Christian mystic Saint Catherine of Siena once said after three years of silent meditation when she was asked what she learned she said: “All the way to Heaven is Heaven”. This is a great example of seeing what we call Zen and not elevating divinity above the common miracles of everyday life. It is what intuitive thinking does to change the nature of Western thought. It’s what better understanding the cosmos from a scientific standpoint does so well. It is our “inward or intuitive thinking”. It is our own intuition that best describes how restrictions to linear thought can be empty of the reality we seek for ourselves and others. Something Albert Einstein repeatedly warned us about.
It is the courage to be right here right now and nowhere else and how the Mind can absorb similar thoughts and ideas that seems to matter. Thinking in terms of what we call mindfulness, going to something called “Zen mind”. Seeing things as linear patterns – from side to side – instead of simply up or down as though all things have only a yes or no answer. In Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, you can identify with and see your actions externally as the best of all three and accepting them in your thoughts and daily activities. In Zen mind there is no separation from body and mind they are one together. I like to think of it as spirit connecting with both body and mind as one. This is what I mean by seeing things in a linear fashion or way. This was the essential idea of the I Ching that connected all things in the cosmos as one with nature. The inherent makeup of man must co-exist and be as one with all that he found that was to benefit both him and everything else as well. You can see this tread or current running throughout Eastern philosophy. Why many say it is not religion, but how we choose to live.
To see things in a non-linear way is saying there is in reality no middle ground. It becomes an either-or proposition. My way – or the highway idea. You either follow my lead as I see God, or you are going to a hell in whatever way I have defined how a person should see God. Its either up or down with no in-between. In China today, they do allow Christian churches and for people to be baptized often called the “family church”. You are free to be a member. However, there is only one Christian denomination, not like in America. It is a one size fits all thing.
Voices of the Dragon Part 2 Number 8
Remaining Forever Fragile
Know that everything under heaven and earth becomes vulnerable as old structures were built to be broken. Only to be rebuilt for each generation to begin anew the journey that is to be made.
Change must occur. In fact, to encourage change forces reality waiting to stay in your ultimate favor.
Keep to what you have learned in the balance of the I Ching and keep the forces of the elements close at hand and the dragons cannot be too far away. Be responsible to and for yourself and encourage accountability to all for all to see and know.
The forces of the elements are to be followed with the cycles of nature always in full view. With the road not traveled upon as the next stop along the journey towards the Tao and immortality. As the wind blows and the rain falls in March and April with assurances that the natural order of things will be renewed once more on your doorstep simply waiting to be taken in again.
Strength and sincerity are virtues that attract all who value continuity and comfort those bearing the ultimate responsibility of carrying out the natural order of things. Peace and serenity will naturally follow with others looking for their own true direction. Be always the one who can read the map to knowledge, longevity and virtue. Plant your feet firmly on the footholds of change and simply follow the proper way. 4/13/94
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