Time for a new month-long project! I have not done this sort of thing in quite some time, but it is nice to change things up every once in awhile. Here it is:
For the entire month of November I will be answering one question per day from a reader. I will be taking submissions every single day, so it will not be pre-planned in any way, other than choosing the question and writing the answer.
I will be accepting questions all the way to the 30th of November, and you can submit them by commenting on this post, through the Contact Page on this site, or through Twitter. (NOTE: You can find my Twitter account HERE.)
For those of you submitting questions, I'll be happy to link to you if you have a website, Twitter account, etc. But if you want to remain anonymous, or if you do not tell me one way or the other, I will just use your first name, or your initials.
When I decided to do this, I wanted to approach it with as little planning as possible, and not amass questions during the first couple of days, then plan out my answers as the days slowly rolled by. That is not my style, anyway...
I will most likely answer your questions in a written post, but I may decide to record audio or video for the answer instead. I'll just go with whatever feels right at the time.
The questions themselves should be on the topic of this website, but we can still have some fun. It doesn't have to be all nothingness wrapped in enigmatic nonsense. Use your imagination, and feel free to ask anything you like. I can't guarantee I'll answer every question, but I will keep them all as I might use them in future posts.
So let's get to it! What would you like to ask?
10 comments, since Nove
Thanks for your replies so far, everyone!
Remember, even if I do not use your question for the first post, I may eventually get to it in another post.
Thanks again for your participation...
Why do you use black and white so much in your photos/pics?
Question: If there is something that you are involved with that you feel isn't right for you... For example: A job, a relationship, a diet, separating yourself from The One existence.... you know, the usual :-)... If you are involved with it and have made repeated attempts to divorce yourself from it but for some reason are unable to. Even though it seems like it should be completely easy and simple to do it, there is something that prevents you. How should one approach such a "problem"? Better to allow it to be as it is? Simply observe it? Make more efforts to change it? And if the answer is not the last one, then how to deal with the continued ill feelings it brings?
Blessings to you :-) Eric
Thanks, Ju!
You question has been cataloged. ;)
Actually, I have had two other 'art' related questions through Twitter, so I may combine yours with the other two and answer them all at the same time.
Be good!
Hi Takuin, I am a bit frustrated with no-self language. I've read your blog for a while but rarely comment.
My question: in no-self language is there a way to express our individuality?
I think our individuality is beautiful and worthy. (At the extreme the Buddha was different to his followers and this is good.) Different talents, styles, manners of doing and being . . . all beautiful.
The denial of the reality of 'self' (or ego or whatever) seems fair enough - but I don't see how to express our beauty and uniqueness in this language.
You may not share my judgement (that these things are beautiful and valuable) or my perception (that these things are far more than delusion) I suppose.
This is an awesome month-long gift! Thanks so much.
Can you address the challenge of incorporating a work life into all of this enlightenment stuff? There are days when all I want to do is sit, be, enjoy . . . while the unattended to-do list grows, and the mind issues nonstop commentary and criticism and fear.
Namaste @Takuin
Reaction, action and inaction. Thoughts, words, actions, outcomes. Continual feedback loops and aggregate societal plasticity. For the watcher to act with wisdom, does practice entail sacrifice?
@irldexter
Thank you, Eric. I've added this to the growing list. :)
Thank you, A!
I have added your question in with the others.
Take care!
Takuin, when you see a flower, you see a flower. When you see a tree you see a tree. You say all of us have the capacity, the potential to see things totally, that it doesn't take much, that it's like breathing. That may be true but how many human beings actually see this possibility turning real in their lives? I don't see a flower, a tree, nature the way you do, though I really want to. Nothing gives me peace.
Isn't it true that you see the way you do because of the accident? Why is there such an unfair balance between people who can see and those who can't? It's as if those who can see came here to truly live. Why indeed should people who live in frustration or misery live?