Finding an Alternative Way of Life... Practicing Interconnectedness
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2022
- In this excerpt from a 2022 interview, Zen Buddhist Abbot Shohaku Okumura shares an alternative way of life that is free from suffering. Subscribe to Interior Mythos Journeys: czcams.com/users/Interiormyt...
Many thanks to the Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, Indiana: www.sanshinji.org/
The cinematic art forms of Interior Mythos Journeys are an effort to reacquaint us with the practices and exercises that have the possibility of delivering us into an encounter with the timeless deep place that is forever with us, but that we have become very skilled at not noticing. Please encounter: Finding an Alternative Way of Life... Practicing Interconnectedness
Our Mission: The curriculum of Interior Mythos Journeys is a quest to explore contemporary mythic language that is in harmony with the 21st Century, Global, Quantum Scientific, and Universal Reality in which we all actually live. Learn more at interiormythos.com/
As we solitarily and collectively claim the force of a relevant contemporary mythos, we are delivered to the possibility of life-lived-in-depth, the possibility of authentic life. This is the path beneath the surface.
The Transformative Encounter: The Practice of Contemplation
In the current age this transformative encounter, as well as the practices that deliver us to this encounter and the personal connection that flows from this encounter, is seldom the focus of our lives. Many of us wander disoriented through life, often on a self-destructive path, in a world seen, understood, and measured primarily by the external environment. We are disconnected from the Connecting Myth. We are disconnected from the interior depth to which the Connecting Myth might deliver us. Ironically, we have come to understand myth as a lie rather than a symbolic and metaphoric gateway to a deeper truth.
#interiormythosjourneys #zazen
The interconnectedness Abbot Okumura describes feels at the core of it all. This reality of oneness with all beings is the way life is. When I was fifteen it began to dawn on me that things were not as I had been conditioned to believe in my society. I didn’t have the language back then, but I became so angry and felt betrayed. Now I would use the phrase that Bell Hooks described, to say I grew up in systems of imperialist white supremacist heteropatriarchy that molded every part of who I was, what I thought and how I behaved.
As an adult I haven’t escaped society by any means, but I want to live as alternatively and practice interconnectedness. I hope to achieve 1 (me) = 0 (empty) = infinity (interconnectedness). I often forget this reality and am (thankfully) reminded again.
But I long for more interconnectedness in the physical way I live. I am killing our planet by the way I live. I feel very conflicted - living in a single family house, buying groceries, throwing things away - consume, consume, trash, trash. It hurts the planet and all beings. I don’t know how to get away from it and yet I am grateful for what I have. But I would like affordable, available choices about how to live more in harmony with the ecosystem.
I recently visited Seattle with my husband and children. Our 11 year old had the opportunity to go backpacking in Olympic national Park in the Ozette triangle. He came out of the wilderness with so much aliveness and reverence for the ocean, animals and land. He could not stop talking about how much he wants to protect nature. I felt overwhelming despair. I realized I didn’t believe we could reverse the way we live. It is too late and the powers that be don’t care. There is too much profit in global destruction. I want to believe in his optimism and in his faith that this planet is worth fighting for.
I do not know how to turn this ship around or if it’s even possible at this point. But I do believe it begins with me and with each of us. It begins with practicing ways of emptying ourselves. One way to do this is by becoming still and connecting with silence. Another is to offer oneself into the service and care of others, which can happen in so many ways. And a big part of this alternative way of life is choosing to be present to suffering, and not turn away when things feel despairing and impossible.
Serene Voyager, you have perfectly described the current moment in its suffering, heartbreak, and possibility for practice. May we each become Serene Voyagers “saving the world” one breath, one step, one act of generosity, one thought of lovingkindness at-a-time. One = Zero = Infinity! Thank you.
Thank you 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️.
Robert Wilson, you are welcome!
We are grateful you discovered this channel. We hope you will return often and share your comments freely.
If you wish to adopt a regular practice of exploring a deep personal journey within this 21st Century global village we share, consider the sequential steps of the “Life Journeys” series you can discover in the Playlists on this channel. We know of no more important practice for humanity today than re-connecting with the universal Deep Place and allowing this connection to modulate our thinking and action. This material can nurture the beginning seeker or the well-practiced master. Our world needs contemporary contemplative practitioners.
The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, and many others from the East and the West. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. Think of each module (Station) as a component of daily practice or study like a foundational dharma talk or contemplative catechism.
To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day, or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with an awareness of “The Presence.” czcams.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/video.html. This sequential journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link to the next sequential station. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
Here is a link to a short context that will help you understand the “Life Journeys” series: czcams.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/video.html GO Deep!
love the way he says: Interconnectedness
Sincere Machine, we agree! May we all awaken the path of interconnectedness. The only path to get there is the Deep Path!
We are grateful you discovered this channel. We hope you will return often and share your comments freely.
If you wish to adopt a regular practice of exploring a deep personal journey within this 21st Century global village we share, consider the sequential steps of the “Life Journeys” series you can discover in the Playlists on this channel. We know of no more important practice for humanity today than re-connecting with the universal Deep Place and allowing this connection to modulate our thinking and action. This material can nurture the beginning seeker or the well-practiced master. Our world needs contemporary contemplative practitioners.
The “Life Journey” series uses material from some of the greatest living teachers who are mostly unknown to the popular culture; including Abbot Shohaku Okumura, Sister Joan Chittister, and many others from the East and the West. These sequential cinematic art form modules guide one deeper and deeper into consciousness and the practices of a contemporary contemplative. Think of each module (Station) as a component of daily practice or study like a foundational dharma talk or contemplative catechism.
To advance in becoming a contemplative practitioner, we suggest encountering one sequential module per day, or some other regular schedule that works for you. The journey begins with an awareness of “The Presence.” czcams.com/video/gekfR1jrsko/video.html. This sequential journey is an excellent opportunity for solitary inquiry or shared group discussion. The top Comment listed under each module contains a context for the specific video on screen and a link to the next sequential station. We hope to see more comments and reflections from you again soon. We will always attempt to respond.
Here is a link to a short context that will help you understand the “Life Journeys” series: czcams.com/video/vDChtBZdqiw/video.html GO Deep!