conundrum

I'm walking a tightrope here. I detest patronizing behavior and don't want to indulge in it. At the same time, I want to be clear and open. So, I'll do my best.

From where I sit, this question of how to reconcile karma and not-self is a complete non-issue. It's one of the problems that enlightenment cures. One of my dharma friends remarked the other day that sometimes, in response to questions, he wants to say, "Just practice for another 1,000 hours or so and see if it's still a question." There is wisdom in that. Meanwhile, behave as though karma matters very much, even when you are convinced that it doesn't.

Thanks for listening,

Kenneth

I can definitely buy that, man! sounds good

I like what Jackson posted and what Kenneth just said. At some point "up there" in this dialog I was completely misinterpreted. That's okay and there's no point in going back over what is now old territory. I would urge folks to please try to think inclusively. All of our experience is all of our experience. Knowing what the true nature of that experience is, well, that's a major key IMHO.

I also want to say again (but using different words) that the mind (yours, mine, everyone's) will do everything it can to resolve what it believes to be a conundrum with concepts and the application of intellect. Maybe intellect is part of what creates the conundrum and not its "resolution."

Peace from Atlanta

This image popped into my mind today.

'You were raised in a house that, in the middle of the living room, had a pole-like object with hooks on it. You were taught that this was the main 'foundation-pole' of the house, and that it should not be moved.

One day you're running into your home from playing outside and, paying attention to something else, you run into the rack and it gets bumped to the side. The house doesn't shake or even crumble. Turns out it was a coat rack; not the 'foundation-pole'.

Must you now enter a crisis as to what to do with this coat-rack? Does the fact that it was not the foundation pole mean that it did not exist?

No. It exists. It's a coat-rack. Hang your coat and hat on it.

I think that it's a wonderful thing to exercise one's intellect. Vigorous attention yields insight no matter in which sphere it is applied. But the intellect is as slippery as an eel. And it will trick you into perceiving that it supplied information and answers that it never actually did.

There are thinking questions and doing questions. Thinking questions are best answered by thinking; and doing questions best answered by doing.

If an intellectual question is driving you batty, and that was not the original intent, it can be a good idea to enlist the assistance of a 5-year old, a swimming pool, or a jogging track to help put the intellect back into context. (Spouses work as well, but use at your own risk.)

Thank you everyone for the support. I hope my confusion has not made me look too foolish. I'll do my best to live life as usual and keep practicing.

Not foolish at all, maybe overly intellectual, in fact.

It happens to me too.

Thoughts move fast. Gut moves slow. Thoughts want to rush ahead, but gut is where the practice is needed.

In my case, fear is a factor that has often motivated intellectual flight. Just part of my karma. Keep coming back to practice.

It's an honor to share the road with you.