~ZEN KITTY~

Wavy Gravy once asked a Zen Roshi, "What happens after death?"
The Roshi replied, "I don't know."
Wavy protested, "But you're a Zen Master!"
"Yes," the Roshi admitted, "but I'm not a dead Zen Master."
Well, since most of what I have learned so far is 10 fold over and beyond my comprehension I resort to humor:-) Yes, my name is Marylou and I am addicted to humor!!

I have been learning about "sitting" (zazen) which is the meditative portion of ZEN, the most important. It involves the position of ones spine, breathing properly and being a contortionist:) JK.....Once you are in a "sitting" position on a cushion, legs crossed with your feet resting on your thighs, hands together with thumbs touching leveled at your navel, eyes open but sorta closed, it's not as simplistic as is sounds, you may begin:) If one cannot clear one's mind and center himself then ZEN is not really gonna work for ya....the analogy used in my book refers to "jumping monkeys"...YEP...apparently we all have "jumping monkeys" in our minds and we need to rid ourselves of them to find clarity. Anyone gotta bunch of bananas????? I am condensing here immensely and taking liberal license, but since it is MY blog I don't have any issues with that. I am having difficulties with clearing my mind...no snide remarks please, have gotten those from my loved ones and let me simply say this, they only said it one time!!!!! I am still on my path, trying to find my way ZEN style. I may have to make a few adjustments here and there and decide what works best for me. To be a complete ZEN student one must be very disciplined and this is an attribute lacking in my "being" so I have taken a few shortcuts here and there. I think as long as I stay on the path, Dharma, I may certainly choose which fork in the road to follow:) Now, go out there and free yourself of those darn monkeys, find clarity, be at peace with the world and don't forget to............HUG LIFE!!! Marylou