Fragmentation

I feel strongly in repeatedly sharing the point that the word "Zen," can be translated as "Unification." This is a deeply critical point, because as Zen is typically defined, people associate it with "meditation." Whereas the point of meditation is contemplation and think, think, thinking... Zen is working with the mind in such a way so to move past thinking, towards something else altogether.

My teacher, Genjo Marinello Osho has called it "Zero," or "The One who is shining alone," or the more familiar term, "Buddha," (Awakened Mind). No matter what you call it, there is the denoting that It is seamless... not fragmented.

For myself, I can intuitively relate to the principle of being seamless or unfragmented. On the other side of the coin, I know it can be very difficult to think, feel and act in a way that is undivided. We have a lot of things tugging, pushing and pulling us, on a daily, moment-to-moment basis. This is the reason for Zen practice... We can resolve the fragmentation, by the cultivation of as Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede "One pointed, undivided, stabilized mind," breath by breath.

While I find that there's no need to be so-called "Perfect," in getting results (that can be a rather dubious notion), relentless effort and determination is extremely important.

In our daily efforts, we can come by mental fragmentation pretty easily. We generally have information overload with numerous people, places and things, vying for our attention. There's always the unexpected event or problem that we were not looking for or expecting. There are the demands and expectations of others that may or may-not be entirely realistic. Rather than feeling seamless, our moments can feel more disjointed and fractured than anything else. Sometimes the result is to settle and "just get by," before we answer to the next thing calling our attention. Fragment, fragment, fragment.

The more fragmented we become the more "greed, anger, depression, frustration, anxiety, low self-esteem and delusion" we experience. We can become so overwhelmed, we are not quite sure where, when or how to prioritize and begin dissolving the fragmentation. But as John Cage once said, "Begin anywhere."

One of my twitter friends, Marguerite Manteai-Rao who practices insight meditation and is a Hospice volunteer, recently made several posts, with regard to taking a vow to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness... attentiveness... paying attention... The commitment to be present is an excellent way to reduce and dissolve fragmentation.

The posture that we take up in Zazen (Sitting in unification), counting the breath, following the breath, working on our koan, directing... focusing mind, working with a authentic teacher can and will help us. We can and will come to a place where at times we will think, feel, speak, hear and be without fragmentation. The truth tends to be very simple. In mindfulness, fragmentation is not necessary. If we get stuck in ego however, fragmentation is 100% necessary.

As we reduce the fragmentation, it could be useful to remember that this is mostly process, rather than event. It takes effort and time. Remember that Buddha, Bodhidharma and most others spent years practicing before attaining clear realization and de-fragmentation. Consider this and practice well.

Yours In Zen,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Comments

[happyseaurchin]

interesting that your teacher uses ZERO

i have come up with a link between buddhism and maths
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/xq-solution/5467448
and i am looking for a monk who might be able to...
attend to the link :)

be well!
david

[jayeZERO]

Genjo Osho once asked, "How many zero's go into one?" After a moment he said, "The calculator goes err."

When he put the moment in that way, It was as if he took us to the very top of Mount Rainer, showing the vista, never seen before. It was stunning. It really shook me to the core. I was genuinely humbled and grateful for his caring nature.

In Gassho,

~Seiho

[Marguerite Manteau-Rao]

Thanks Seiho, for the gift of your friendship and appreciation. The way I understand it, mindfulness is as simple as developing the mind muscle of awareness, and concentration. No practice, little mindfulness. Lots of continuous practice, more chances to become mindful, in a way that benefits us and others.

You are so right about the risk of fragmentation, in the absence of mindfulness. I feel it a lot, and I don't want it anymore. Once, one has tasted of the sweet nectar of mindfulness, one wants more. At least, I do, and I know you do also. Of course, this is a long process, that requires gentleness, patience, self-forgiveness, faith, and fire in the heart . . .

Deep bow,

marguerite

[jayeZERO]

My only suggestion would be to follow the guidance of Pema Chodron, substituting the word "Focus," for "concentration." At least for me, that subtle difference made a rather large psychological impact.

With Gassho,

~Seiho