#yes that second one is little q in their original mortal form

[cchipollo]

its been a while since ive posted about little q

[crumpledsilkskin-blog]

WEEKLY PROMPT CHALLENGE#2 : A new God/Goddess has just been born. As its  assigned vassal, your job is to explain to it not only what it's role within it's own pantheon is, but also, what is its role towards humanity .

There was a loud boom then an intense wringing in my ear. Then again, I never did understand the big boss’s words. I wasn’t supposed to. Only those with a big golden seat got to actually hear the words. All I knew were the routines. An address was thunder a lightning. A new creed, a harmonious choir. Booms? Booms were a birth. A new omnipotent entity all ripe for the teaching.

All Gods and goddess are born from nothing. Humans have all kinds of names for it. Ether, Space, the Metaverse. Then again, they once thought their world was flat. The truth is all things. Whether they’re Gods, Goddesses, Planets or Universes they all come from the big boss. Matter of fact, they are the big boss. It’s not an easy concept to grasp for most entities. Sentient things like to think they’re in control of themselves and the world around them. No one wants to think the sum of their entire existence, is equal to that of a white blood cell.

From the darkness of space emerged an androgynous figure. Vaguely human, it looked like the entire cosmos, making an attempt to be man.

“Hi!” I said with a wave. The entity changed. It went from looking like the cosmos, to a brightly shining human being. I put up my hands in protest. “Easy now, calm down.” It seemed to crouch and its skin became a scene of an erupting volcano. “I know, I know. Life can be scary. Just repeat after me. I. AM. BORN.”

The entity stood up. It was still for a moment, before a mouth formed on what would be it’s face and shouted. “I AM BORN, BUT WHAT IS BIRTH? THE FIRE OF LIFE. THE QUINTESSENCE OF EXISTENCE. WHAT IS A GOD BUT WHAT HIS LESSERS MAKE OF HIM. WHAT HIS EQUALS WANT OF HIM. TO BE BORN IS TO KNOW TRUTH. TO KNOW TRUTH IS TO KNOW LIFE. I AM….I AM.”

It stopped and held its head in its hand. Its last phrase echoed on repeat.

“Ok stop, stop,” I said. “That’s good. Just stop now, it’ll make sense soon enough.” I nodded.

It stopped and stood straight once more. “I AM CALM.” It shouted again. I could feel its voice resonate throughout my entire body.

I stuck a finger in my ear and wiggled it around. “Ok, I’m going to have to wait till you learn the difference between shout and speak.”

“I already know the difference between shout and speak. To be a God is to know your every word has power. Power should not be uttered in the same vein as speech,” It said. Its voice no longer booming but velvety and soft.

I sighed.” Oh boy. Where are your sisters when I need them?”

“By sisters you mean L—“

“AH!” I screeched. “I can’t hear their names! I’m YOUR vassal and we’re on the neutral plane. This isn’t earth.”

It nodded. “I’m well aware. My sisters are the Goddesses of growth and understanding. The twin fairies. If I utter their names to you here, you’ll age until you cease to exist.”

“Exactly!” I shouted.

“But you mentioned them. Were you afraid of the cessation of your existence, I would think you to avoid it.”  It nodded.

I took a deep breath. I understood that it was a new God. It’s power still growing, but still… To hold my life with such little regard, especially from the very God I serve. It was jarring to say the least.

“Ok let’s…move on.” I sighed. “Hold out your hand. “Without hesitation it complied and within seconds a golden book appeared in its outstretched hand. “That! Is your—“

“Item of power.” It interrupted.” I know.” It opened the book and the pages turned for themselves endlessly.” I know as long as the book is open it will not end. I know it is the sum of all knowledge that was. All knowledge that is. All knowledge that will be. It is my job that it always remain open, so that knowledge may gather on its pages.”

“That’s right!” I applauded.” Because you are?”

“PRAECLIOUS. GOD OF KNOWLEDGE AND INTELLIGENCE.”  It shouted once again. Pride echoed in its voice. Its skin was once again that of the cosmos and a pair of piercing eyes had joined its mouth. “I know who I am and what my role is. I know I am to hold dominion over information. What I do not understand is, why are YOU needed when I know everything?”

It was like being called to sing on stage. I’d been waiting patiently for this moment, since he boomed himself into existence. With a large grin plastered on my face, I clapped and we were transported through time and space. Past planets and stars and nebulas, till finally we arrived. Thousands of feet above the earth.

“Ok, breathe,” I said.

“A God does not require breath.” It replied.

“I know.” I nodded.” Still…breathe.”

It took a deep breath and instantly, we were transported to a street. Buildings rose and collapsed within seconds. Cars, horses, people and roadways did the same. Life was as a blur.

“Mortals, humans. Measures time. Barely a sentence in the sum of existence.”

“I know, but look at them.” I urged.

Praeclious turned towards the rush of human life and all time stopped. He was focused, contemplative. Yet still unable to see humans as he should. “I know all about humans, but I still don’t understand the reason for this.”

I sighed once more. “Again, I really wish we had your sisters for this. It would make this so much easier.”  Praeclious looked at me and tilted its head. “Ok, the reason is simple. Humans have existed as long as we’ve existed. They may disappear for a while, but they always come back. They’re always there every time we’re there and yet, no one is sure who created them.” I shrugged. “Sure, many have claimed they did. Their prophets sure seem to think so. But no one knows. The big boss doesn’t know and he wants to. Humans are the source of his power. Your power. Every deity owes their power and existence to humans and –“

“Yahweh. Jehovah. Does this God not have answers?”

“Hoo boy. Am I lucky we aren’t on the neutral plane. You do not want to mention his name there AT ALL.” I chuckled.” Look I’m sure you’ve got all the knowledge you need to on him. So I don’t need to go into why a God in one pantheon, can’t speak to another God in another pantheon. We’re not like humans, we don’t exchange information. If we want to know, we just know. The downside is we only know what we know as we know it. We don’t know what we can know and don’t know as we know it or how others might know it. Understand?”

Praeclious stayed silent for a moment then responded. “I understand we cannot speak to him.”

“Right!” I nodded. “So we have to learn and how does an omnipotent God learn? He creates another God that does it for him.” I snapped my fingers and time once again started to move, though this time at a normal pace. “The reason you exist, is to learn why humans exist AND why our existence is tied so strongly to them.”

“What would this accomplish?” It asked.

“If your book had an end, would you not want to know where? Would you not like to know how to make it longer? Stronger? How it could make you happier? Healthier?”

“Does our progenitor not know?” Praeclious asked.

“He does know. It’s all a part of him but he needs you to know so he can know.”  Praeclious’ face seemed to grow confused. “Damn it if you were just a few minutes older I wouldn’t need to find the words.” I sighed. “Alright, you know how humans sometimes lose a thought and they can’t remember and they try very hard, but it doesn’t come back to them?”

“Yes.” It replied.

“Right! It’s that. He’s too busy with…everything, but he wants that answer. It was originally your sisters’ job but they take too long, because they’d rather love humans than learn from them.” I shrugged.

Praeclious looked down at the ground and said. “I see. Very well. I should get started.”

“Wait!” I shouted. “There’s still one last thing we need to do.” I snapped my fingers and we once again transported to the neutral plane. Only this time, the earth was beneath us. “You need worship. You can’t do anything without worship. So first things first, you need an avatar.”

“A mouthpiece. Prophet. A human vassal through which I gain power.” Praeclious responded.

“Yes!” I nodded. “I don’t need to tell you to choose wisely because I know you will. Just, fair warning. Humans have these things called genders. They may start calling you he or she. Take that into account when you’re giving them your commandments cause once they start, your form will change according to their will.”

“Very well” Praeclious nodded. He stared at the earth intensely before he pointed at it and said. “ I choose…them.”

@mareebrittenford  @doctor-q @heymichigeeks @lilyrosethedreamer

[vevehoshizora]

EARTH & FIRE - (moana) maui x reader

r e q u e s t e d

“Could I get a request with readerxMaui? The reader is another demigod but of the Fire and earth, she has lived with Moana’s family ever since Maui took the heart, but she has never really forgotten him. But she promises Moana’s grandmother that she will protect Moana so when they find Maui and he chits her in that cave, the reader gets mad and actually reveals herself sooner than planned. Sorry if that is too specific, if you can’t do that, that’s okay.”

|[ 1,872 words ]|

Y/N = your name

In this, you took a different appearance. Only small changes like covering your tattoos (which are basically like Maui’s) and changing your height.

◢ ◣◥ ◤ ◢ ◣◥ ◤ ◢ ◣◥ ◤

 Maui… How long has it been since you had last seen Maui? You felt has if it had been thousands of years. And maybe it had.

 You closed your eyes, vaguely remembering his taunting smirk, his soft hair, his deep voice and his tattoos, recounting both of your exploits. You used to be best friend, or you liked to think a little more. Yet, your relationship had never really been established.

 You both had been saved by the Gods, him because his family had abandon him to the sea while yours had died in a storm. You had become demigods. Maui was the demigod of the wind and sea while you were the demigoddess of the earth and fire. Together, you had accomplished many feats. You had pulled island from the seas, extended the day by slowing down the sun, stole fire from the bottom of the earth to provide humans with light and warmth and many other things.

 But then, Maui had stolen the heart of Te Fiti. You had tried to stopped him, but he deeply thought that pleasing mans was his only way to be loved. You had find shelter in Motunui, the village warmly welcoming you. You had taken a new appearance as well: covering your tattoos while reducing your height.

 You frowned has you were snapped back to reality by someone calling your name. Sina was standing before you, a worried expression on her face. “Y/N? Are you alright?” she asked. “Yeah, sorry, I got distracted,” you responded with a small smile.

 You went back to work, collecting coconuts as Moana watched from afar with a frown. Later that day, the chief’s daughter approached you. “Are you sure everything’s fine?” she demanded, “You kinda looked sad earlier.”

 "It was nothing, I was just lost in thought,“ you explained. The young girl looked unsure, but let it go: “If you say so…”

 "I was planning on visiting Gramma, do you want to come with me?“ she questioned. A smile flashed onto your face. “Of course, you know how much I love Tala, she’s like a second mother to me.”

 The sun was setting, causing a orange-pink hue to invade the sky. A small fire was lit in Gramma Tala’s tent as you both were sited on opposite side. You were deeply looking in the fire that you had created using your powers.

 "Tala, there’s something wrong. Aren’t there?“ you suddenly asked. There was a silence before the elder women answered: “Yes… When Maui took the heart, he caused a great malediction to fall upon the world. I fear that life is fading away from our earth.”

 "Is that why I’ve been weakened? I feel like my powers are diminishing. Like, I’m losing them,“ you realize. "It may be a reason. But, I think I’ve found the solution. Moana is the one that will restore the heart of Te Fiti,” Tala informed. “What? But that would mean that she’d have to pass through Te Ka, you can’t let her go on a suicide mission,” you protested.

 "I believe in her abilities, and so should you. The ocean was the one to choose her. I want you to accompany her on her quest,“ the elder replied. You thought for a second as to what this quest implied: "Alright. I promise to do everything to protect her.”

 "I know you will. But, you will need help along the way. You will need to find Maui,“ Tala said. "What? No. No way,” you laughed. 

 "And why is that?“

 "I- He- He won’t help us.”

 "That is why you will convince him.“

 "I can’t,” you exclaimed, losing your temper. Unshaken, Tala unconvincingly looked at you. You continued: “I- I just feel like… Like I gave everything to Maui, but he- he never gave something back. He just took it and then threw it away because he thought it wasn’t enough for him…”

 "Y/N… Everyone makes mistake. And I believe that Maui may have made more than others. He will listen to you. Don’t you want to see him again?“ Tala asked. You were silent for some time, thinking about the question.

 "Fine, I’ll convince him.”

 You woke up, startled, when water crashed on you. Sitting up, you coughed as you observe the area around you, shielding your eyes from the blinding light of the sun. You found Moana laying a few feet away and you remembered the event of last night.

 You had been caught in a storm, which had thrown you and the younger girl to the raging sea. You caught sight of your boat higher on the island’s beach and thanked the god for their gratefulness. At least, you hadn’t lost your ship.

 Getting up, you headed to Moana who was slowly starting to wake up. She opened her eyes, meeting yours, and muttered a small “Hey”.

 You chuckled, helping her to her feet. “Are you alright?” you questioned. The girl nodded before sarcastically adding: “Aside from learning only yesterday that the weight of the world rested on my shoulders, that I have to fight a giant lava monster, that I have to find Maui and that YOU are is fellow hero, the demigoddess of the Earth and Fire, everything is just peachy.”

 You grimaced at her way of putting it. “I’m sorry for not telling you…” you apologized, looking away. The girl’s gaze softened: “It’s okay.”

 Followed by Moana, you approached your boat, which was on its side. “Boat! A boat!” a male voice suddenly exclaimed from the other side of the ship. You saw Maui’s form appeared on your side: “The Gods have given me a- AAH!”

 The demigod yelped as he came face to face with Moana and you, but he quickly regained composure. You were frozen in place while Moana stepped forward.

 "Maui, shapeshifter, demigod of the wind and sea. I am Moana-“ the younger girl started. "Hero of Man,” Maui suddenly cut her off.

 "Wh-What?“ the fazed girl stammered. "It’s actually Maui, shapeshifter, hero of Man. I interrupted, from the top, hero of Man. Go,” Maui explained. Moana took a large breath: “I am Mo-”

 "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. And women. Man and women. Both. All. Not a guy-girl thing. Ah, you know, Maui is a hero to all. You’re doing great,“ the demigod added. The girl glanced at you, taking notice of the deep frown decorating your face. "What? No, I came here to-” she tied to explain.

 "Oh, of course, of course. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Maui always has time for its fans. When you use a bird to write it, it’s called tweeting. I know, not everyday you get a chance to meet your hero.“

 "Always has time for his fans, but not for his friends,” you muttered under your breath. It still was enough to attract Maui’s attention. He looked intrigued by you, but, before he could say anything, Moana added: “You are not my hero. And I’m not here so you can sign my oar. I’m here because you stole the heart of Te Fiti and you will board my boat, sail across the sea, and put it back.”

 "Yeah… It almost sounds like you don’t like me, which is impossible because I got stuck here for a thousand years, trying to get the heart as a gift for you mortals so you could have the power to create life itself. Yeah. So what I believe you were trying to say is ‘thank you’,“ the demigod said. Moana, for her part, looked utterly confused while your eyebrow was twitching.

 "Thank you?” she repeated. “You’re welcome,” a smirking Maui replied. Moana’s eyes widened: “Wait, no, no, no. I-I didn’t- I wasn’t- why would I ever say-" 

 As Maui started singing, you were extremely surprised. The demigod had never really sung while with you. But, when actually hearing him sing, it was easy to get distract and dance along to his voice.

 "Thank you!” Maui exclaimed as he pushed both of you in the cavern and sealed off the opening with a giant rock. Moan gasped while you stared, mouth hanging in indignation. “Hey, let us out! You lying, slummy, son of a- ARGH!” the girl screamed in anger as she turned to you.

 You gritted your teeth and, eyes wide, Moana took a few steps away from you. You approached the rock with a dangerous smile, before punching it with all your strength.

 A surprised Maui, whom was currently preparing to sail, watched as the rock was propelled away from the island far into the sea. With a dumbfound look, Maui turned back to the island, watching as you stalked towards him with an angered expression while Moana trailed behind you with a sheepish smile.

 "You are an egotistical stubborn idiot, Maui! Have you never realize that I gave you all my love! Wasn’t it enough? I loved you with all my heart, but you threw it out to the sea!“ you exclaimed while Maui looked at you in shocked.

 In the heat of the moment, you hadn’t realized that you had lost your disguise, taking back your demigoddess’ form. Tattoos now were covering your body, symbols of your exploits with Maui, your silhouette now stood tall beside Moana, arriving at Maui’s height.

 ”… Y/N? Is that you?“ the demigod asked. Your eyes widened and you finally realized that you were back to your original form. You stiffly nodded. Maui stared at you before he stuttered, which took you by surprise: "I- I… I never knew, Y/N… I-”

 There was a long silence in which Moana’s gaze continuously switched from Maui to you and vice versa. After some time, you turned to the younger girl.

 "Let’s go, Moa. I knew it was going to happen. I don’t even know why we came here to begin with…“ you dejectedly shook your head. You started to walk away, when you were suddenly stopped by Maui.

 The demigod gently took your arm. You turned back, confused, only for Maui to take you in his arm, holding you close to him. Your eyes widened comically as Moana stammered that she would wait further away.

 "I’m so, so sorry, Y/N… You are right… I do am an idiot. I-I never realized that you wanted to be more than friend. I always thought that our relation was solely platonic, and, for that, I was wrong…” Maui said, “I love you too, Y/N.”

 He deposed a kiss on your forehead. “I was simply hurt…” you whispered, hugging him close, knowing that obtaining an apology from him wasn’t an easy task. “And you had every right to. I… acted like an idiot. I was only thinking of myself back then, and I made a mistake, losing you in the process. I promise I’m gonna win you back, I’m gonna help you and Moana with her quest, I-“ Maui said.

 You cut in off by planting your lips on his. The rest of his sentence vanished into nothingness as he returned the gesture with eagerness. When you finally separated, he was wearing the smirk he was known for.

 "You already did… Win me back that is,” you explained, “You still have to help Moana and I, though.”

 He simply nodded.

[the-path-of-zen]

The Transcendence Q & A

Q: What do you mean by transcendence?

A: Can you see "that" which asks this question? Can you hear it? Can the nose smell it or can the tongue taste it? Can you become conscious of it? In truth, you cannot. And because you can't, something mysterious transcends the sphere of the six senses.

Q: But if I can't perceive it, it doesn't exist. So, why even bother with transcending?

A: You can't see wind either or hear vision or see smells. But that does not prove the nonexistence of wind, vision or smell. If we wish to stop suffering, then we must turn to that which is free of suffering--despite the fact that the senses can't see it. The very minute we do, that is transcendence.

Q: You are saying then, that the Buddha's enlightenment is outside of the sphere of the six senses.

A: Yes.

Q: But that sounds like some kind of God or Soul. Didn't the Buddha deny an absolute? Isn't this world, itself, the absolute when we see it as being purely empty--when we empty it of form?

A: Not to my recollection--although many academic Buddhists think so. He just pointed out that such words, rather than being vital and real, evoke impermanent mental images which should be recognized to be empty. What is absolute, is beyond the emptiness of speech and mental imagining. Nor can it be experienced as some gurus imagine.

Q: You didn't answer the second part of my last question. Isn't this world the absolute when we see it as empty?

A: Some Buddhists, I am sure, believe that. It is like making a mountain into rocks, then crushing the rocks into powder, then making the powder into aether! But that is a destructive view. The true nature of the cosmos is already empty; it cannot be made empty a second time. It is like watching ripples of water. Only the form changes--the content is still the same.

Q: To me, this is just a bunch of mystical mumbo-jumbo. I find it just to be word-games. It doesn't help our world one bit. So-called transcending, I am convinced, won't do a single thing to help anyone, least of all, a starving child. Isn't this kind of Zen irrelevant? In our Zen center we are helping each other to become better human beings and to make this world a better place.

A: To make the world a better place, as you use the term, only means to make people comfortable. On the other hand, what the Buddha preached and what the Zen masters of old transmitted, was a means for making us truly happy by learning how to distinguish the undying from the mortal. As a result, it is possible to stop clinging to finite appearances such as this mortal dung heap which is a lasting cause of sorrow. Personally, I think it is better to be comfortable and wise, rather than be comfortable and ignorant. Your approach is too narrow. You can't exclude the mysterious. If you want to give everyone mental problems, then destroy the mystical. But such a path, I must add, is one of lasting alienation.

Q: What do you mean by that last remark?

A: At the deepest level, we are Buddhas. But by looking outwards to what is an image of our Buddha-nature, we become confused because we can't see our imageless Buddha-nature. Nothing lines up, so to speak. This is alienation which is the difference between our Buddha-potentiality and our current state of progress marching towards Buddhahood. In addition, this is disharmony which is the same as suffering. Now, what you propose is that we all give up the long march towards harmony with our original Buddha-nature and turn into moralists, instead. Well, by doing that, alienation can only get worse-not better. Don't you see that we are all unhappy because we are not practicing the Dharma, learning how to remember our Buddha-nature?

Q: But aren't we really unhappy because we haven't the things we need and require as human beings?

A: When I was a little boy, we lived with no electricity. We had an old radio with "B-batteries". We even had a Ward's icebox that held a huge block of ice in it! Now we have electricity, T.V., computers and refrigerators--but we are still unhappy. Everyone is on Prozac--even little children. Something is wrong. Technology isn't making anyone happy--I like the good old days anyway! Seriously, we have to look within, trying instead, to remember where our Buddha-nature is located. Life will become happy again if we do that. I know that to be a fact.

Q: So you are saying that to study the Dharma will make us feel less alienated?

A: Yes. And to follow the ways of the world will make you unhappy. And to follow religions which only teach you how to cope with the ways of the world will make you unhappy. However, the more you study authentic Dharma, the less medications you will need [laughing].

Text by Zenmar, the Dark Zen mystic

The Manual of Dark Zen – FREE BOOK GET YOUR COPY

[the-path-of-zen]

Dark Zen Meditation Part 1

Q: What is the meditation of being mindfulness of in-and-out breathing?

A: From the perspective of Dark Zen it means that fundamentally we are unrelated to in-and-out breathing.

Q: What! I have never heard that before. I thought that mindfulness of in-and-out breathing meant that we must follow our breath. Isn't that right?

A: If you follow something, aren't you led by it? In that case you are less than what you follow. And don't you also, as a consequence, become more of what you follow?

Q: Yes, of course. But isn't that what the Buddha is telling us to doing this particular form of meditation? I mean—aren't we supposed to be aware of our breathing?

A: Why would the Buddha, who is detached from his corporeal body, teach his students to be dependent on the breath cycles, as if to be led by them? Maybe he is telling his students to remember what is before in-and-out breathing so as to be aloof from any kind of breath attachment—and overall, the mortal body.

Q: Give me a practical example. I am confused right now.

A: When I meditate, I first recollect the antecedent source of my breathing. In this state, when breathing is going on, I maintain a recollection which is prior to the totality of breathing which is most imperceptible.

Q: I am still confused. Explain to me again what you mean.

A: First, assume the proper meditation posture that you have been taught. Next, just breathe in and out for a few seconds. Fine. Now, do this. Activate your out-breath so as to breathe it out. Next, activate your in-breath, so as to breathe it in. This would be like actively thrusting your hand out, then taking it back in thinking, I am thrusting my hand out; now I am drawing it in. So, do that now with your breathing. And think all the while that what is doing the breathing is always prior to both in-and-out breathing.

Q: Okay. It's a little strange, but I sense a small 'energy' of sorts growing in me when I do that. I see what you mean. Curiously, something is happening. A: Hey, that is great! That means that you are energizing your breathing by being a little bit before it. Just let me say, that the more prior you can manage to become, the more you will sense the breathing as being energized. Q: Where does the mindfulness come into play?

A: Mindfulness actually means to recollect that which is, let us say, the one who is free of breathing! This one is always before in-and-out breathing—just remember that. By recollecting it, the more of you eventually begins to spiritually separate from the body—in a spiritual way that is—thus being able to distinguish the body from that which is not the body.

Q: May I ask you where you learned this type of meditation?

A: If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. In the course of practice, many things happen which cannot be explained. One day you just try something different. Then, pow! Something extraordinary happens. Then you re-read a few Sutras and discover the Buddha was a slippery old devil. Nothing magic, but nothing ordinary either.

Q: Do you think that maybe you invented something new?

A: Let's put it this way - I was just lucky to discover what I think the Buddha figured out a long time ago.

Q: Do you practice it? And what is it like?

A: Sure. After a while you can even get past your heart beats. Sometimes I can, for a moment, get past the body. It is quite weird.

Q: Do you teach this kind of meditation?

A: No, not personally. I haven't either the space nor the money to teach. In what amounts to living in a back room and eating beans and rice, I do the best I can.

Q: I don't believe that. Well, anyway, I hope someone helps you.

A: Me too. But I don't expect anything. We just happen to live in a time when everyone wants money and power. Most people could care less about this kind of stuff, unless, of course, it helps them with their task of making a million dollars! [laughing]

Q: Is this meditation of yours like zazen?

A: Not at all. Zazen is like waiting for a bus. My meditation is like flying. I should say, however, that all forms of meditation are directed towards overcoming our fixation with the body and all its problems. Why would anyone meditate thinking, I want to experience great pain whilst meditating? No, instead we sit and try to come to some kind of inner peace. To bring this about we try out different meditations like following our breaths or counting or just sitting. Most of these forms, however, don't work. And many kid themselves into believing that their meditation is making progress. With Dark Zen's meditation - progress is known without a doubt.

Q: How is that?

A: Because Mind is the leader of all things.

Q: You're saying, it seems, that because Mind is before all else and all else comes after; that by remembering our beforeness during breathing, we are, in a way, tracing our steps back to the original Buddha Mind. Is that right?

A: Say, do you want to take over? [laughing] Hey, that was good. But you figured it out because it is so natural. That is what I love about Buddhism - it's like the religion of the universe. It is simple and elegant. But I am afraid we humans are getting too complicated these days. And maybe that is why Buddhism seems difficult. But I am digressing, I am afraid.

Q: So what is it like when you meditate - I think I have asked this before?

A: Well, I'm at that stage where the more of me is identified with what is not my mortal body. I guess you could say I sense my mind affecting my body's nerves so as to energize and lead my body and thus not follow it anymore as to be its slave. As a result, my body tries to comport itself with mind and shape up! Automatically, I began to eat less, sleep less, and care less about dying. One also senses another body growing which is like clear light, but with bliss. It is kind of neat—your own secret delight.

Q: Well that sounds interesting. I sure hope you do something with this meditation and share it with the rest of us.

A: I hope so too. It would be fun to have everyone all jacked up on joy!

Text by Zenmar, the Dark Zen mystic

The Manual of Dark Zen – FREE BOOK GET YOUR COPY