Use it !

During the Kamakura period, Shinkan studied Tendai six years and then studied Zen seven years; then he went to China and contemplated Zen for thirteen years more. 
When he returned to Japan many desired to interview him and asked obscure questions. But when Shinkan received visitors, which was infrequently, he seldom answered their questions. 
One day a fifty-year-old student of enlightenment said to Shinkan: "I have studied the Tendai school of thought since I was a little boy, but one thing in it I cannot understand. Tendai claims that even the grass 
and trees will become enlightened. To me this seems very strange." 
"Of what use is it to discuss how grass and trees become enlightened?" asked Shinkan.
"The question is how you yourself can become so. Did you even consider that?"
"I never thought of it that way," marveled the old man. 
"Then go home and think it over," finished Shinkan. 

Dr.Hahnemann- A Good Old Modern Medical Thinker

The world celebrated the "Hahnemann Day" yesterday. Dr.Hahnemann made the discovery of Homoeopathy in Germany in 1810. He was a doctor in the western world who expected the doctor ( and all ) to be "the Unprejudiced Observer"- an observer who observes without any pre-judgement, without any preconceived notions, weighs the situation ( medical or otherwise), takes into account "Medicine of Experience" , thinks logically, has empathy and tries to "Heal the Sick".

Dr.N.L.Tiwari askes," What is prejudice? What is its link to perceiving? How is perceiving linked to perception? Are perceptual niceties and difficulties linked in any way with niceties and difficulties of perceiving? We will explore this at the outset.

Perception and Perceiving

The link between perception and perceiving, we can say, is observation. Let us observe the two pictures below and see what is revealed.

Picture 1

What do you see in Picture 1?

If we carefully observe it, we can see horses camouflaged in the background. There are 5 such horses that can be seen distinctly. All one needs is careful observation so that the details may not be missed, as the images may be inseparable from their background. With partial observation, one may miss the 4th or the 5th horse.

Picture 2 should now be easier to observe and comment upon.

Picture 2

What do you see now in Picture 2? Many people beautifully describe the picture as a romantic couple standing on the seashore near a weird shaped tree, probably very old. The couple is watching the sunset and admiring the mountains on the horizon. My son asked me whether I could see an infant in it. I searched but could not find it. Even the small stone lying near the couple was not it.  My wife standing next to me could see the infant in no time, but it took me 24 hours to see the infant in the picture."

Picture 3

You will certainly look at this picture again..... Why?

Basic principles of homeopathy

The fundamental idea of homeopathy is the Similarity (or Similia) Principle: ‘Similia similibus curentur’ (‘Let like be cured by like’). This implies that substances capable of causing disorder in healthy subjects are used as medicines to treat similar patterns of disorder experienced by ill people. Hippocrates wrote of curing 'like with like' more than 2,000 years ago but it was formally systematized by Hahnemann. He viewed health as a dynamic process tending to maintain a state of optimum equilibrium. Homeopathic medicines are aimed to direct and stimulate the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms.

A second principle in homeopathy is individualization of treatment for the patient. The characteristics of the chosen medicine should be as similar as possible to the characteristics of the illness in the patient. This closest match is called the ‘simillimum’. Similarity may be at the ‘whole person’ level, taking into account the symptoms and signs of the disease, the patient’s physical build, personality, temperament and genetic predispositions. This high level of individualization is not always required: ‘similarity’ may be at a more specific, local level, especially in the treatment of acute conditions.

A third principle is the use of the minimum dose. The doses used in homeopathy range from those that are similar in concentration to some conventional medicines to very high dilutions containing no material trace of the starting substance – the latter are referred to as ‘ultra-molecular’ dilutions. Vigorous shaking of the solution together with impact or ‘elastic collision’ (known as succussion) during the manufacturing process is a key element in the production of homeopathic medicines.

Long Live Hahnemannian Thought !!

I’M ALRIGHT SO FAR!!

Once there was a great king who asked his magician to find him a courageous man for a dangerous mission. After a long search, the magician brought four men before his master. The king, wishing to choose the most courageous of the four, asked the magician to arrange a test.

The king, the magician and the four men went to the edge of a large field, on the other side of which stood a barn. The magician gave instructions: “Each man shall have his turn. He is to walk to the barn and bring forth what is there inside.”

The first man walked across the field. Suddenly a storm came up: lightning flashed, thunder rolled, the ground shook. The man hesitated. He was frightened. As the storm increased, he fell down in fear.

The second man walked across the field. The storm grew worse, until it was a tempest. The second man passed the first man, but finally he also fell down.

The third man started with a rush, and passed the other two. But the heavens opened, the ground split, and the barn itself waved and cracked. The third man fell down.

The fourth started slowly. He felt his footing. His face was white with fear. But he was more afraid of being thought afraid than of anything else. Slowly he passed the first man, and he said, to himself, “I’m alright — so far.” Foot by foot he went on until he had passed the second man, and again he said to himself, “So far I’m alright.” Little by little he closed the gap between him and the third man, while the storm got worse. When he passed the third frightened man he said to himself, “So far I’m alright. Nothing has happened to me. I can go a little farther.” So little by little, an inch at a time now, he went towards the barn. He got there at last, and just before he touched the latch he said, “So far I’m alright. I can go a little farther.” Then he put his hand on the latch.

Instantly the storm ceased, the ground was steady, and the sun shone. The man was astonished.

From inside the barn came a munching sound. For a moment he thought it might be a trick. Then he thought, “I’m still alright,” and opened the door. Inside he found a white horse eating oats. Nearby was a suit of white armour. The man put it on, saddled the horse, rode out to the king and the magician, and said, “I am ready, Sire.”

“How do you feel?” asked the king.

“I’m alright so far,” the man said.

Osho – Divine Melody

Perspective

Rabbi Isadore was a wise teacher. 
A student asked, "How is one to know the precise time when night ends and day begins?" 
One student volunteered, "It is when one can distinguish between a dog and a sheep in the far distance, that is when day begins." 
Another said, "It is when you can tell the difference between a fig tree and a date tree, then night is fully gone." 
"No, it is neither of those things," said the Rabbi. "It is when you can see your brother or sister in the face of a stranger. Until then, night is still with us."

Worthy Successor

The Zen master Mu-nan had only one successor. His name was Shoju. 
After Shoju had completed his study of Zen, Mu-nan called him into his room. "I am getting old," he said, "and as far as I know, Shoju, you are the only one who will carry on this teaching. 

Here is a book. It has been passed down from master to master for seven generations. I have also added many points according to my understanding. The book is very valuable, and I am giving it to you to represent your successor-ship."

"If the book is such an important thing, you had better keep it," Shoju replied. "I received your Zen without writing and am satisfied with it as it is."

"I know that," said Mu-nan. "Even so, this work has been carried from master to master for seven generations, so you may keep it as a symbol of having received the teaching. Here."
They happened to be talking before a brazier.
The instant Shoju felt the book in his hands he thrust it into the flaming coals. He had no lust for possessions.
Mu-nan, who never had been angry before, yelled: "What are you doing!" Shoju shouted back: "What are you saying!"

Prayer

A farmer requested a Tendai priest to recite sutras for his wife, who had died. After the recitation was over the farmer asked: "Do you think my wife will gain merit from this?"
"Not only your wife, but all sentient beings will benefit from the recitation of sutras," answered the priest.
"If you say all sentient beings will benefit," said the farmer, "my wife may be very weak and others will take advantage of her, getting the benefit she should have. So please recite sutras just for her."
The priest explained that it was the desire of the farmer to offer blessings and wish merit for every living being.
"That is a fine teaching," concluded the farmer, "but please make one exception. I have a neighbor who is rough and mean to me. Just exclude him from all those sentient beings."

Search !!

             There is a mountain, far beyond the plains and hills, whose great                            summit overlooks the dark valley and the open seas. 
           Neither cloud nor deep mists ever hide its calm face. It is above the                      shadows of day and night.
           From the vast plain, no man can behold it. 
           Some have seen it but there be few that have reached its feet. 
           One in many thousand years gathers his strength and gains that abode                  of eternity. 
           I speak of that mountain top, serene, infinite, beyond thought.
           I shout for joy!  

One day, a man beheld through the opening of a cloud, the calm face of the mountain. He stopped every passer-by, that would stay to give an answer, and inquired of the way that would lead him beyond the mists. 
Some said take this path, and others said take that path. 

After many days of confusion and toil, he arrived among the hills. A man, full in years, wise in the ways of the hills, said, "I know the way. You cannot reach the mountain, O friend, unless you are strengthened by the power that comes from the adoration of the image in yonder shrine."
Many days passed in peaceful worship. 

Tired of worship, he asked of men that seemed great with understanding.
"Yea," said one, "I know the way. But if you would gain the fulfillment of your desire, carry this on you. It will uphold you in your weariness." He gave him the symbol of his struggle. 
Another cried, "Yea, I know the way. But many days of contemplation must be passed in the seclusion of a sanctuary, with my picture of eternity."
 "I know the way," said another, "But you must perform these rites, understand these hidden laws, you must enter the association of the elect and hold fast to the knowledge that we shall give you."
"Be loud in the song of praise of the reflection that you seek," said another. 
"Come, follow me, obeying all things I say. I know the way," cried another.

Eventually, the calm face of the mountain was utterly forgotten.
Now he wanders from hill to hill, crying aloud, "Yes, I know the way, but..."  

          There is a mountain, far beyond the plains and hills, whose great                            summit overlooks the dark valley and the open seas. 
           Neither cloud nor deep mists ever hide its calm face. It is above the                      shadows of day and night.
           From the vast plain, no man can behold it. 
           Some have seen it but there be few that have reached its feet. 
           One in many thousand years gathers his strength and gains that abode                  of eternity. 
           I speak of that mountain top, serene, infinite, beyond thought.
           I shout for joy!  
   

J. Krishnamurti