Metta

[Jimbeaux]

Also here, one can see that the goals of Metta seem quite similar to Zen:

Monks, when universal love leading to liberation of mind is ardently practiced, developed, unrelentingly resorted to, used as one's vehicle, made the foundation of one's life, fully established, well consolidated and perfected, then these eleven blessings may be expected. What eleven?

One sleeps happily; one wakes happily; one does not suffer bad dreams; one is dear to human beings; one is dear to non-human beings; the gods protect one; no fire or poison or weapon harms one; one's mind gets quickly concentrated; the expression of one's face is serene; one dies unperturbed; and even if one fails to attain higher states, one will at least reach the state of the Brahma world.


Monks, when universal love leading to liberation of mind is ardently practiced, developed, unrelentingly resorted to, used as one's vehicle, made the foundation of one's life, fully established, well consolidated and perfected, then these eleven blessings may be expected.

Note: I took this and my last post from the website I linked to in my original post.

[Kingmonkey]

Some more confusion?

To be confused is not always bad. There is also the good side of confusion.

More, and more, and more, ... and more confused, ... ... when the confusion reaches its ultimate... , ... then it's all clear.

Joko

I had something like this crossing my mind when I wrote that I am cofused clearly

Thank you Joko Sipak

[Jimbeaux]

Sukhavati or The Complete Book of Zen?? In the end I chose The Complete Book of Zen and my fiancee's sister gave me Sukhavati for my birthday.

I read well over the first half of Zen over the holidays. I really enjoy it. In fact after reading the Platform Sutra, I found my kung fu practice to be at a deeper level. I was really able to "shut off" the monkey mind better than ever during golden bridge. I happened to time myself and made a new personal record.

If in the end Barry's original post about metta, which led me to start this thread, has indirectly introduced me to Zen, that's fine with me!

With love,
Jim

PS, Kingmonkey: I've really enjoyed reading some of your recent posts. Thanks for sharing.

[Kingmonkey]

I was really able to "shut off" the monkey mind better

PS, Kingmonkey: I've really enjoyed reading some of your recent posts. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome,
but who the hell would want to shut off his Monkeymind????

Pat

[Luo Lang]

Hey Jim,
I am glad you could benefit tremendously from "just reading" the complete book of Zen! it's a masterpiece in so many manners.

I trust you will higly enjoy Shukavati as well!

As for the Monkeymind!

The Great Lord Buddha compared the mind with the charaketistics of a Monkey, jumping around, playing games with others an himself, restless always traying to get attached by something else. Well basically it's just an analogy. The Buddha often refers our mind to be like wild horses also.

Basically what's meant is the countless neverending thoughts arising, not getting focussed, beeing restless in thoughts without ending.

The Monkey mind or spirit though is different. One need to be very very focussed and one pointed minded at the very same time relaxed to get this special state of mind indeed.
Then often the restlesness heart of a Monkey is very noble and can be very useful! The heart of determination: It's a very deep determination to reach aims and objectives. One of the the Greatest heart determination examples is the Great Sage equal to Heaven.

Warmest regards,

[Kingmonkey]

As for the Monkeymind!

The Great Lord Buddha compared the mind with the charaketistics of a Monkey, jumping around, playing games with others an himself, restless always traying to get attached by something else. Well basically it's just an analogy. The Buddha often refers our mind to be like wild horses also.

Basically what's meant is the countless neverending thoughts arising, not getting focussed, beeing restless in thoughts without ending.

The Monkey mind or spirit though is different. One need to be very very focussed and one pointed minded at the very same time relaxed to get this special state of mind indeed.
Then often the restlesness heart of a Monkey is very noble and can be very useful! The heart of determination: It's a very deep determination to reach aims and objectives. One of the the Greatest heart determination examples is the Great Sage equal to Heaven.

Thank you very much Sifu for pointing this out.
In fact my quote was a bit of a joke with the ulterior motive to provoke people to think abot exactly what you have pointed out so well now...

Tank you, and see you tonight
Pat

[Jimbeaux]

I'd like to echo those thanks. That was a very nice post.

I've heard the term "monkey mind" being used to describe the restless, endless thoughts that can throw off one's meditation (and other things), but I've never thought about the distinction between that and what could maybe be described as the "Monkey Spirit".

No offense to any monkeys was intended!

All the best,
Jim

[joko]

Hanuman

Wonderful thread!

Has anybody heard or known "Hanuman"?

Thanks, Joko

[Luo Lang]

Dear Joko,
Hope you are doing well!

I have heard the name a couple of times but never got to deeper researches! maybe some others may have some interessting accounts!

[Kingmonkey]

Hi

I to do not know very much, what I do remember is that Hanuman is a Hindu God, also referred to as "Son of the Wind". He is a general of, if I remember right a monkey army. As far as I can remember, there are some similarities to the Great Sage equal to Heavan, but also many differences.
Hanuman is highly related to Rama and in the Ramayana epos he's playing an important role. He is sometimes seen with ten arms and five heads of different animals. He is considered highly inteligent, meek,absolutely loyal, smart and he has superhuman powers.

I could imagine that like Buddhism has been brought to China and further developed there independently, that somehow Hanuman has influenced the development of the legends around Sun Wukong....

Thats about as much as I know

[Kingmonkey]

Funny how things sometimes go;
I just drove past this building in rural switzerland this morning.
you can't see it very well on the picture but it has a stylised figure of hanuman as a logo above the lettering....

[Jimbeaux]

Hmmm...

Maybe a spiritual "King Monkey" is trying to communicate with an earthly one??

[Kingmonkey]

hmmmm....

Who can tell ?