Another Way We Teach
Tap or Left Click On Chop Wood, Carry Water Picture.
Once In, Tap or Left Click On Page Ahead or Page Behind
Before Enlightenment: Chop Wood, Carry Water.
After Enlightenment: Chop Wood, Carry Water.
If so, Why strive for Self Realization?
If you answer––you don't know.
If you don't––you ignore a Noble Truth.
So, Without Thinking, Answer Now!
What’s Going On Here Book
Preamble–Part 1
Working at a desk for a couple of hours during a warm spring morning in March makes one a might bit stiff and distracted. Decided I needed a break. Pushing the chair from behind the desk and standing up, I walked toward the window.
The moment I looked outside two events broke open inside of me at the same time. My second chakra shattered and many preconceived notions, many inherited prejudices, and many previously unconscious motivations appeared all at once. It felt like throwing up an incredible amount of mental poisons.
The other event, introduced by creating a hole in the third chakra, revealed many aspects of Reality.
The other event, introduced by creating a hole in the third chakra, revealed many aspects of Reality.
Not the reality most of humanity knows, but Reality devoid of any self/ego: Reality of this universe and beyond. To quote the Heart Sutra, “Gone, Gone, gone beyond, beyond beyond. Proclaim Awakening!”
Forty-one years of studying Zen Buddhism and sitting Zazen for the same length of time came to fruition in a blinding flash.
What does that mean?
Forty-one years of studying Zen Buddhism and sitting Zazen for the same length of time came to fruition in a blinding flash.
What does that mean?
Really, nothing.
Nothing more like mere Emptiness, an unexplainable Experience.
But, one revelation of many stands out still today.
This universe, this Reality, contains miniscule moments of creation/destruction pulsating back and forth at an incredible pace.
Nothing more like mere Emptiness, an unexplainable Experience.
But, one revelation of many stands out still today.
This universe, this Reality, contains miniscule moments of creation/destruction pulsating back and forth at an incredible pace.
This revelation influences mankind in many ways.
Think of our make up: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Each of the segments listed above can be broken up into two distinct and opposite sections; very much akin to creation/destruction. The physical opposites include examples like weak/strong, well/ill,
Think of our make up: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Each of the segments listed above can be broken up into two distinct and opposite sections; very much akin to creation/destruction. The physical opposites include examples like weak/strong, well/ill,
thin/fat. The mental mention sane/insane, truth/lie, spiritual/profane, genius/challenged. Emotional attributes manifest as love/hate, happy/sad. Finally, the spiritual includes good/evil, god/devil, and belief/doubt. These dichotomies could go on just about indefinitely. But, a similarity exists with the creation/destruction of this universe and our tendency as humans to create opposites.
A major difference endures.
The creation/destruction factor in this universe sees life/death/rebirth as inherently inevitable; whereas, the events we perceive as opposites are self-created; they are illusions used to protect who we think we are.
Most of us protect our individuality, the self, the ego, we create.
The creation/destruction factor in this universe sees life/death/rebirth as inherently inevitable; whereas, the events we perceive as opposites are self-created; they are illusions used to protect who we think we are.
Most of us protect our individuality, the self, the ego, we create.
We demand to maintain and reinforce our truth that we are distinct and individual from the other.
How much further from the Truth can that be?
How much further from the Truth can that be?
What’s Going On Here Book
Preamble–Part 2
Maxim: “Easy to marry something: hard to hang onto it. Easier to experience something; almost impossible to lose it.”
This is a true story: beyond the beyond.
Spent the day before negotiating a contract as Second Project Director for five (5) colleges in Oman. Before I accepted the offer, I asked to speak to the Project Director to see if we found agreement about the means to carry out the contract. Past experience taught me to vet a boss before I acknowledged any position.
Phone call finally set up.
Phone call finally set up.
Called Oman at the appropriate time. Reached the Project Director. The conversation went something like this. “You and I will see and know the big picture; yet, the teachers will only know what we want to give them. We are always in control.”
Now, this rhetoric I’d heard before.
Now, this rhetoric I’d heard before.
Phoned Head Office in Toronto and basically said the leadership in Oman and I could not see eye to eye; therefore, I could/would not accept the position.
About an hour later a Manager in Toronto called: “What would it take to get you to go to Oman?”
With barely a moment’s hesitation I answered, “The Project Director’s a power tripper.
About an hour later a Manager in Toronto called: “What would it take to get you to go to Oman?”
With barely a moment’s hesitation I answered, “The Project Director’s a power tripper.
The only thing he’ll understand is if you create a position for me that makes me his equal where he has no control of me or what I do.”
“What do you suggest?”
“You know the situation in Oman better than I do. But, what exactly is the P.D.’s job description?”
“What do you suggest?”
“You know the situation in Oman better than I do. But, what exactly is the P.D.’s job description?”
After a long pause, the Manager responded, (probably trying to find the Project Director’s file or trying to formulate an answer): “He picks up new teachers from the airport, finds housing for them, and then resolves disputes between the teachers and their landlords.”
“Is he given any control over the teachers when they attend their college classrooms?”
“Is he given any control over the teachers when they attend their college classrooms?”
“No or should I say I don’t think so.”
“Good. Then make me something like the Academic Director where he doesn’t have any control. The position sounds convincing as I have an education degree with a major in English, have taught for over 20 years, and set up ESL programs before the term became common knowledge. I’ll be teaching teachers how to teach.”
“Good. Then make me something like the Academic Director where he doesn’t have any control. The position sounds convincing as I have an education degree with a major in English, have taught for over 20 years, and set up ESL programs before the term became common knowledge. I’ll be teaching teachers how to teach.”
(Little did I know the can of worms I opened as most of the teachers didn’t even hold a teaching certificate let alone an Education degree.”)
“You will let the Project Director know of the new position and our equal powers?”
The managers response? “Of course.”
He never did.
“You will let the Project Director know of the new position and our equal powers?”
The managers response? “Of course.”
He never did.
Once satisfied by the individual’s word, I asked him to send me a copy of the contract, which I read and sent back the same day.
The next morning my wife, our dog and I woke up to an acrid smell of smoke coming from the south east from across the lake we lived beside. After a compulsory cup of coffee, we went for an obligatory walk as demanded by our dog.
The next morning my wife, our dog and I woke up to an acrid smell of smoke coming from the south east from across the lake we lived beside. After a compulsory cup of coffee, we went for an obligatory walk as demanded by our dog.
The moment we stepped outside the acrid smell of the smoke increased dramatically and added to it spun small flakes of ash. As we walked up the hill towards the neighbour’s home, we looked back across the lake and noticed a huge, dark plume of smoke rising high from the southeast.
Found the neighbourette gardening so I stopped to ask her about the fire.
Found the neighbourette gardening so I stopped to ask her about the fire.
“It’s the high school. Seems as if it’ll be a write off. Or so the radio says.”
“You mean it might burn to the ground,” I asked.
“Looks like it.”
After we walked on a bit my wife leaned toward me and whispered, “Given you signed the Oman contract yesterday, do you think this could be reverse Macro-Micro Foreshadowing?”
“You mean it might burn to the ground,” I asked.
“Looks like it.”
After we walked on a bit my wife leaned toward me and whispered, “Given you signed the Oman contract yesterday, do you think this could be reverse Macro-Micro Foreshadowing?”
I thought about it for a moment then replied, “Possibly but I doubt the Universe thinks I’m a king.”
The three of us, led by our black chihuahua being, turned right at the top of the driveway and made our way down the road for a few blocks to the four way stop. As we strolled the ash droppings became larger and larger. Per our habit and as we started to turn back toward home at the four way stop,
The three of us, led by our black chihuahua being, turned right at the top of the driveway and made our way down the road for a few blocks to the four way stop. As we strolled the ash droppings became larger and larger. Per our habit and as we started to turn back toward home at the four way stop,
a book fell from the sky kitty corner to the stop sign where we stood.
The three of us froze. My wife and the chihuahua looked at me. Knowing my place in the universe, but quite reluctantly, I trudged slowly toward the book. I felt I already knew the contents of the next few moments.
I looked down at the smoldering book.
The three of us froze. My wife and the chihuahua looked at me. Knowing my place in the universe, but quite reluctantly, I trudged slowly toward the book. I felt I already knew the contents of the next few moments.
I looked down at the smoldering book.
It was a Rand McNally atlas face down split open at a certain page.
I motioned the other two over. When they reached me, I bent down and turned it over.
Surely not!
A smouldering map of Oman stared up at us. Three of us froze for a second time.
I motioned the other two over. When they reached me, I bent down and turned it over.
Surely not!
A smouldering map of Oman stared up at us. Three of us froze for a second time.
We eased home in total silence totally oblivious to our surroundings.
Denouement
We stepped of the plane in Oman, picked up our baggage, made our way thru customs, and finally looked to see who would collect us.
There stood a man who might well have been a twin to the administrator who I dealt with in a recent past. The one who had a superiority attitude toward mere teachers. He knew the big picture, others would be fed only what he chose to reveal.
I turned to my wife and stated, “We’re hooped.”
I turned to my wife and stated, “We’re hooped.”
What’s Going On Here Book
Chapter 2 – Starting from Inside – Part A
When I visit most friend’s homes, I notice fine furniture, well designed kitchens, good to very good sound equipment, and some but very few plants.
Why do I mention the lack of plant life?
All of the furniture, the equipment, and the sundry items carry forward, exhibit, no life. They are in a constant state of decay: if scratched, a wooden table does not heal itself. Plants, on the other hand, bring the complete process of creation/destruction (life) to a home with the added benefit of adding a feeling of warmth, aesthetics, and harmony.
Maxim: Live with items that are in a constant state of destruction; live surrounded by death.
Live with items that are in a state of creation/destruction; live surrounded by life giving energy.
Plants and/or animals add to one’s life: they bring a feeling of well-being.
Live with items that are in a state of creation/destruction; live surrounded by life giving energy.
Plants and/or animals add to one’s life: they bring a feeling of well-being.
Many years ago now when still passing thru grade one, I met a retired couple, Mr. and Mrs. Merchant. They lived a short block just down the back alley from my place. Every year Mrs. Merchant planted, what seemed to me, an immense garden. Additionally, within her home, different types of plants populated every room. She spoke to each of them, understood the needs of each one, each plant had its own intelligence, and under
her care and their life affirming energy all prospered.
Now, years later, I realize how far, even today, she stands above our supposed superior scientific knowledge.
Now, years later, I realize how far, even today, she stands above our supposed superior scientific knowledge.
What’s Going On Here Book
Chapter 2 – Homestead Poems – Part B
“I’ve turned inside out
and round about
and back and then
found myself
right back where I stared again.”
Jim Croce, Song “AGE”, Taken from the Album,
The Definitive Croce
“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.”
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/644987-we-shall-not-cease-from-exploration-and-the-end-of – T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
The Definitive Croce
“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.”
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/644987-we-shall-not-cease-from-exploration-and-the-end-of – T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
The quote continues pointing toward the Direct Seeing/Experiencing of Reality: Enlightenment
“Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source of the longest river The voice of the hidden waterfall And the children in the apple-tree Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea.”
“Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source of the longest river The voice of the hidden waterfall And the children in the apple-tree Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea.”
(To Repeat) Sit Zazen and Directly See/Experience This for Yourself.
"Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source of the longest river The voice of the hidden waterfall And the children in the apple-tree Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea.”
"Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source of the longest river The voice of the hidden waterfall And the children in the apple-tree Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea.”
Homestead Poems – First Half – a. a. gales
poem one
he carved a space out of the prairies
shaped it with his will and tortured back
into something resembling the prairie grasses —
whispering sounds driven by unfriendly winds
his legacy a broken rocking chair inside a rotting shed
he once called his home
his home
he stood with the dumb
wild eyed, frightened look
of an animal facing its death
at the slaughterhouse
the open front door threw a long shadow
inside the house an emptiness, she left
for the graveyard before him
dressed in her best black dress
grey hair tucked into a black bonnet
he stood with the dumb
wild eyed, frightened look
of an animal facing its death
at the slaughterhouse
the open front door threw a long shadow
inside the house an emptiness, she left
for the graveyard before him
dressed in her best black dress
grey hair tucked into a black bonnet
he cried
and cried
and cried for him, for her
for his heart, a single slender stalk of grain
trapped beneath a stone
and cried
and cried for him, for her
for his heart, a single slender stalk of grain
trapped beneath a stone
prairie dreamtime
a touch, a brush past cheek
to wrist, a feather’s caress
an insect wings’ soft ripple
standing on a rooftop’s edge, almost falling
wonders how he arrived, looks skyward
her solemn face
a gliding eagle
a screaming moth
a touch, a brush past cheek
to wrist, a feather’s caress
an insect wings’ soft ripple
standing on a rooftop’s edge, almost falling
wonders how he arrived, looks skyward
her solemn face
a gliding eagle
a screaming moth
silent as the silk smooth rains
hot against his waking cheeks
his burning eyes find ceiling
his mouth wide open grasping air
his heaving chest
gripped beneath granite stone
hot against his waking cheeks
his burning eyes find ceiling
his mouth wide open grasping air
his heaving chest
gripped beneath granite stone
spring broke early this year
spring broke early this year
calves growin’, colt born, quarter plowed
looks fine to seed
sonofabitch
we got nothin’ to complain about
spring broke early this year
calves growin’, colt born, quarter plowed
looks fine to seed
sonofabitch
we got nothin’ to complain about
goin’ to town
hitched the wagon
Horses hard to catch this morning
didn’t even want to come to rustling pail of oats
strong spring Winds spooked them I guess
fighting the bit the first half hour
finally settled down
I relaxed my hands on the reins
hitched the wagon
Horses hard to catch this morning
didn’t even want to come to rustling pail of oats
strong spring Winds spooked them I guess
fighting the bit the first half hour
finally settled down
I relaxed my hands on the reins
She’s pregnant beside me
Young one asleep in the back
Dogs sauntering slow behind
saw it coming black against the clean clear sky
turned back, quick time home
storm did double
water planted in his lungs
that spring I buried the first of my seed
Young one asleep in the back
Dogs sauntering slow behind
saw it coming black against the clean clear sky
turned back, quick time home
storm did double
water planted in his lungs
that spring I buried the first of my seed
rocking chair
i rock all the time
moment i sit down i need to rock
back and forth, back and forth
she says it’s cause my parents moved
before my roots took hold
left me feeling alone
always looking for a place
just like the one i first left
i rock all the time
moment i sit down i need to rock
back and forth, back and forth
she says it’s cause my parents moved
before my roots took hold
left me feeling alone
always looking for a place
just like the one i first left
she says
there’s no such thing as leaving
she says
the rocking feeds my way back home
frees my way back home
without asking anything from me
she took all her savings
and bought me a rocking chair
i rock all the time
there’s no such thing as leaving
she says
the rocking feeds my way back home
frees my way back home
without asking anything from me
she took all her savings
and bought me a rocking chair
i rock all the time
this time, walk away
mare nudges colt
born by tidal moon
spirit dance ignites the sky
stand further away
careful
move slowly
recognize the danger
mare nudges colt
born by tidal moon
spirit dance ignites the sky
stand further away
careful
move slowly
recognize the danger
proud
mare’s head whips up
ears forward
looks right at you
through you
colt shivers to stand
northern lights, full moon
and a mother’s pride
recognize the danger
mare’s head whips up
ears forward
looks right at you
through you
colt shivers to stand
northern lights, full moon
and a mother’s pride
recognize the danger
Born By Tidal Moon
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