koan, Japanese
Kōan, in Zen Buddhism of Japan, a succinct paradoxical statement or question used as a meditation discipline for novices, particularly in the Rinzai sect. The effort to “solve” a koan is intended to exhaust the analytic intellect and the egoistic will, readying the mind to entertain an appropriate response on the intuitive level. Each such exercise constitutes both a communication of some aspect of Zen experience and a test of the novice’s competence.
A characteristic example of the style is the well-known koan “When both hands are clapped a sound is produced; listen to the sound of one hand clapping.” Sometimes the koan is set in question-and-answer form, as in the question “What is Buddha?” and its answer, “Three pounds of flax.”
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Dan Hettmannsperger III
koan means "case"....it works like this: I give you the koan. I will ask you what it means. If your answer shows insight we will discuss it. If not I will give you 6-12 hours to think about it and we'll proceed again. Understand?
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Chrissy Newbury
to me... I think this means that in order to connect to my 'new way of being', then I must relinquish all my baggage, all my old ways of thinking and living ... I cannot embrace something if my arms are already full of something else.
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Dan Hettmannsperger III
I'm reminded of something an officer said to me in the Navy:
"If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything."
But yes: To connect to truth you must sever yourself from delusion.
To connect to compassion you must sever selfishness.
You understand. I am proud of you.
Chrissy Newbury
I now have to try and apply it to my daily life. But I will try, and hopefully, I will succeed.
I am inspired by your teaching.
Dan Hettmannsperger III
I am gratified.
My Heart Burns Like Fire
Soyen Shaku, the first Zen teacher to come to America, said: "My heart burns like fire but my eyes are as cold as dead ashes." He made the following rules which he practiced every day of his life.
In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate.
Retire at a regular hour. Partake of food at regular intervals. Eat with moderation and never to the point of satisfaction.
Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when alone. When alone, maintain the same attitude you have in receiving guests.
Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice it.
When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet always think twice before acting.
Do not regret the past. Look to the future.
Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.
Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.
