A Conspiracy Theory

There are four facts of the human condition that conspire against us and that threaten to enslave our minds and our hearts.

1. Ignorance of the true meaning of our existence
2. The delusion of psychological time
3. The belief that we are separate from the experience
4. A form of amnesia that leaves us vulnerable to repeating past mistakes 

I will explain each in turn.

Ignorance of the true meaning of our existence

Such ignorance obscures the ultimate meaning of our existence. However, to ask what is the meaning of your life is to put your foot into a nihilistic trap as the ultimate meaning cannot be understood by the intellect. In this context, Viktor Frankl speaks of the ultimate meaning of life as so comprehensive that it is incomprehensible.

The correct question to ask oneself is how do I free my mind from confusion so that the question of an ultimate meaning becomes moot?


The delusion of psychological time

Chronological time moves moment to moment. It is directly related to nature. Psychological time, on the other hand, is created by thought. It creates a past and a future that has no direct relationship with reality. It distorts chronological time as though one were looking at reality through a prism.


The belief that we are separate from the experience

It is an unfortunate fact that we are born under the delusion that we exist apart from reality. In our minds, the experiencer and the experience appear to be separate--that is, we imagine that the ego is actually having the experience when it is merely a witness to that experience and an unreliable one at that. In truth, you are the experience.

A form of amnesia that leaves us vulnerable to repeating past mistakes

This particular form of amnesia arises from the fact that memory cannot recreate a past experience in our minds. Consequently, relying on memory as a prescient guide is problematic. See Daniel Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness for a fuller description of memory's peccadilloes.

Universal Knowledge

Love your discontent. Never be satisfied with anything anyone tells you. Be in constant revolt against all that is known. Wait patiently at the door to the unknown.

Do not ask me how to find that door for you already know my answer.

Tongue Tied

Shuzan’s Bamboo Spatula

Master Shuzan held out his bamboo spatula and asked, “If you call this a bamboo spatula, you give umbrage (to the principle of Zen). If you call this no bamboo spatula, you violate the law (of common-sense). What will all of you call this?”


The Commentary

Should you call this a bamboo spatula, you would give umbrage. Should you call this no bamboo spatula, you would betray the law. Both to speak out will not do, and no word will be of any use either. Quickly say, quickly say!


The Verse
Bringing out the bamboo spatula,
Shuzan demanded the order of life or death.
Being put to either the umbrage or the betrayal,
Even Buddha and Patriarchs would beg for their lives.

A Scientific Heresy

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."--Albert Einstein

A Puzzling State of Mind

Joshu asked Nansen, “What is the way?”

Nansen answered, “Your ordinary mind--that is the way.”

Joshu said, “Does it go in any particular direction?"

Nansen replied, “The more you seek after it, the more it runs away.”

Joshu: “Then how can you know it is the way?”

Nansen: “The way does not belong to knowing or not knowing. Knowing is illusion. Not knowing is lack of discrimination. When you get to this perplexed way, it is like the vastness of space, an unfathomable void, so how can it be this or that, yes or no?”

Upon this Joshu came to a sudden realization.

--As translated by R.H. Blyth

Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki reminds us what is true intuitive activity: "So even if the sun were to rise from the west, the Bodhisattva has only one way. His way is in each moment to express his nature and his sincerity."

Unseen Advantage

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”― Groucho Marx

Waste Not

"Up to now in this country we are warned not to waste our time but we are brought up to waste our lives."--Eric Hoffer