12 Essential rules to live more like a zen monk

Khannie

Well....this very short article has made a _huge_ difference to me in the space of less than a week. Thought I'd share it with you lot.

12 Essential rules to live more like a zen monk

Asiaprod

Khannie wrote: »

Well....this very short article has made a _huge_ difference to me in the space of less than a week. Thought I'd share it with you lot.

Thanks, there is some nice advice there:)

Khannie

Most welcome.

The things I've tried hardest with since reading the article are single-tasking, devoting myself to a task and helping others. Honestly, I feel a lot more content than I have in ages.

hairymolly

Khannie that is exactly what I needed. anyother links along the same lines?

Khannie

hairymolly wrote: »

Khannie that is exactly what I needed. anyother links along the same lines?

Glad to help.

No other links yet. I'll post up any good stuff I find in my travels.

This looks like a good book though. Think I'm going to buy it next week.

yomchi

I've read a couple of Pema Chodrons books, well writtin and full of good humour. I like listening to her talks also.
Khannie, chapters on Parnell street has a good selection of her books as well as other writers.

All the best

Asiaprod

Khannie wrote: »

Most welcome.

The things I've tried hardest with since reading the article are single-tasking.

Thats the good one for me, it is sound advice. I always get side-tracked into multitasking and inevitably nothing gets done 100%

MeditationMom

Nice link and valuable points.

Having lived my life mostly as a Mom I have had the good fortune of being around children constantly, who do have this single-task, here-now, no-hurry attitude, yet are "busy" non-stop all day. Their egos are absent when they are very young, and then so small for quite some time, that I managed to pick this up from them early on. Doing, without doing anything, all day long. By the end of the day everything is done and you truly feel you have rested all day.

Krishnamurti said that once you try to be somebody, you lose your freedom.

It is this attitude of no concern for any reputation that is at the core of the ability to be present. When I watched deeply inside what made me hurry, multi-task, try to accomplish long lists that never end, etc - I always discovered some sort of large or small fear or greed at the root of things. Going even deeper - if all our fears and desires were to be considered leaves on a tree - the source of all fears and desires, is the idea of "I" that gives us this idea of being separate from the tasks, as in "I do the task" - or "I didn't get the task done". When there is no separation between me and the task, there is nobody there suffering, yet the task gets done - by me or someone else for that matter, or not at all, because it didn't need to get done in the first place. The way rain falls on flowers, and the flowers grow.

The whole universe happens by itself - yet we think we are doing things in our lives, or not getting things done. It's very amusing.

Khannie

I find myself referring back to this a lot. I'm reading a book about buddhism at the moment, but these 12 essential rules are really helpful to me. Just wondering if anyone else has found them helpful since reading them?

yomchi

Khannie wrote: »

I find myself referring back to this a lot. I'm reading a book about buddhism at the moment, but these 12 essential rules are really helpful to me. Just wondering if anyone else has found them helpful since reading them?

Hi Khannie,
I've always found Zen points a handy reference for peaceful living. How did you come across Buddhism? Was it through the Muay Thai?

lukester

Nice list, I like it. I remember hearing a variation on the 'Do one thing at a time' idea. The Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn Sunim used to tell his students 'when you eat, just eat- only focus on what you are doing.'

A student saw him the next day eating dinner and reading the newspaper at the same time, and asked him why he had told them to only eat when they are eating, but he was both eating and reading.

He replied, 'when you eat and read, only eat and read'.

MeditationMom

LOL - I was eating a nice juicy apple while sitting down reading Boards posts - reveling in my contentment - when I read this.

KatCookie

This is coming from in Irish girl.. who couldnt be less like a Buddhist Or a Zen Monk. - (did religion in school and have a book on buddhism so thats where my limited knowledge comes from)
i'd just like to say that you all seem like very happy people, i might stick around this section if thats ok with you and see what makes you all so happy!!

yomchi

KatCookie wrote: »

This is coming from in Irish girl.. who couldnt be less like a Buddhist Or a Zen Monk. - (did religion in school and have a book on buddhism so thats where my limited knowledge comes from)
i'd just like to say that you all seem like very happy people, i might stick around this section if thats ok with you and see what makes you all so happy!!

Joy at last... to know there is no happiness in this world

DenMan

Hey there. I would like to stay around this section for a while if that's ok. I used to practice Tai Chi and as a result read a lot of the Buddhist teaching on my own time. A very relaxed and open minded way of life. Something we all should look at. Peace

KatCookie

+1

Asiaprod

KatCookie wrote: »

i'd just like to say that you all seem like very happy people, i might stick around this section if thats ok with you and see what makes you all so happy!!

DenMan wrote: »

Hey there. I would like to stay around this section for a while if that's ok. I used to practice Tai Chi and as a result read a lot of the Buddhist teaching on my own time. A very relaxed and open minded way of life. Something we all should look at. Peace

You are both very welcome, please feel free to input or post question here, thats how we all learn:)

KatCookie

Asiaprod wrote: »

You are both very welcome, please feel free to input or post question here, thats how we all learn:)

A question eh?.. ok.. what part of being a buddhist makes you Still be awake at 01:37?
cos i think i'd prefer my sleep!:D

iUseVi

Mmmm, sleep. :D

yomchi

KatCookie wrote: »

A question eh?.. ok.. what part of being a buddhist makes you Still be awake at 01:37?
cos i think i'd prefer my sleep!:D

Thats probably his location!

Asiaprod

KatCookie wrote: »

A question eh?.. ok.. what part of being a buddhist makes you Still be awake at 01:37?
cos i think i'd prefer my sleep!:D

Ha, thats an easy one:) A=Life is so short, why waste time sleeping when we could be learning interesting stuff;)

Jon wrote: »

Thats probably his location!

You are wise beyond your years:). (Married with family, when else can I get any peace )

lukester

Asiaprod, I have to take issue with you on a very fundamental point-

belly button fluff is not always blue

KatCookie

lukester wrote: »

Asiaprod, I have to take issue with you on a very fundamental point-

belly button fluff is not always blue

and why does there have to be belly button fluff? It is necassary for the belly button fluff to be there in the first place?

oh dear, i think we are going to be very difficult pupils for you to educate.. ..

Asiaprod

lukester wrote: »

Asiaprod, I have to take issue with you on a very fundamental point-

belly button fluff is not always blue

You are correct, it is also Red, White and Black:)

KatCookie wrote: »

and why does there have to be belly button fluff? It is necassary for the belly button fluff to be there in the first place?

It is necessary, the fluff gives the bely button a purpose for being.

oh dear, i think we are going to be very difficult pupils for you to educate.. ..

We will try:D

MeditationMom

By Jon - Joy at last... to know there is no happiness in this world

This wonderful statement went by without notice ( or at least comment) - so I thought I'd comment. I never heard this before and find it absolutely wonderful. Thank you! Where is it from - or is it yours? If it is - congratulations!!!

KatCookie

Well i seen that statement.. but i didnt get it.. i was being sincere when i said

KatCookie wrote: »

i'd just like to say that you all seem like very happy people, i might stick around this section if thats ok with you and see what makes you all so happy!!

and it just sounded like Jon was being sarcastic when he said

Jon wrote: »

Joy at last... to know there is no happiness in this world

These are really good. I found the "Do one thing at a time" one and leave space between tasks as well as dedicating time to sitting to be particularly helpful.

Khannie

I'm a bit late checking back in here but...

KatCookie wrote: »

and it just sounded like Jon was being sarcastic when he said

I'd say it's a bit of an in-joke. I'm guessing though..... I'm learning about Buddhism at the moment and one of the "truths" of buddhism is suffering. I think he was saying "when you realise this, you'll find joy" but it's a bit of a contradiction / catch 22 kinda thing.

amirite?

ntlbell

Khannie wrote: »

I'd say it's a bit of an in-joke. I'm guessing though..... I'm learning about Buddhism at the moment and one of the "truths" of buddhism is suffering. I think he was saying "when you realise this, you'll find joy" but it's a bit of a contradiction / catch 22 kinda thing.

amirite?

I would of thought that had a lot to do with acceptance.

When you accept that not only one of the truth's of buddhisim is suffering but life itself that the suffering is "part" of life it's not your life.

So instead of wallowing in your own self pitty and with the "why me" brigade you accept the suffering and can move on then with enjoying your life.

I'm no monk tho..

yomchi

MeditationMom wrote: »

This wonderful statement went by without notice ( or at least comment) - so I thought I'd comment. I never heard this before and find it absolutely wonderful. Thank you! Where is it from - or is it yours? If it is - congratulations!!!

Hi MM, no no it's not mine it's from Ajahn Brahm in this video clip.

It is very true, sorry if anyone thought I was being sarcastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex5a4a40k6s at 12 mins 25

Ajahn Brahm has some really fantastic talks on youtube.

Enjoy

yomchi

I'm only realsing there was further comment on that quote, so sorry I didn't notice.

In the talk Ajahn Brahm gives, it's basically saying that the happiness we know of as human beings is not true happiness as the happiness we know is part of the circle of suffering, false happiness causes attachment, attachment causes suffering and so the cycle continues. The teaching is about going beyond the happiness we know of

So instead of wallowing in your own self pitty and with the "why me" brigade you accept the suffering and can move on then with enjoying your life.

Not so much that we accept it, as Buddhists we try to trancend it (suffering).
Remember when we learn about suffering, we should also understand impermenance too, it makes life so much more... ummm... tolerable!

Asiaprod

Khannie wrote: »

I'm a bit late checking back in here but...



I'd say it's a bit of an in-joke. I'm guessing though..... I'm learning about Buddhism at the moment and one of the "truths" of buddhism is suffering. I think he was saying "when you realise this, you'll find joy" but it's a bit of a contradiction / catch 22 kinda thing.

amirite?

Yes, Jon answered very well. We must accept it for what it is and transcend it. We try to see it as an oportunity for growth

ntlbell wrote: »

I would of thought that had a lot to do with acceptance..[and]...So instead of wallowing in your own self pitty and with the "why me" brigade you accept the suffering and can move on then with enjoying your life.

I'm no monk tho..

At this rate, you could soon become one:) Buddhism recognizes that there are four sufferings that we cannot escape from Birth, Sickness, Old Age and Death. This is the circle of life.

KatCookie

Interesting... i must get out my book again for another read, (its not the greatest book for leaning from though i must admit). nice pictures though..

Khannie

Jon wrote: »

the happiness we know of as human beings is not true happiness

I have to disagree with that. In my life, I have experienced true happiness more than once. Most recently sitting at the breakfast table, quiet morning, my daughter on my knee, drinking a nice mug of coffee, both of us eating a tasty breakfast, me feeding her, not another thought in the world except "this is lovely".

Surely it's possible to have moments of true happiness like that?

Asiaprod

Khannie wrote: »

Surely it's possible to have moments of true happiness like that?

Yes,but I will let Jon explain first:)

yomchi

Khannie wrote: »

I have to disagree with that. In my life, I have experienced true happiness more than once. Most recently sitting at the breakfast table, quiet morning, my daughter on my knee, drinking a nice mug of coffee, both of us eating a tasty breakfast, me feeding her, not another thought in the world except "this is lovely".

Surely it's possible to have moments of true happiness like that?

Hi Khannie,
Now thats a tough one to go up against, moments of sheer bliss! And perhaprs a very zen moment indeed
I think the best way to understand my point on that would be to look at one of the Buddha's 3 universal truths;

Everything Changes

The second universal truth of the Buddha is that everything is continuously changing. Life is like a river flowing on and on, ever-changing. Sometimes it flows slowly and sometimes swiftly. It is smooth and gentle in some places, but later on snags and rocks crop up out of nowhere. As soon as we think we are safe, something unexpected happens.

That kind of happiness you experienced is something we all cherish, so much so that when it leaves us for a while and we encounter 'snags and rocks' which brings on aversion, a want of detachment if you like from life's problems. Which inevitably fosters a sense of attachment to the things that make us 'feel' happy , and with all things being impermenent, devoid of any true meaning and being dependant on certain conditions, what we attach to for happiness inevitably leaves us. Which perpetuates the cycle of samsara.
I suppose I could say, while those moments with your daughter are bliss, wait till her beautiful face is bringing smelly teenage boys to the door :)

I hope I made some sort of sense!

yomchi

Asiaprod wrote: »

Yes,but I will let Jon explain first:)

You are a hard teacher..

Khannie

Jon wrote: »

I hope I made some sort of sense!

It did yeah. What I would say though is this: You can't really experience happiness without understanding what pain / unhappiness is. It's a bit like: You can't truly appreciate being healthy until you've been sick.

(I think) I wouldn't want to live life in a constant state of happiness like that as I think it would take away from the moments that you do experience it.

Anyway....I'm glad it's ok to be happy.

ntlbell

Jon wrote: »

H
I suppose I could say, while those moments with your daughter are bliss, wait till her beautiful face is bringing smelly teenage boys to the door :)

I hope I made some sort of sense!

But was he happy during that moment? or did he just attach himself to what his "mind" reality thinks should make him happy?

So when the smelly teenage boy arrives he's hit a snag, now what would make him happy would be a non smelly well dressed boy for his daughter so he then attaches that and IF that happened then he would be happy as he was attached to his wants for his daughter?

It's all so confusing :mad:

yomchi

Khannie wrote: »

It did yeah. What I would say though is this: You can't really experience happiness without understanding what pain / unhappiness is. It's a bit like: You can't truly appreciate being healthy until you've been sick.

(I think) I wouldn't want to live life in a constant state of happiness like that as I think it would take away from the moments that you do experience it.

Anyway....I'm glad it's ok to be happy.

Pretty much, although it's heading into duality discussion there!
But yeh, thats why (according to the history) an Indian prince left his royal life in search of answers, in the end becoming the historical Buddha!

You can't truly appreciate being healthy until you've been sick

Or you can't appreciate being sick, until you've felt healthy

I wouldn't want to live life in a constant state of happiness like that as I think it would take away from the moments that you do experience it

Thats an interesting take. turning down a life time, for a moment... now thats Zen!;)

yomchi

ntlbell wrote: »

But was he happy during that moment? or did he just attach himself to what his "mind" reality thinks should make him happy?

So when the smelly teenage boy arrives he's hit a snag, now what would make him happy would be a non smelly well dressed boy for his daughter so he then attaches that and IF that happened then he would be happy as he was attached to his wants for his daughter?

It's all so confusing :mad:

I'm having fun answering these, but please don't take my meanderings as any solid fact, or even anything based on experience, there are much more learned folk here than me, who are no doubt observing mindfully

So when the smelly teenage boy arrives he's hit a snag, now what would make him happy would be a non smelly well dressed boy for his daughter so he then attaches that and IF that happened then he would be happy as he was attached to his wants for his daughter?

now that he's happy a non smelly teenage boy arrives at his door, he's worried in case the non smelly teenage boy decides to leave her. For every up there's a down, a constant flux of emotions. The attachment to happiness as we know it, creates more suffering and frustration.

Maybe a better example, without bringing Khannie's father hood through the thread would be the buying of a new car;
I think most of us have been there, the feeling of having a brand new car, you relish in it, you bring it everywhere, show it off and all your friends share in your happiness of the new car. You polish it, and treat it like a baby.
For a while you're over the moon.
Then the repayments start, you find yourself having to work longer hours to make the repayments, taking away from family time. Then petrol goes up, hitting finances more. Then some silly ass scratches it, your over protectiveness drives you crazy. You miss a payment and the pressure starts. You're concerned over where you park it, incase it gets broken into and so on... suddenly that item that brought you a short term feeling of self and happiness is now causing you heart ache. The happiness is impermanent, that is the nature of things.

ntlbell

Jon wrote: »

I'
Maybe a better example, without bringing Khannie's father hood through the thread would be the buying of a new car;
I think most of us have been there, the feeling of having a brand new car, you relish in it, you bring it everywhere, show it off and all your friends share in your happiness of the new car. You polish it, and treat it like a baby.
For a while you're over the moon.
Then the repayments start, you find yourself having to work longer hours to make the repayments, taking away from family time. Then petrol goes up, hitting finances more. Then some silly ass scratches it, your over protectiveness drives you crazy. You miss a payment and the pressure starts. You're concerned over where you park it, incase it gets broken into and so on... suddenly that item that brought you a short term feeling of self and happiness is now causing you heart ache. The happiness is impermanent, that is the nature of things.

I'll drive you mad

I understand the cycle of how it brings you "suffering" (the car)

But are you actually happy when you purchase the car? is what you're feeling there happiness? regardless of the fact you might be in a world of pain down the road you're generally not thinking of those things at the time you purchase it or first sit in it. But are you really happy at that moment in time when you buy it?

Or are is it just attachment to what your "mind" reaility thinks will make you happy?

Am i making any sense?

yomchi

I understand the cycle of how it brings you "suffering" (the car)

Not the car, but the state of mind!

But are you actually happy when you purchase the car?

Conditionally happy maybe? Depending the person

Or are is it just attachment to what your "mind" reaility thinks will make you happy

The reality of mind trancends attachment, the mind of 'reality' is the problem...enter the ego!

Am i making any sense?

alot more than I am i think!!

Asiaprod

Khannie wrote:

Surely it's possible to have moments of true happiness like that?

You just had one, and will have many more like this. It is both OK, and wonderful, to be happy. Enjoy the moment. You can't truly appreciate being happy till you experience being happy.

Jon wrote:

You are a hard teacher..

I am no teacher, I have just fcuked up more times than you and learned from my suffering

ntbell wrote:

But was he happy during that moment? or did he just attach himself to what his "mind" reality thinks should make him happy?

Sounds to me like he was really happy

ntbell wrote:

So when the smelly teenage boy arrives he's hit a snag, now what would make him happy would be a non smelly well dressed boy for his daughter so he then attaches that and IF that happened then he would be happy as he was attached to his wants for his daughter?

What would make him really happy would be for him to see his daughter happy

the last word goes to

ntbell wrote:

It's all so confusing

Actually no, we make it confusing.

To all, please remember that Buddhism is all about making us happy in THIS life too. This concept of suffering now to attain happiness at some future time or some different place is a carry over from our indoctrination into the Judeo-Christian beliefs. The Buddha set out to find a way for us to be happy in this life by overcoming the suffering we experience now.

You are doing very well Jon:)

KatCookie

Khannie, i'm back, i think i needed calming down after your wan in the pets thread, (where you told me to come back to get some Zen). Some people just ....... **mutters**
She hears me, but isnt listening..

Khannie wrote: »

Anyway....I'm glad it's ok to be happy.

if it wasnt ok, i'd be running away from this religion shouting and burning books!!!
...
but hey, what do you know, i'm back..

Must relearn everything i've forgotten, i think ive forgotten how to spell Buddha.. (theres a "H" ..right?)

ntlbell

KatCookie wrote: »

if it wasnt ok, i'd be running away from this religion shouting and burning books!!!
...
but hey, what do you know, i'm back..

Must relearn everything i've forgotten, i think ive forgotten how to spell Buddha.. (theres a "H" ..right?)

Hi Kat,

What do you mean you're back? were you practising buddhism and stopped?

KatCookie

Nope, not practicing, just trying to make myeslf less ignorant of other cultures/lifestyles/religions!
i came where a while ago, but it it seemed a bit empty at the time/i lost interest in all religions . loadsa of reasons why i hadnt visited here.. but i think i'm back now!!

Asiaprod

KatCookie wrote: »

loadsa of reasons why i hadnt visited here.. but i think i'm back now!!

Welcome again

KatCookie

Thank you..

Khannie

KatCookie wrote: »

Khannie, i'm back, i think i needed calming down after your wan in the pets thread, (where you told me to come back to get some Zen). Some people just ....... **mutters**
She hears me, but isnt listening..

Hehe. I got a good laugh out of that thread. Some good quips from both of you in it. Looked fairly frustrating though.

Welcome back. I only pop in here from time to time myself. I'm interested in buddhism, but I don't think it's the solution to all, or even most of lifes problems. One thing I will say though: I spent 3 weeks in Thailand in March and by jesus they seemed a lot more content to me than the average punter over here despite having less of everything that we'd consider important.

KatCookie

Well...i've always wanted a Zen garden.. maybe one day..

that "by jesus" comment seems a bit funny there..