[MD] mythological reflections on star wars

[MarshaV]

At 10:22 AM 6/20/2007, you wrote:

>      [SA previously]
> >    The question is how unattached is "yes, no, & all
>of the above"
> > from practical reality/sense reality.  Historically,
>Zen had a
> > degenerate problem with nothingness.  Certain
>practitioners inclined
> > >themselves to  not think, to rid thoughts, instead
>of realizing
> > thoughts are still a manifestation of this reality.
>The 6th patriarch in > China went at great lengthens
>to rid not-thinking, and said non-
> > thinking is much different.  He became the only
>Buddhist practitioner > to have his words declared a
>sutra outside of India.  Are you non-
> > thinking or trying to not-think?  Do you like static
>quality?
>
>      [Marsha]
> > Great question!  I think holding 'yes, no & all of
>the above' in your
> > mind requires alertness, watchfulness, openness.
>It's realizing and > appreciating both ground and
>figure.  It is emptying the predictable.  > It is
>accepting vulnerability.
> > Do I like static quality?  Yes, no & all of the
>above.
>
>      I see what you mean.  Something about,
>"...appreciating both ground and figure..." that
>helps.  By ground, I take that to mean practical
>reality, as in she is grounded.  By figure, I take
>this to mean self.  I agree with this.  Maybe you were
>using ground and figure another way?
>      So, you do think.  It is a non-thinking, NOT a
>not thinking you try to partake.  That's what I try to
>do, too.  Therefore leaving oneself open, alert, and
>ready for what happens.

SA,

I don't understand your non-thinking versus not thinking.  Thinking 
is experience too, is it not?   Do you think thinking is a poor 
substitute to direct experience?  Isn't thinking just another form of 
direct experience?  What do you think?

Marsha