BEING ZEN

If you look at the origin of "Zen" you get lost ! Today we use the word being zen, as "try to be zen" as replacement of "be cool", "take it easy".

The definition of Zen is rather complicated ! Zen originated in India, when the Buddha held up a flower and Kasyappa smiled.(I don't know who that is, sorry)

Then Buddhism was introduced to China in the first century CE. According to tradition by an Indian patriarch of Zen, then it arrived in Japan in the 8th century. That's really a very short resume of Zen !

Anyway I haven't seen yet one person holding up a flower and smile when he or she is not in a zen mood. That's my case right now ! I don't know what the opposit of zen is, but that's like I feel.

Today is the 11th of November "Armistice Day" and a bank holiday in Belgium. They celebrate the end of the first world war ! I wonder why countries are celebrating war ends of 100 or 70 years ago instead of ending the wars which are going on right now ?? To celebrate in a 100 years the end ??






This is also my last post for Alphabet Thursday. Unfortunately Jenny Matlock who had created this meme in 2009 is so sick that she is unable to continue ! It's sad I participated almost since the very beginning.

I hope she will heal soon and wish her all the best !

more participants at Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday

ARE YOU ZEN ?

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Today the word "zen" has become quiet commun. If you are very much excited, nervous, or agitated people tell you to be more "zen" instead of "calm down", "take it easy" etc. Of course even the new word "be zen" doesn't help and makes you even more agitated.

When I looked up to know the origin of this new word in our vocabulary,  (it moved in in all languages), there is so much to read that it would take me a few a days or even weeks, so for those who want to know more when and why "Zen" came to the Western world you can find all about it here.
 
Although it is difficult to trace back when the West first became aware of Zen, apparently a Japanese Zen monk, started with it in Chicago during the World Parliament of Religions in 1893. But it was only during the late 1950s and the early 1960s that the number of Westerners got a serious interest in Zen which then began to reach a significant level. Especially Japanese Zen has gained popularity in the West.

One way to think of zen is this: "a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind". I am not sure that I reached this, but at least my head sits on my body. That's already something. Where my mind is depends.

Apparently Zen "involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts". An example was given :

"Sun is warm, grass is green." So I must be zen, because that I knew. Only sometimes the sun is not warm, then it becomes complicated.

After having studied enough about being Zen, I now feel better and far more wiser !

All of you follow my advice : Be zen, even if your house burns down in front of your eyes ! Then you have reached the perfect "yourself".

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

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13 Daily moments of Zen

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbour's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

6.. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

7. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day.

8. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

9. If you drink, don't park; accidents cause people.

10. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes of bad judgment.

11. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

12. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

13. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. (whose fault ?)