Continuous and Discontinuous

Time is, as I always say, time is continuous and discontinuous. Time is not always continuous. Time is discontinuous. Time stops, you know. If it is going, you cannot say, "this is six o’clock or eight o’clock." When you say eight o'clock, it is eight o'clock; it is not a future nine o'clock. It is eight o'clock. So, when you say “eight o'clock,” time stops, tentatively. But actually, it is going on—we have to know that actually time is going on and on, but we have to say, tentatively “it is nine o'clock” or “seven o'clock.” From this understanding, time is some point on a straight line from past to future. But actually, time is going and going on and on, so there is no point to point at. It is going on; the only way you have it is to follow a clock or sunshine. That is the only way we form the idea of time. So, when you have an idea of time, it means you have an idea of continuity and discontinuity.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-08-17N as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

At the Same Time

Those who believe in a teleological understanding of life sacrifice this present for the future. Actually, what we should have is happiness in this moment. To sacrifice this moment for the sake of the future is upside-down. If you understand our life, on the one hand our life should be absolutely free from past and future. At the same time, we have to have some purpose, some goal to achieve. How this contradictory way of thinking goes together is our philosophy.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-08-17N as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Featured Cuke Archives page

Dor Ben-Amotz is a science professor who, in this podcast, talks about his experience teaching a course in Buddhism and Meditation at Bennington College in Vermont. He also speaks about how he got into Buddhism and meditation, his time at Green Gulch Farm, and more. Links to the podcast and course syllabus are at - cuke.com/f.

Freedom

In Buddhism, we do not ignore freedom. At least, at a certain moment, we have freedom. But in the next moment, we have to change our way, literally. And next we have to change more. In this way, everything will—our life, will go on and on. This is a Buddhist understanding of our life.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 66-08-17N as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

A Course Syllabus on Buddhism and Meditation

Dor Ben-Amotz is a science teacher who has taught classes in Buddhism and Meditation as well. Among other practice pursuits, he gets to Green Gulch for sesshin when he can. Here's a syllabus for a course he taught last fall at Bennington College in Vermont. 

No Other Way

If the earth says, I don’t want the sun [laughs], what will happen to it? There is no other way. Because of this unthinkable thinking we exist, we can think, we can live. Without this unthinkable thinking, it would change into delusion. If you insist on avoiding it, it means you are involved in dark deep delusion.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-12-04-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Why Something Is Important

You should not neglect our zazen because you think something else is more important. Why something is important for you is because of this practice. So, if you forget all about practice, you lose your life. Whatever you do, it doesn’t work.

Drawing by Stan White

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-12-04-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Aftermath of Election

Pat McMahon sends: 

AFTERMATH OF ELECTION and anticipating the inauguration of the new regime - Nov. 14, 2024

It's not a political piece. He compares how he felt with a day back in 1971 at Zen Center and transcends it all. - dc  

Pat McMahon cuke page

Beyond Thinking and Unthinking

The first way you think, that is how. That is the unthinkable. But you have no notion of thinking about anything. That is our practice. “How do you think the unthinkable. Think beyond thinking and unthinking.” Think beyond thinking and unthinking. Your thinking should be beyond I think or I don’t think. It must be right there always.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-12-04-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.

Unthinkable Thinking

What it means is very deep. How do you think the unthinkable? This is not just a question. It is a strong statement. How do you think the unthinkable. This is not interrogative. It is a strong affirmative sentence. How do you think the unthinkable. Unthinkable thinking is how.

—cuke.com/ig for links to the source of the image. Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture 67-12-04-A as found on shunryusuzuki.com, edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for the Instagram version.