[MD] Barbarians & Hippies

[Heather Perella]

     Peter said:  "...the vast majority don't have
time for reflection because their life situation is
too critical; they are bound up in the biological and
social levels..."

     I couldn't have said it better myself.  I am
getting caught up with Dan in the Ham Swiss Cheese
topic over social issues, static social issues, I
think, more than reflective, intellectual issues. 
Sure the mind is exercised, because I am thinking
about it, yet, I am trying and Dan is probably as
well, trying to be intellectual, yet, I alone in the
discussion might be getting too socially oriented. 
This might be more intellectually valuable as it
refers to your comment on reflection.  
     At times, I talk about more quality time, which
your "reflection" as stated above is exactly what I am
calling for when I say 'quality time'.  I have tried
to define quality time for me as fishing, walking in
the woods, camping, sitting by a fire, thoughtful time
with the universe (which probably could better be said
as reflecting upon the universe), zazen, being with my
wife and family, etc...  All of this is my foundation.
 My home base so to speak.  I value these more than
anything, my wife especially, and I would like the
quality time I do have with these listed values to be
stretched I guess because of the high value I give
them.  These values during my quality time provide
time for reflection that for me happens while I am
able to have the time to experience them fully, not in
a rush and 'wait til next time' kind of experience. 
Sure bumps occur and I know I have been bashed for
complaining, but I am only pointing out what is
valuable to me.  Maybe I could spread my zazen to
other spheres of my experience, which would give me
something to work on, but as of now I am still working
on spreading zazen to those other spheres and the
exercise of such an ordeal is weathering.  Constant
effort is all I can do.  I do not advocate a
perfection in my experience, just something to work on
intellectually, which when reflected upon I see it as
this,

     'This something to work on opens weakness for
strength
          The new hill for me is already felt by these
legs
     The hill approaches not just within my view for
the 
          path along this direction has contacted the
mind, too.'


SA

P.S. When I think of mind I am talking about conscious
mind, which in my understanding for clarification as
to where I am coming from, this conscious mind
includes the heart as well.

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