Zen isn't about just sitting in the moment...it is about trying to be absolutely present and manifest to one's fullest at that preceise moment (and every moment).
I think you are actually projecting our Western values onto the Eastern religon/philosophy of zen. I don't think the actual practice is about real world analysis and progressive change. Indeed, I think it literally is more about sitting in the moment - zazen over social activism. The orient is more passive and introspective that way.
You said that you are going to re-read "Candide" and bear in mind my perspective. I do urge you to forget about everything else you have read and studied of Voltaire. Pretend that it's an anonymous author, and that all your thought is to be limited to the text of this story. I think you may then better apprecite my point about the book and the idea of working in the garden amidst a strife-filled and tragic world.
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Date: 2006-01-10 09:46 pm (UTC)From:I think you are actually projecting our Western values onto the Eastern religon/philosophy of zen. I don't think the actual practice is about real world analysis and progressive change. Indeed, I think it literally is more about sitting in the moment - zazen over social activism. The orient is more passive and introspective that way.
You said that you are going to re-read "Candide" and bear in mind my perspective. I do urge you to forget about everything else you have read and studied of Voltaire. Pretend that it's an anonymous author, and that all your thought is to be limited to the text of this story. I think you may then better apprecite my point about the book and the idea of working in the garden amidst a strife-filled and tragic world.