Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with zen

Is there an Instapaper for feed aggregation?

Orchestra — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:26:14 -0800

I'm looking for a very simple rss updater to replace Rososo. Any suggestions? It looks like my rss updater of choice, Rososo, might be permanently out of order. This bums me out as it's just about the perfect fit for my needs and aesthetic preferences. Much like Instapaper, another can't-do-without favourite, it has a zen-like vibe of doing one thing really well and looking as simple as possible while doing it.

What I need is a robust (little downtime) and easy-to-use service for keeping an eye on my twenty or so favourite blogs and other sites. I like to read my articles on-site, not through a reader interface, so I'm therefore not looking for Google Reader, I think. Firefox extensions and the like are out as I often use different computers and browsers throughout the day.

Also, I want to be able to follow any feed and not just those that are already submitted to the service (like Bloglovin or Bloglines). Some of my feeds belong to sites written in languages other than English and others I'm just not comfortable adding to a public index (personal Livejournals and the like).

Is there anything out there for me?

Simple bed frame or alternative to frame altogether?

bradly — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:17:43 -0800

I'm looking for a minimalist/possibly nontraditional bed frame that won't throw off the zen of my bedroom. What options do I have? So I just redesigned my room, and the bed frame is the final battle to be fought.

I'm looking for something simple that draws as little attention as possible while raising the mattress off of the ground.

I can buy materials, or even a manufactured bed frame (If so, budget is preferably <$100).

More details: The bed is twin sized and the mattress is of questionable quality (read: the 'frame' doesn't need to promote long term mattress health). Paint is light blue and I am male.

Thanks!

How to become a Buddhist Monk

DetonatedManiac — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:44:43 -0800

I want to become a Buddhist monk at some point in my life and live out my days in a authentic monastery, preferably in a traditionally Buddhist country. Please advise. I have studied Buddhism academically and know the essential premises common to all the Buddhist tradition from a lay person perspective. I know Buddhism teaches, in a nut shell, that we are all living in Samsara and destined to eternal rebirth in suffering and delusion. The origin of this suffering is attachment and craving, but through giving up our attachment and the 8 fold path we can attain liberation. I know there are roughly 3 basic branches Theravada (crudely "lesser vehicle"), Mahayana ("Great Vehicle", including zen), and Vajrayana (Tibetan etc).

The more I live and experience the more a path of renunciation and abandoning the home life seems the correct path (even if I may be too frail and inculcated in materialism to ultimately follow that path). The Buddhist Dharma appears from my (admittedly limited) understanding to be ultimately true and I want to deepen my understanding of that truth.

I know this will be a years / decades long journey simply to find the correct teacher, let alone be accepted, let alone travel to another country/learn another language and become a monk etc.

And I also know that more than likely this amorphous dream will remain just that. But even still I would like to have a plan in place that can move me closer to that ultimate goal in a reasonable way. Perhaps I will not abandon my life such as it is now, but perhaps I will and I want to be prepared so that I can make that jump. And even if I don't, perhaps I can find an authentic Buddhist Sangha here that can deepen my insights and perhaps put me on the path to liberation despite the material culture we are surrounded by.

HIVE MIND:

What I don't know is how to decide which tradition to join, and how to become a part of a legitimate lineage in the Buddhist Tradition. All of the so called Buddhist "temples" I have seen in the US (admittedly not that many due to a scarcity of options) seem at best watered down "New Agey" and at worst borderline cult of personality or profit motivated. Not the places where the essence of the Buddhist texts I have read is taught, practiced and nourished, at least not in a very effective way.

So I guess my immediate question is where can I find a Buddhist temple linked to a legitimate traditional lineage, preferably one that would be open to admitting a Mid 20's Anglo like myself and be within driving distance of Raleigh NC, but not be watered down and "Americanized"?

Barring that, where can I find a temple, even without any strong native cultural roots, near said location that will deepen my understanding Buddhism and not lead to new-agey tangents or dead ends, or worse, some sort of cult?

More broadly, which branch should I follow? I see aspects of all 3 that are appealing and seem like effective paths to enlightenment. Theravada is of course the oldest and most venerated, but the Mahayana idea of attaining the selfless bodhisattva ideal, enlightenment for all, seems a much nobler goal and less secluded. Finally, the esoteric teachings and metaphysics of Vajrayana fascinate me, and the expedited path to enlightenment is a plus; as well (as superficial a consideration as this is) I feel a strong pull to Nepal, the foot of the Himalayas (it is silly I know, but motivates me none the less).

I should note, I strongly believe that all three Buddhist traditions, properly practiced, are true teachings and effective paths to enlightenment. But I know the Buddha said "Follow that path that you will get the most out of" (or something to that effect), so that is what I am pondering over.

The real tie breaker is which tradition is likely to accept me, and also which one I can start building inroads to now in my "normal" American life. A final consideration is the political situation. Some of these countries, like Burma and Sri Lanka etc do not have the most stable and western friendly regimes.

But it is not a race or a competition, I lay those out merely as unfortunately practical considerations. I welcome and appreciate any other thoughts or considerations you might be able to add.

Schools of Meditation

Picklegnome — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:51:44 -0800

What are the differences between Zen and Vipassana meditation? I'm interested mostly in the practices, foci, goals, etc., rather than the history or cultural background.

popular songs with Zen/Buddhist themes?

desjardins — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:37:31 -0800

I want to find popular songs with Zen/Buddhist themes, such as living in the moment, rejecting materialism, desire as suffering, non-attachment as freedom. The artists themselves need not be Buddhist and the entire song doesn't have to have a consistent theme. I know I'm using a loose interpretation of Buddhism. Any genre is fine; prefer pop/hip-hop. No chanting. Excerpted examples inside. [bold parts are most resonant to me]
There's Gotta be More to Life by Stacie Orrico (yes I'm aware that she's a Christian pop singer but the theme fits) (complete lyrics here)

I've got the time and I'm wasting it slowly
Here in this moment I'm half way out the door
Onto the next thing, I'm searching for something that's missing
--------------------------------------------------
I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (full lyrics here)

Well open up your mind and see like me
open up your plans and damn you're free
look into your heart and you'll find love love love
[...]
I guess what I'm a sayin' is there ain't no better reason
to rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
it's what we aim to do
our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
it cannot wait, i'm sure
there's no need to complicate
our time is short
---------------------------------------
Little Wonders by Rob Thomas (complete lyrics here)

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And i don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Tao, thinking, and problem solving

crapmatic — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:04:16 -0800

What exists out there that discusses Tao not in the context of self-help or meditation but rather how its philosophies bear on practical aspects of art, scientific thinking, skills requiring concentration, etc? Case in point: it encourages an open mind and total awareness. I've read a good part of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance but it seems that's more about our relationship to technology. Related non-Tao items of interest are fine.

The Zen Master and the Sweeping Up

tingting — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:59:25 -0800

I read a Zen story years ago at a meditation center library. Can't remember the book/author. (might have had a quirky title? perhaps written by a contemporary Zen master?). The part I remember was about how to sweep and the uses of all the swept-up "trash"... Details: A novice is waiting a long time to gain admittance to the monastery. He is eventually let in and given a job sweeping (and/or kitchen work?). An older monk points out that he is doing it wrong! Actually there is no "trash". Every bit of the sweeping-up is useful. Twigs to kindle the fire, the compost, etc.

does anything strike the ol' bell?

many thanks, hivemind!

Zafu shopping in Toronto

mendel — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:56:47 -0800

I'd like to get a zafu and zabuton^[?] for meditation, but I'd like to actually sit on a couple to find out what I find comfortable. Where can I try out and buy a zafu and zabuton, in person, in or near Toronto?

zen and the art of hiding my fat butt

Kellydamnit — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:35:51 -0800

What should I wear to meditation? So, here's my dilemma. I have very few articles of clothing suited to meditate in. (in a formal group setting. I wear PJs at home). I'm almost always in skirts or dresses (hard to kill the inner goth), and own like three pairs of pants. I tend to feel grotesquely uncomfortable in pants as it is, mostly because I'm overweight and I feel like they draw a lot of attention to my worst areas. But, I want to be unable to sit or do the prostrations without, you know, flashing people.

So would it be oddball to wear, say, fitted yoga pants and make a knee-length skirt of similar material over it? I figure that way I won't spend my hour sitting there thinking about how uncomfortable I am and how fat my thighs are. But I don't want to look like I just got off the bus from crazytown, either.

It isn't about wanting to look cute or whatever. Most of the people in the group are a good chunk older than me, and it's not all perfect yoga bodies. I just want to be able to sit down in a half lotus without my own body issues messing with me.

Any other suggestions for what a chubby hourglass shaped gal can wear to meditate?

Learning to love solitude

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:34:24 -0800

How do I learn to enjoy being alone after a recent separation? My husband - of nearly ten years - and I recently separated (his idea, though it was needed). He moved in with his parents two months ago, and I'm living alone in our big, empty house while we try to sort things out. We have no children, and still speak/see each other on a regular basis.

I've never lived alone. I jumped from my parents' home to roommates to living with my husband almost immediately after we first started dating. I've been in constant relationships since I was 16 (now in my early 30s).

I'm dealing with some ugly grief and despair from the separation, but I'd like to take this time to learn how to comfortably be alone. I'm not a needy person by any means - I enjoy time alone, and while I have a lot of friends, I tend to go long stretches where I spend weekends curled up with a book. However, I've always done these things in the context of another person being around. Introvertism is a different animal when you're truly by yourself!

I keep myself busy during the day (I love my job). I see friends. I have animals and a therapist. I exercise and eat well. But I find myself panicking when I don't have plans and the long, long night stretches out before me. I watch TV; I read; I clean; I plan projects; I meditate, but I can't shake the despair of - oh, God, I'm going to be agonizingly alone forever. I start to make bad decisions, like calling my husband for comfort. (Which he doesn't take well.) I cry, a lot. A lot.

Does this go away? The existential despair? What do you do on those planless nights? How do I convince my mate-for-life brain that being by myself doesn't have to be terrifying? Though there's a possibility my husband and I will get back together, I need to proceed as if that isn't the case. (Cutting off contact will be the first big step, but I'm not ready for that yet. Working on it.) How do I shift into a single mindset? (I'm not even close to wanting to date or even have a fling.)

If it matters, I do have a long, long history of anxiety/depression (hospitals, therapists galore, you name it). However, I finally got a handle on that in the last few years and have been better than ever this year. But stress will trot out the old, panicky thought patterns.

(Also of note: while I love my job, it doesn't pay much and requires me be in the area until the end of the year, so I don't have funds/means to travel at the moment.)

Thanks for any advice you have. If you have questions, you can e-mail me at mefilearning2008@gmail.com

How does somebody become a Zen Master?

TigerCrane — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:44:24 -0800

What is the certification process for a "Zen Master" and a Zen "Priest"? I understand that a Zen Master is different from a Zen priest, right?

How does somebody attain these titles?

Does a priest go to a Zen seminary? Is it an academic degree like a rabbinate? Are Zen priests professional clergy, or do they generally hold day jobs?

Does the title of Zen Master mean that the holder of the title is Enlightened? Who confers the title?

Zen and the art of Zen

Roman Graves — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:40:15 -0800

Help me continue my Zen education. I recently finished Hardcore Zen and it really struck a nerve in ways that other books on the topic have not. I'm looking for suggestions on continued reading. I noticed the "If you liked Hardcore Zen..." section in the back of the book, but I wasn't sure if any of those were worth anything or just a publisher's list.

Least incensiest incense ever?

sneakin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:09:41 -0800

What's that incense I've smelled at Zen centers and where can I find it? When I've been in Korean Zen centers or meditation areas used by Zen practitioners, there's been incense on the altar that has a very subtle aroma. It's not terribly fragrant or remotely perfume-y. It's extremely mild. They're usually shorter sticks than your regular incense and I think they might be a Japanese brand.

I've googled around and found different kinds associated with meditation but I want to be sure I'm getting something not so aromatic that's it's distracting before I bite the bullet and buy. Brands, names, and links are awesome and appreciated. Thank you!

Should you judge a religious community based on its leader?

desjardins — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:52:43 -0800

How can you trust a temple/church/etc if its leader has had moral failings? I've been a (barely-practicing) Buddhist for a few years now, and I'm getting my ass in gear and looking for a sangha (community/congregation). This place is the closest to me, and their tradition (Soto Zen) is in line with my beliefs. However, the roshi (teacher/priest) was trained by Taizan Maezumi Roshi, who founded the Zen Center of Los Angeles. Maezumi endured considerable controversy after he went into rehab for alcoholism (drinking is verboten in Buddhism) and admitted to affairs with students (besides abusing his authority, he was also married). He ended up drinking himself to death. Lineage is an important concept in Buddhism, as knowledge is handed down from teacher to student. I'm not casting any aspersions on the roshi at Great Plains Zen Center, or on any of its members, but the whole thing just leaves a weird taste in my mouth. Other Zen centers in the West have been plagued by similar scandal and I'm wondering if any have gone untouched.

I am not claiming to be any sort of saint myself - previous posts are evidence of that - but I do like to think that someone who is teaching me holds themselves to a higher standard than I do myself. And hopefully has better grammar skills.

Given that I do want to find a community with which to practice, should I give up the notion of moral standards in religious leadership? If so, how do I make this mental shift?

Defining the Japanese Concept of 'Ma'

0bvious — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:36:20 -0800

What do you know about the Japanese word/concept of 'Ma'? I know it denotes the negative space between objects and it relates closely to the similarly used Japanese word 'Mu'. Since there is no Wikipedia entry for 'Ma' I have started it myself. Feel free to add to it. I will eventually compile any information I find and add it to the page. I would ideally love to find the Kanji for the word and any references defining it (whether on the internet or in books etc).

Thanks

Wanted: One AC adapter

punishinglemur — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:34:07 -0800

I recently lost the power adapter for my olde tyme Creative Nomad Zen NX. I'd like to just drive down to RadioShack and get a replacement, but I'm not sure what I need. The Nomad wants 5V, but it looks like RadioShack's adapters skip from 4.5V to 6V. Will I kill my player if I use one of those options?

a few creative zen vision:m questions

illegiblemess — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:12:45 -0800

i am looking for a new mp3 player, have narrowed it down to the ipod vs creative zen vision:m, but i have a few specific questions about the creative zen first I don't really have any ipod questions because my boyfriend has one that i can test out. that said, my creative zen quesitons are:

1. random - i know there is an "album of the day" and a "random all" feature, but can you do random within an album, or within the on the go playlist you create, or anything else?

2. camera image transfer - the 60GB version lets you directly transfer images from your camera to it, which is a big selling point, but they only list a few cameras on their website that they tested with. has anyone used this feature with the canon rebel xti?

thanks for your help!

These go to eleven...

disillusioned — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:13:32 -0800

Does listening to an MP3 player at a higher volume significantly increase the rate at which its battery drains? I suppose there are two (elementary) ways of thinking about this: A basic volume dial is a potentiometer—the signal is at full strength from its source, and you're merely adding resistance when you "turn it down."

But, I have no idea how the volume controls on either say, an ipod or my Creative Zen Vision work, given that it is accessed digitally. For these players, is it altering the strength of the output signal at the point where it is being generated? Or is it a digital control to an analog potentiometer? (I also know little about the nature of a simple stereo signal itself...)

Even if it were, would the difference in battery life be at all significant? (Would I be able to eek another 20 minutes out of my player by turning it on its lowest volume and using my car's amp to push it out at a "reasonable volume"?)

Much obliged!

non-zen zen-ness: oh heck

soviet sleepover — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:44:17 -0800

I just got a new Creative Zen Nano Plus 1gb mp3 player as a surprise gift from a friend. The trick is that I'm a Mac user, and by all official accounts the two are incompatible. Help, please. No amount of googling seems to turn up info on hacks/workarounds that make it Mac-compatible, though I did find a mention (as part of a review on amazon.com) of someone using the 512mb player with iTunes on a Mac. When I connect this one to my computer neither one recognizes the other. I'm not exceptionally tech-savvy so I wonder if there's something crucial I'm missing.

Forever and now in ink on skin

Kickstart70 — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:10:57 -0800

Tattoo planning: I'm looking for related symbols (by meaning, not appearance) of the lemniscate, enso, ouroboros, and apparently whatever the symbol between the buddha's eyes is called. Apparently they've got somewhat related meanings...the infinite, oneness of everything, etc. What other symbols are there?

If it helps with suggestions, I'm looking for something that brings in my love of the concept of infinity, the changes in my mind that accompanied learning about Zen buddhism, and my extreme computer-geek nature.

How do I choose a Zen variety?

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 23:04:53 -0800

I want to learn about Zen. How do I choose a Zen variety? There are two Zen centers in this town, one Kwan Um (Seung Sah), the other Soto (Kaisen). Also, there's a Diamond Way Buddhism Center (Karma Kagyu), though I guess that's not Zen. (But for all I know, it is. As I said, I want to learn about Zen; I didn't say I know anything about it now.)

So if I want practical experience, it's going to have to be one of the above, but if you've got anything to say about other varieties, I'd be glad to hear it. The only people I run into around here who know anything about Zen are practitioners at one of the centers, and they are of course biased for their centers.

crackle buzz buzz

jennyjenny — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 13:22:51 -0800

Is there a way to fix a crackly-headphones problem that I always always have with walkmen and mp3 players? I have a creative zen micro mp3 player. If I jostle or jiggle the part where the headphone cord plugs in to the device, half the sound cuts out. I replaced the headphones twice and have the same problem, so I'm pretty sure the problem is with the player. Is there any way to fix this? I've had the same problem with walkmen, but I always assumed it was a headphone issue. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Meaning of 'moment of zen'?

chrismear — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 16:45:07 -0800

What is a 'moment of (something) zen'? I keep seeing this (on blogs in particular) and I don't know what it means. I must have missed the memo. On BoingBoing, Xeni Jardin seems to use it on practically every other post, but there are plenty of other examples. From the context, it usually just seems to mean 'a neat thing that happened' or 'a neat thing that I found'.

Is that really all it is? Is it actually anything to do with Zen? I've only ever seen it on the internets -- is it from somewhere else? It's really bugging me...