Both pleasure and pain are temporary and they need to be mediated by an ego…outcome independent (from identification with the feedback from the event [identity mind -->learning mind]) and present, with a detached awareness.
We seek to eliminate the ego, but if we fully eliminated the ego the result would be just sitting there, not eating, not moving seeing all that is, until you wasted away.
Doing anything is an act of the ego. The alternative path of enlightenment is to eliminate reduce the ego until, it finds it’s path towards the “Other’s Purpose.” This is helping to facilitate others becoming aware and reducing their ego.
This is about becoming a teacher. Everyone is critical because different people have different ego stories and those will relate to different people’s journey. Doctor’s might relate better to a doctor’s journey, a homeless person might relate better to another homeless person’s journey.
The secondary purpose is to inspire those you can inspire.
Breathing is the most fundamental process of our body that we have partial control over. So when we seek to eliminate layers of ego, the foundation we are left with is the breath.
The fundamental purpose is to live authentically and without paradox. To experience the world as it is, infinite. The only way to do that is to be present in the moment.
The extension of that is to facilitate this awareness in other sentient beings.
When something unpleasant happens there is a natural inclination to “become stronger” in someway. Coping mechanisms, self-esteem, etc…even if this works temporarily it solidifies the illusion that I am my mind, my cultural identity, my emotions etc.
I have always had an uncomfortable connection with this…on the one hand, it was…on the other thanks to a well read Father I was aware of zen and its goal of ego elimination…and on the other was confusion about zen and no real path towards enlightenment given that most zen is grounded in ancient Japanese metaphors and stories. Eckhart Tolle has reworked zen and pulled in the heart of other religions to provide the first…for me…tangible approach to zen.
WHY THIS IS BIG…for me
Zen to me is foundational philosophy that should direct one’s life. The why of that probably requires a book. The short answer is that it can be a permanent solution for suffering in life and the deepest levels of fulfillment.
Up to this point, for me…pursuit of that has been intractable. This book provides the first steps in the process.
WHERE IT LACKS…for me
It doesn’t completely describe the practical process of zen…specifically, planning and doing and outcome expectations. It addresses all the important issues, but doesn’t provide enough specifics…which is fine, it launches the boat.
Also…and this is CRITICAL…make it PAST the first chapter. The flower metaphor was a little much for me…and a few others. Once you make it past the first chapter you will be good.
YOU CAN GET IT HERE…if I haven’t bought it for you already
http://www.amazon.com/New-Earth-Awakening-Purpose-Selection/dp/0452289963/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306476896&sr=8-1
SERIOUSLY…Just make it past the first chapter.
