wfs@we13.UUCP (05/27/83)
Relay-Version:version B 2.10 5/3/83; site mhuxt.UUCP
Posting-Version:version B 2.10 5/3/83; site we13.UUCP
Message-ID:<501@we13.UUCP>
Date:Fri, 27-May-83 11:35:31 EDT
Organization:Western Electric - Montgomery Illinois
Zen and Intuitive Reponse(Part 2)
The quality of life that you become innerly attuned with, the
indefinable force that permeates all existence, is the tao. The tao
is the way of all things, ultimate reality, ever present and ever
manifest-but only for that part of consciousness that doesn't look for
it. Because the tao loses its essence, its flavor and aroma, its
appealing quality when consciousness tries to capture and make it an
object of the rationalizing mind. This is why Zen decrys terms,
symbols, wordy definitions, and the consequent intellectual search for
the "meaning of life" as futile attempts-like trying to outrun your
own shadow, bite your teeth, or smell your nose: attempts distracting
and ultimately frustrating.
There are ways but the way is uncharted;
There are names but not nature in words;
Nameless indeed is the source of creation,
But things have a mother and she has a name.
The secret waits for the insight
Of eyes unclouded by longing;
Those who are bound by desire,
See only the outward container.....
Lao Tzu
Zen calls for the primacy of intuition and instinct over reason and
logic in matters too tenuous for words or too exigent for the
intellect. The tao which cannot be perceived through conventional
modes of rational inspection of scientific inquiry is available to
consciousness, but only on an intuitive level, not as an object of
rational thought. In such a sense Zen might be discribed as the
"Radical intuitionism" of William Barret in Selected Writings in Zen
Buddhism. "Radical intuitionism means that Zen holds that thinking and
sensing live, move, and have their being within the vital medium of
intuition". Zen wants to show that our spontaneous movement into each
moment is basically guided by our intuitive consciousness. (cont'd.
in part 3)wfs@mgweed.UUCP (06/16/83)
Zen and Intuitive Response(Part 3)
Intuition-a direct perception of a truth or fact independent of
reasoning or logistical support, an immediate apprehension of
experience that defies rational inquiry. But because of this
elusiveness from the rational intellect, Western culture has sublimated
instincts and intuitive hunches and encouraged us to disregard them as
too imprecise, abstract and nebulous for our overbearing, rationalizing
intellect. Zen says it is this Western insistence of intellect as the
preferred partner over instinct and intuition that is essentially
responsible for a state of exist- tial paralysis; insofar as
consciousness does not trust its reflexive intuitive responses in those
very instances when they are more reliable and expedient than logistics
or rationalization.
Graduation exercises at the Shaolin Monastery were indicative of the
imphasis put on the intuitive reponse. As part of a student's final
exam, he was required to navigate through a long, dark passageway
strewn with devices and boobytraps arranged to test the student's
intuitive/reflexive reaction. The nature and immediacy of running this
gauntlet left the student little time to plan a defense or apply a
technique.
His only saving grace was how well he was in tune with his inner
feeling and instinctual moves. This exercise conveyed to the student
that reason and logic could not always be depended upon to deliver them
from unfavorable impending circumstances; it is therefore necessary to
cultivate an open consciousness to the inner voice, so that it will
guide and move us when the intellect is stifled......(cont'd. in part
4)