees us from doubt. In Zazen we watch as the waves crash against the shore and dissapear.

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Belief

If I believe that by holding certain special beliefs I shall finally be able to see clearly; I am chasing my tail. 

If I think that by struggling with my thoughts, I shall finally find peace; I am chasing my tail. If I follow my fears and my desires, I shall only find more fears and desires. First of all : have no fear. Only then sit quietly.

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Zen Teaching of Huang Po - work in progress on a 9th century Ch'an text

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Free from truth

With each moment, innocence is anew, 

forever freed from the passing instant 

as there is only flux.

Lightness of being comes from losing excess baggage

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Reality

We are caught up in our everchanging thoughts and emotions.

Mostly we do not even realise that they are just thoughts and emotions, and consider them to be actual reality.

Our minds are full of "if's, buts and therefores" and thus so is everything we see

[macdougdoug]

No methods - no beliefs, Infinity only fits into open and uncluttered hearts.