02-22-2017, 10:00 AM
Chaos...
I once inner-tubed down the Icheetucknee river (Sp?) in central Florida.
During my journey down the incredibly clear blue river, my uncle happened to see a can of Coke, unopened, on the bottom of the river. When he pointed it out, I considered diving for it, and then realized that the river was much deeper at that spot, and faster flowing, than it appeared to be. I knew that it was there because it was very difficult to reach, and I told him so.
He insisted that it was only five or six feet deep, and dove for it. Only to find that the river, at that point, was at least 15 feet deep, and the current below the surface was much faster than the surface current. Try as he might, even as a surfer in peak shape, he could not reach it.
During the rest of the day, as it turned out, we happened to have our lunch directly in front of that spot. We watched again and again as countless others tried - and failed - to get that can of Coke.
Now... what does this have to do with the definition of "zen"?
Just because many misunderstand a deep and subtle concept and think it is much shallower and simpler than it is, does not mean that it is not a deep and subtle concept that is much more complex than it appears. Zen is what it is, regardless of what the masses think, or how much they prove their ignorance by trying to tear down others who are achieving success.
I once inner-tubed down the Icheetucknee river (Sp?) in central Florida.
During my journey down the incredibly clear blue river, my uncle happened to see a can of Coke, unopened, on the bottom of the river. When he pointed it out, I considered diving for it, and then realized that the river was much deeper at that spot, and faster flowing, than it appeared to be. I knew that it was there because it was very difficult to reach, and I told him so.
He insisted that it was only five or six feet deep, and dove for it. Only to find that the river, at that point, was at least 15 feet deep, and the current below the surface was much faster than the surface current. Try as he might, even as a surfer in peak shape, he could not reach it.
During the rest of the day, as it turned out, we happened to have our lunch directly in front of that spot. We watched again and again as countless others tried - and failed - to get that can of Coke.
Now... what does this have to do with the definition of "zen"?
Just because many misunderstand a deep and subtle concept and think it is much shallower and simpler than it is, does not mean that it is not a deep and subtle concept that is much more complex than it appears. Zen is what it is, regardless of what the masses think, or how much they prove their ignorance by trying to tear down others who are achieving success.
Subliminal Audio Specialist & Administrator
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
