(Jen is an online pen pal I met at Brian Hine's fine site, Church of the Churchless.
https://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/
Jen commented here a few days ago elegantly about Existentialism and Buddhism, and so I asked her if I could repost those citations and if she wouldn't mind adding some thoughts.
Jen's straightforward and sensible approach to her own mindfulness practice, and the philosophy behind it is very attractive. Anyone can adopt this personal philosophy, even if they choose to hold other religious or anti-religious views as well. I hope this is the first of many posts our local Zenmaster Jen will create for all of us here at Atheist and Believer.)
I often wonder if I am an atheist, or simply have existential views. I try to practice mindfulness, living with awareness and in the moment, the Zen buddhist way...
“The aim of mindfulness is to know suffering fully. It entails paying calm, unflinching attention to whatever impacts the organism, be it the song of a lark or the scream of a child, the bubbling of a playful idea or a twinge in the lower back. You attend not just to the outward stimuli themselves, but equally to%+20your inward reactions to them. You do not condemn what you see as your failings or applaud what you regard as success. You notice things come, you notice them go. Over time, the practice becomes less a self-conscious exercise in meditation done at fixed periods each day and more a sensibility that infuses one’s awareness at all times.”
― Stephen Batchelor, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
“The origin of the conflict, frustration, and anxiety we experience does not lie in the nature of the world itself but in our distorted conceptions of the world.”
― Stephen Batchelor, Alone with Others: An Existential Approach to Buddhism
“Evasion of the unadorned immediacy of life is a+s deep-seated as it is relentless. Even with the ardent desire to be aware and alert in the present moment, the mind flings us into tawdry and tiresome elaborations of past and future. This craving to be otherwise, to be elsewhere, permeates the body, feeling, perceptions, will - consciousness itself. It is like the background radiation from the big bang of birth, the aftershock of having erupted into existence.”
― Stephen Batchelor, Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
“To embrace suffering culminates in greater empathy, the capacity to feel what it is like for the other to suffer, which is the ground for unsentimental compassion and love.”
― Stephen Batchelor,%+20Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Living in the moment is about letting go of the past and catching oneself and bringing back one's thoughts to peace and love and presence, a constant struggle with the mind but a very worthy practice imo.
As you've probably noticed I do like to look up quotes to find something that resonates with me, its like talking to myself, a little lesson which lifts my spirit for the day...
"When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves."
Dogen
I became interested in Existentialism when I came across this video about existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre - his book "Being and Nothingness"- a philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.
Sartre in Ten Minutes (9:59)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Existentialism meets Buddhism
A good portion of my writing focuses on Eastern practices such as mindfulness, and how they can improve one’s life. Another topic I focus on is existential philosophy and how beliefs derived from that school can also make life more fulfilling. In this post, I’d like to discuss similarities between the two.
I was struck recently by how the two philosophies, born of different worlds, came to many of the same conclusions. Existential philosophy is a Western idea, originating in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Buddhism is much older, said to have originated in the fifth century B.C.E. Despite their disparate origins and development, there are several striking similarities.
Being in the moment: Heidegger, a famous existential writer, wrote a book translated as “mindfulness”. He talks about Being, living in the moment, throughout his writing. Buddhism, as well as other Eastern philosophies (Taoism, for instance) also focus on the importance of immersion in the moment. As I’ve written a dozen times, empirical studies indicate the benefits of mindfulness for everything from physical ailments to mental health disorders. Mindfulness is essential to both philosophies, as it leads to the power to change, which is discussed next.
Individuals can change: To put it existentially, existence precedes essence. Essence is the idea of a finished product, where existence suggests becoming, being, and the ability to take control over one’s life. In Buddhism and other Eastern thought, the idea is that nothing exists except in the moment. Though some sects of Buddhism believe one possess a “Buddha Nature”, it is almost impossible to realize it for extended periods. In both philosophies, the idea is to “become”.
The inevitability of death: Though this is a more integral part of existential thought, (the fear of death and the need to face it permeates existentialism), Buddhism also focuses on meditating on one’s death. Being aware of death is central to Tibetan Buddhism, which spurred the famous, “Tibetan Book of the Dead”, and the more recent, “Tibetan Book of Living and Dying”. Yoga has a pose called, “Savasana”, which is translated as “corpse pose”. Though yoga is not Buddhist, it further demonstrates the fact that Eastern thought (in this case Hindu) has come to similar conclusions as western existentialism.
Suffering is part of life: What’s more, they both focus on how the view of suffering can be transformative. In Buddhism, suffering is addressed in the Four Noble Truths. Suffering is part of existence, and can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path. Some of this philosophy focuses on acceptance of what cannot be changed (see Acceptance: It Isn’t What You Think).
In existential thought, suffering can provide life meaning. Camus’ most famous essay focuses on “The Myth of Sysyphus”, and how even knowing his work is pointless and considered torture by the gods, he embraces his life. Camus ends his essay with the idea that, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart” (Camus, p.123).
Viktor Frankl, another existential writer, focuses on the meaning of suffering. When confronted with a patient who suffers because of the death of his wife, Frankl challenges the client’s meaning, pointing out that by bearing this suffering, he spares his wife the suffering of his death. In both of these existential writers’ views, the view of suffering alters its experience.
There are similarities between many philosophies and religions. Many focus on making your life happier and becoming a better person. The same is true for these two philosophies. In fact, I once read a book about how different philosophies can help one with mental health (Plato, Not Prozac). I am of the belief that for many mental health issues, a change of philosophy is the cure.
Copyright William Berry, 2017
"I think we have to trust ourselves in the darkness of not knowing. The God out of which we came and into which we go is an unknown God. It's the luminosity of that darkness and that unknowing that is, I think, the most human - and the most sacred - place of all."
Sam Keen
Jen
Very nice!
Thank you..
I go to a Zen Master after a week.
I look forward to to go.
I did after and also in my Santmat time Vipassana.
Also retreats..it brings one totaly in the Here and Now in all aspects.
I mean..the hearing smelling..whatever..
But also to the Inner world inner insights in one's feelings emotions etc..
So it is very beneficial.
One has not to believe things from outside.
But to Be in the Inner is a great help and inspiration for Life.
Posted by: s* | 01/03/2019 at 08:27 AM
To see the coming and going..is helpfull
One can see the importance and unimportances of things..
So there comes more of relativeness..
Posted by: s* | 01/03/2019 at 08:32 AM
Hi s*,
You say "To see the coming and going..is helpfull".
Yes, life is a mystery and its like we are playing a part in some kind of movie and we get distracted and get caught up in the play and then we come back again into, oh here I am again, the watcher... :)
Posted by: Jen | 01/03/2019 at 05:04 PM
egoistically believes itself to be so important that it demands to survive such a natural and intelligent process as death.
Posted by: Turan | January 11, 2019 at 02:35 AM
Mandala stuff
Here is the very short to live comment on :
"" Creatures, us, planets, stars, galaxies – perhaps even the universe have cycles of birth, life and death – why do we think we are so different? ""
Because you are the Maker
777
Posted by: 777 | January 11, 2019 at 02:55 AM
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment
Posted by: 777 | 01/11/2019 at 06:00 AM
"If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few."
Shunryu Suzuki
...........
"Moment after moment, everyone comes out from nothingness. This is the true joy of life."
Zen Mind Beginner's Mind : Shunryu Suzuki
Posted by: Jen | 01/11/2019 at 04:58 PM
-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADpu4fv0XEiGjZpTPwFVmQ
I wonder and doubt
that those visitors were 100%
honest
but perhaps they revealed hat they are "after". our 3rd EYE & Crown DNA system
for advancing
777
some can not think out of the box
let alone stop thoughts and do the real thing
Posted by: 777 | 01/12/2019 at 06:04 AM
@Osho wrote
""later with Swami Divyanand (kirpal successor) who used to sit me
in meditation from morning to evening. I wanted to get to sach khand above all else.
It wasn't will a lot later that I awoke to the truth that there cannot be regions and it is all a mind-play
Posted by: Osho Robbins | January 10, 2019 at 12:27 AM""
WRONG
and great underestimation of the powers of the mind
Your cup of tea is a construct of your mind
Your body too
Your friends too
So is Sach Khand
but u have big amnesia and atrophy
but less then the owner of this blog
in him it's total
thoroughly fixed during decennia
777
Posted by: 777 | 01/12/2019 at 06:15 AM
@ 777 - hello and hope you are well.
I am afraid Osho was talking nonsense in lecturing me about reality. But I let it go as he appears to be on the fence.
All the best
Posted by: Arjuna | 01/12/2019 at 04:28 PM
Hello beautiful people. I've just been reading through a Zen article and took these brief notes as a reminder. Hope you don't mind if I share...
Zen Mindfulness teachings
Inflexible obsessions with particular world views lead to suffering, the goal is to reduce suffering, so set rigid mentalities aside.
Practice non attachment from views, be open to other insights and experiences.
The views you hold right now, loosen your grip on them.
Be aware of suffering when imposing our views on others.
Looking deeply into the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion and find ways out of suffering.
Real happiness = peacefulness
Take care of the energy of anger when it arises and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness using mindfulness.
Be present in the moment.
Listen deeply without judgment or reaction.
Words create suffering or happiness.
Kindness.
https://www.refinethemind.com/14-mindfulness-teachings-zen-buddhism/
Posted by: Jen | 01/12/2019 at 05:33 PM
Hi Jen,
It's very good not to hold so tight to our idea's etc.
The other side is that we can utter some words about how we see things..
We can learn from both sides..
It's in my feeling good to react but with in a healthy way..healthy in respect.
For a longer time I did not react and that did not feel healthy.
Spiritual bypass can be the case.
By communicating we see where we stand in feelings emotions etc..
Posted by: s* | 01/13/2019 at 01:39 AM
I m just a starter , so I cannot at all understand :
" way..healthy in respect."
My father in law always told me I had to respect his meat eating
Mast I respect the Kapos in Auschwitz ?
or trump destroying his own children denying CO2 from humans
The people using 'respect' over & over again are the Mafiosi
777
Posted by: 777 | 01/14/2019 at 12:28 PM
I understand that.
But what happens,happens... it makes me spiritually happy..
A feeling a belonging to somehing greater then me..
I am a part of the whole..that is what I happen to feel..
So the discovery about all this,is not just ''something''
Posted by: s* | January 17, 2019 at 06:42 AM
Dungeness even talking about Hitler now and he is moved to see acts of strength. What strength. Where. How. What kind of opposition is being found as acts of strength in this ad?
Could someone please enlighten me?
Posted by: Jen | 01/18/2019 at 12:56 AM
777
I hadn't see the video yey
but said to my wife :
"Don't you think these 26 dem representatives will attack him for
his openly groping remark to young Bush
which has
culminating in Christians jubilating
youtube 666, 5th avenue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=koPmuEyP3a0
7
Posted by: 777 | 01/18/2019 at 03:16 AM
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment
Posted by: 777 | January 18, 2019 at 12:20 AM
"""""Dewey's main point, which I totally agree with, is that by themselves, mystical experiences prove nothing about God or the supernatural."""""
With exeption of Objective real happenings , Serendipities"
777
Posted by: 777 | January 18, 2019 at 12:55 AM
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment
Posted by: 777 | 01/18/2019 at 03:58 AM
Let' exaggerate a little bit. !
Imagine somebody come to you
and builds a floating palace for you, not dream but for real
full with people you love
and they are all so happy
that you give all hungry on the planet one year free McDonald or better. :-)
Plus, that person tell you never will die but each year be a yeat younger
following your desire 4 perfect age
Would that be enough to make the brianses believing
Yes or No. pls
Do you think this is "objective". ?? Yes. /. No
777
-
Posted by: 777 | 01/18/2019 at 12:40 PM
Hi Spence,
You say "There is room for all perspectives here.
The Zen of Jen and the politics of Jen are worthy."
I do love mysticism and resonate with many spiritual quotes, so thank you for giving me a space to share what moves my soul...
"This aloneness is worth more than a thousand lives.
This freedom is worth more than all the lands on earth.
To be one with the truth for just a moment,
Is worth more than the world and life itself."
...
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky,
to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment.
First, to let go of live.
In the end, to take a step without feet;
to regard this world as invisible,
and to disregard what appears to be the self.
Heart, I said, what a gift it has been
to enter this circle of lovers,
to see beyond seeing itself,
to reach and feel within the breast."
Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
Posted by: Jen | 01/19/2019 at 03:18 PM
"Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe."
These words keep coming into my mind "Thus spake Zarathustra"...
Nietzsche and Thus Spoke Zarathustra: The Last Man and The Superman
"One must have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing star"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnhMJl11JUo
Posted by: Jen | 01/19/2019 at 06:06 PM
Hi Jen
As befitting a true Zen Master, you have chosen words that are universal, and have no dogma. They are a point of view, a statement that applies universally and cannot be bound in a culture, a caste, race, sex or political positron, or a movement, and yet which everyone of us can adopt easily within our boundaries, and perhaps for a moment, rise above them.
Posted by: Spence Tepper | 01/20/2019 at 10:00 AM
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky,
to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment.
Ah, let us love Rumi together, Jen.
Swim in those words, watch veils
drift away like feathers on a gentle
breeze, feel the coolness as we're
swept up toward that wondrous sky.
Posted by: Dungeness | 01/20/2019 at 03:09 PM
Alone with the Alone (5:55) - beautiful photos and music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEroIpr2Yes
Sufi mysticism endeavoured to produce a personal experience of the divine through mystic and ascetic discipline.
Posted by: Jen | 01/20/2019 at 06:45 PM
". Swim in those words, watch veils. ""
"". swept up toward that wondrous sky.""
Rumi is alive, . . custodian of the words
So actual, . . today
777
Posted by: 777 | 01/21/2019 at 06:57 AM
This morning first thing I read in my Inbox from AEON magazine: The public solitude of Thomas Merton...
A nice way to start the day :)
“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”
― Thomas Merton
“Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself, and if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself.”
― Thomas Merton
“Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war. It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience.”
― Thomas Merton
Posted by: Jen | 01/21/2019 at 03:16 PM
Remember when U had a crush / a lot of Love , whatever it was, . .
Feel it again, next accumulate it
777
Posted by: 777 | 01/21/2019 at 04:07 PM
Hi Jen
Those words of Thomas Merton move my heart.
Thank you.
Posted by: Spence Tepper | 01/21/2019 at 05:17 PM
Alone with the Alone (5:55) - beautiful photos and music
Both are spectacular.. the words get eclipsed.
Posted by: Dungeness | 01/21/2019 at 08:27 PM
Joseph Campbell: Follow Your Bliss (4:48)
Discussion about finding your joy.
Three terms that might bring you to the brink, the jumping off place to the ocean: Sanskrit: Sat, Chit, Ananda.
Sat means Being; Chit means Full Consciousness; Ananda means Rapture.
A technique we have to work out for ourselves. Recognise your own depths. Helped by invisible hands?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbU4O-ZtvW0
Posted by: Jen | 01/23/2019 at 12:47 AM
In RSSB the method is Love 4 the Saint
Love is not very complicated or difficult
4 realizing the ultimate we first grew One with HIM
Next , as it were, as it is, together you "visit" the TOP
Also this 5 word package becomes one with us , always was !
All this is fast ( no deities involved ) its delicious
No theories involved, no alphabeth even
777
Posted by: 777 | 01/23/2019 at 07:45 AM