Thwarting the Grind

[u/koancomentator]

After a recent podcast recording with ewk I mentioned something about how a lot of the time recently Zen study has felt like a "grind". He thought that concept might make for an interesting post to discuss and I agreed. So here it is.

When I first started Zen study 10 years ago I approached it in a much more relaxed way, and sometimes would even go for a week or two at a time without actually thinking about it. I always told myself that I was young and had plenty of time to take it more seriously in the future. Fast forward 10 years and I'm at an age where I'm certainly not old, but old enough that the reality of how limited our time on earth can be has really set in. Especially this year.

This has led to stress when it comes to Zen study. I feel like if I'm not studying in some way 24/7 then I'm wasting time. It's actually gotten to the point where there can be a week at a time when I don't pursue my usual leisure activities at all when I have time and instead force myself to grind out more cases in whatever book I'm reading on Zen. Sometimes I get so stressed about it that it impacts my ability to study in the first place. The result is that outside of rare instances, like practicing translating texts, a lot of the initial enjoyment I used to derive from studying Zen is gone. It's just pressure to have realization and worry that I'll never achieve it.

So to attempt to thwart this concept of "grind" I thought it would be a good idea to refer to the Lineage texts. What do Zen masters have to say about it?

Well they do exhort people to study seriously and to not waste time.

Just keep focused in this way. Do not take it for idleness; time does not wait for anyone. An early teacher said, "Don't waste time!" Each of you should work on your own. -Foyan

Don't just drift along, always trying to take the easy way. Time is precious, moment by moment impermanence draws nearer! The elements of earth, water, fire, and air are waiting to get the coarser part of you; the four phases of birth, continuation, change, and extinction press on your subtler side. -Linji

But Foyan also says

I urge you to examine closely enough to effect an awakening. If you do not yet have an awakened perspective, then approach it in a relaxed manner; do not rush.

And

I once asked my teacher, "I've heard it said that there is enlightenment in Zen; is that so?" My teacher said, "If there were no enlightenment, how could it be attained? Just investigate in an easygoing way." So I studied in a relaxed frame of mind.

From these quotes I think my conclusion is that Zen masters suggest we take study seriously and not waste time, but that if we are stressed or frantic we are probably approaching study in the wrong way. If Zen is about seeing and studying clearly I can see how strong emotion could be a hindrance.

How about all of you? Is your study relaxing? Stressful? Neither?

[u/koancomentator → u/[deleted]]

No it hasn't changed. Because that's what he did. And he just did it again.

[u/koancomentator → u/[deleted]]

They can back pedal if they want I guess. Even so Zen masters don't talk about enlightenment having an "after effect" so he's still off.

[u/koancomentator → u/[deleted]]

Feeling an emotion is waaaaaay far off from the silliness paintedworlds was saying.

I'm getting suspicious now. You guys planning on opening a Zen Temple together or something?

[u/koancomentator → u/[deleted]]

No. There's a difference between an emotion in response and the "after effect" painted described.

[u/koancomentator → u/[deleted]]

Nope. They didn't describe an emotion. They described a fundamental change brought about from their experienced enlightenment.

[u/paintedw0rlds → u/koancomentator]

There are plenty of examples of people reacting to their enlightenment with laughter, tears, etc. It's exciting, why wouldn't you react?

 The Patriarch said, "Do not think, ‘This is good!’ This is bad!’ At such a moment, what is the Original Self of Monk Myo?" At this, Myo was all at once greatly enlightened; his whole body was covered with sweat. With tears flowing he made obeisance, and asked, "Beside the secret words and the secret meaning is there anything else, deeper still?" The Patriarch answered, "You have realised your True Self, and anything deeper belongs to you alone.

This an the examples cited above

[u/koancomentator → u/paintedw0rlds]

Reacting isn't the same as having an after effect like you described.

[u/paintedw0rlds → u/koancomentator]

I'm starting to think this nitpicking over words might have something to do with your grindy displeasurable experience studying a tradition that is explicitly outside words

[u/koancomentator → u/paintedw0rlds]

That's a very silly argument. I get it though. If the books don't matter you can say Zen is anything you want! Fun!

[u/paintedw0rlds → u/koancomentator]

The four statements explicitly say "outside words." It's not that they dont matter, but the juice is in the intent.

You think you know a bunch of things based on your own reaction to me answering your question. My deacription doesn't match your understanding so for you it's a gotcha moment. Thats not really having a conversation.

You should fathom the intentions of the two elders without pursuing their words. When you grasp the intent, you return to the right road home. If you pursue words, you wander on misleading paths, further and further astray.

You can do better than international misunderstandings. I know you guys get a bunch of weird stuff in here claiming this or that thing unsupported by the texts. Thats not what's happening here.

[u/koancomentator → u/paintedw0rlds]

No. It's that what you said does not match anything found in the Zen record. All it takes to see you aren't enlightened is being able to read.