Being about as lay a practitioner as they come, I accept there are additional truths to be found once you transcend the so-called ‘entry truths’ or conditional ‘mumonkan’ truths necessary to grasp higher levels of understanding, but many present practices are completely in opposition to accepted understandings of his teachings, such as in Rinzai Zen (my line), where killing is acceptable. Perhaps this just reflects my layman’s grasp of that Way, but it seems many present lines of Buddhism have evolved to make acceptable things that directly oppose the Eightfold Path. It’s in those circumstances I try to use my intelligence and re-examine the teachings of both ways, to find a solution. It can be dangerous to practice without a sangha, as many psychopaths have demonstrated with demented and distorted dogma from their traditions, but it also avoids blind piety and stagnation, when your tanden tightens up at some crossroads in the future.

One of the Buddha’s many teachings, is to light your own lamp. I never grew up indoctrinized by childhood piety to Buddhism (which for me would’ve been Joudoushuu or Nichiren Buddhism), but found solace in adulthood with Thich Nhat Hanh’s Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, and Anger, with its clarity, calmness, and lack of dogma. Anger esp, as it’s a facet of my personality that’s causing me much suffering.

I’ve never become part of a sangha (except the short time in cloister), just for the reason in the first paragraph. It’s frustrating. But Zen seems to resonate with me quite a bit more strongly than others, so that’s the path I choose. However, I’ve not restricted myself to the truths in only one line. If I learn the truth if it, it becomes my teaching.

Mindfulness is something one should practice as a routine, like brushing your teeth, and there doesn’t even need to be mantra recited during it. Just pay attention to what you’re feeling…

BTW… it’s getting cold on Bainbridge, brr!

Paula: Yes, I really wish Confucius talked more about advice for women, but frankly there’s practically nothing there, not even anything sexist or misogynistic. His disciples were all men (being the culture at the time), and thus his advice was for a male-audience only. Still, I think most of it is practical to people in general, and probably why Confucian teachings have endured so well across the ages.

Bluewhitegreenred: It should be noted though that in Prof. Muller’s translation, mindful isn’t explicitly used, so that may simply be translator’s disgression. I am not sure. :-/ But awareness in general is about the best thing one can do for their lives.

Yrene: Glad to be of help.