« Quand nous conceptualisons, nous découpons et nous fixons, en éliminant tout ce que nous n’avons pas fixé. Un concept désigne un ‘cela-et-rien-d’autre.’ «
« When we conceptualize, we cut and fix, eliminating everything that we have not fixed. A concept designates a ‘this-and-nothing-else.’ «
— William James, « A Pluralistic Universe » (Un univers pluraliste)
Le Web carnet de Amy Hollowell Sensei, fondatrice de la Wild Flower Zen Sangha et successeur de Catherine Genno Pagès Roshi dans le lignage Zen Soto de Taizan Maezumi Roshi, fondateur du Centre Zen de Los Angeles.
The Web notebook of Amy Hollowell Sensei, founder of the Wild Flower Zen Sangha and dharma successor of Catherine Genno Pagès Roshi in the Soto Zen lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Los Angeles Zen Center.
We can also say "the perfect way" — where everything is just as it is. This "way" is right here.
A classic Zen poem begins,
"The perfect way is not difficult,
It just dislikes picking and choosing."
So indeed it is easy when you experience "tu es cela" (you are that), everything in its place (no tension), here and now.
Of course we do not always experience it as thus.
Nonetheless, it is so.
There is no life apart from living, no living apart from life.
We have nothing special to do but be here now.
thank you for your commentaire.
Never heard of ‘the middle way’
It must be easy pour ‘Tu es cela’!
To me it is like a feeling of the right tension: no tension. Life is living itself.
Indeed! In fact, it is much easier to just be (and requires no effort) than it is to not just be, which requires great effort. This is what in Buddhism is referred to as « the middle way, » or what I call « passing by the either/or. » See Joyce « beholding » entry above…
In visual terms:
The beginning of concept is the making of "gestalts".
Creating foreground and background. Only interested in foreground losing touch with background.
When we realy observe completely, foreground and background are on one level. This is the point where two opposites become both sides of the same coin. The point of no rejection. The silent point.
Upon this fundament we create storylevel ( categorische imperatief Kant) and abstract level. Only interested in storylevel. Losing touch with abstract level.
How difficult it is just to observe, not to force/construct anything in this way…
How difficult it is just to be…