Indeed. If you claim all the time that things aren’t true and yet aren’t not true, and that something is one with some other thing, some of the claims are going to resemble actual insights.
If this came from real understanding, why did they single out “the enlightened man” when it applies to everyone?
Normal people have intentions, and try to initiate actions, that are not compatible with the nature of things, and thus are not one with any descriptions of that nature. The enlightened know what the rules are and do not attempt to act in ways not in accordance with them.
Everyone is bound by the laws of nature. The enlightened are not restricted by them.
Everyone is bound by the laws of nature. The enlightened are not restricted by them.
An excellent way of putting it! I’m going to have to steal that one. ;-) Is it yours? I see that Google only finds your comment, so how would you like to be attributed?
(The closest phrasing I had to this is, “The only limitations you have, besides those imposed by the laws of physics, are the ones that come from your own mind.” Your version is more compact and poetic.)
LM: “The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Ch’in. It’s my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I’m going to make him the most loved of rulers.”
X: “Don’t you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?”
LM: “Not at all. As long as good is done.”
X: “You write down all that wisdom stuff—huh?”
LM: “Yes—in his book.”
X: “You give him credit for that, too?”
LM: “This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it—Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?”
Sounds profound, but I wonder whether the correctness of these koans shows anything besides the selection bias.
Indeed. If you claim all the time that things aren’t true and yet aren’t not true, and that something is one with some other thing, some of the claims are going to resemble actual insights.
If this came from real understanding, why did they single out “the enlightened man” when it applies to everyone?
Because it doesn’t apply to everyone.
Normal people have intentions, and try to initiate actions, that are not compatible with the nature of things, and thus are not one with any descriptions of that nature. The enlightened know what the rules are and do not attempt to act in ways not in accordance with them.
Everyone is bound by the laws of nature. The enlightened are not restricted by them.
An excellent way of putting it! I’m going to have to steal that one. ;-) Is it yours? I see that Google only finds your comment, so how would you like to be attributed?
(The closest phrasing I had to this is, “The only limitations you have, besides those imposed by the laws of physics, are the ones that come from your own mind.” Your version is more compact and poetic.)
LM: “The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Ch’in. It’s my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I’m going to make him the most loved of rulers.”
X: “Don’t you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?”
LM: “Not at all. As long as good is done.”
X: “You write down all that wisdom stuff—huh?”
LM: “Yes—in his book.”
X: “You give him credit for that, too?”
LM: “This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it—Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?”
The Debt
Hey, I don’t make the Zen dogma, I just explain how the world looks from that perspective. If you dislike its teachings, that isn’t my problem.