Great, great writing. And it's so funny how ideas can circle around in a synchronistic kind of way—for me right now it's "beginner's mind". I've never read Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, but even before reading your post I was getting the impression I was going to have to buy it because that concept has been popping up in various ways recently. A counsellor once told me "it's okay not to know the answer right now" and that really stuck with me. Right—I was desperate for answers—but it was okay not to know. It's always okay not to know.
For me, it's been that Rilke quote. First my Zen teacher said something similar about living the question, and then I immediately afterwards encountered that quote and now it keeps after me everywhere I go! It's funny how that happens. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is a perennial favourite of mine, I read it once a year or so as part of my study and practice.
Quite fine. I think I probably still have on my shelf books I read in my twenties such as Tao Te Ching (I think that one's still there) and anything I could get my hands on that had to do with Zen, Taoism, Buddhism... you name it. I have no memory of what led me to these things and I probably absorbed very little of it. But I was drawn to it.
I enjoy reading your blog. I was just lent the book Braiding Sweetgrass. I enjoyed her earlier book on mosses. I love the Rilke quote. I have a book of some of his essays titled On Love and Other Difficulties- it is one of my favourite books. I will have to try the cashew recipe.
Great, great writing. And it's so funny how ideas can circle around in a synchronistic kind of way—for me right now it's "beginner's mind". I've never read Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, but even before reading your post I was getting the impression I was going to have to buy it because that concept has been popping up in various ways recently. A counsellor once told me "it's okay not to know the answer right now" and that really stuck with me. Right—I was desperate for answers—but it was okay not to know. It's always okay not to know.
For me, it's been that Rilke quote. First my Zen teacher said something similar about living the question, and then I immediately afterwards encountered that quote and now it keeps after me everywhere I go! It's funny how that happens. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is a perennial favourite of mine, I read it once a year or so as part of my study and practice.
Okay, okay, I'll buy it! 😅 And yes, the Rilke quote is wonderful as well. I need all the help I can get right now.
It's one long koan, so keep that in mind in terms of approach!
Quite fine. I think I probably still have on my shelf books I read in my twenties such as Tao Te Ching (I think that one's still there) and anything I could get my hands on that had to do with Zen, Taoism, Buddhism... you name it. I have no memory of what led me to these things and I probably absorbed very little of it. But I was drawn to it.
An enjoyable read, as always Megan.
Joyce Babula
Hmmm... I have cashews.
I love that Rilke quote, although I still very impatiently want answers. Sigh.
Beautiful, resonant issue, Megan—and garnished with spiced cashews, no less!
Thank-you so much - I had to break the dry spell and get something out there. The cashews are really good.
I enjoy reading your blog. I was just lent the book Braiding Sweetgrass. I enjoyed her earlier book on mosses. I love the Rilke quote. I have a book of some of his essays titled On Love and Other Difficulties- it is one of my favourite books. I will have to try the cashew recipe.