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BLOB_CASTLE  ·  3817 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Zen Masters?

How often did you smoke though? I smoke every now and again. But when I smoke I make sure that it's in the proper environment with people who will stimulate good conversations. It during a recent smoke session that I experienced oneness the strongest. Sure, I have been able to get a feel like that through meditation, but I wouldn't discount the smoke time as being dukka. I think it moderation does matter. While there have been times when I don't have a breakthrough like that, there are also times in meditation when I don't have any sort of breakthrough. What makes one worse than the other?

What if the dissatisfaction can't be removed immediately? Is the 4th Noble Truth about realize that they aren't really dissatisfaction? The example I'm thinking of is my heavy coursework this term. I am unbelievably busy this term, so much so that it's affecting my relationship. Even if I were to change my perspective to view it positively, that wouldn't make my homework go away or give me more time with my girlfriend. Should I not be so attached to a relationship? (I didn't mean for this to become relationship advice with AlderaanDuran, but see what I'm getting at?

Did't you just say

    Because doing something immediately is a lot more enjoyable than the small pain and suffering of feeling disappointed in yourself for pushing it off til "tomorrow".
Go see that master now!

I like it a lot too. It was by Hakuin, the founder of the Rinzai school. It's meant to represent our journey toward enlightenment. On the far right is the shore of old thinking. On the log are three blind men trying to make their way toward enlightenment (left). But if you'll notice, the log doesn't actually touch enlightenment? Can the blind men jump across the gap or are they never destined to reach enlightenment? Hakuin did do versions of the painting where the log reached enlightenment so I'm not entirely sure if he believed enlightenment is attainable or not.