I am two
people. Not of a parallel universe, nor
a radical personality disorder; but a person with a strong Physic background
and a practicing No Bullshit Buddhist.
Physics
describes the world around us with concrete laws backed up by provable experimentation
and mathematics equations. Theoretical Physics
strives to explain why things are as they are, and the logical consequences of
expanding known attributes into the unknown.
Astrophysics attempts to explain the universe; the beginning, the now and
the future of the cosmos.
Buddhism
says it’s all bullshit – it doesn’t matter – the NOW is all we have: how we
live this day, in each moment, in total awareness can bring us peace and
tranquility throughout this short life – and that’s really all
that matters.
Steve Hagen,
a trained Physicist, now a Buddhist priest explores the links between Science,
Philosophy and Perception in his book HOW THE WORLD CAN BE THE WAY IT IS.
Steve Hagen
is the reason I practice my own version of Buddhism today.
My first
interest in Buddhism came after reading THE THREE PILLARS OF ZEN by Roshi
Philip Kapleau in the 1960’s.
Afterwards I read numerous books with esoteric explanations of Buddhism,
many verging on religion and mysticism.
It wasn’t until Steve Hagen’s BUDDHISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE that I was able
to codify a simple (No Bullshit) Buddhist practice that seemed practical and
worthwhile to me.
I am still
awed by Theoretical Physics; but, especially at my age, it is strictly
entertainment. Zen is a way of life.
I have fallen away from my ZEN practice, but now it is time for me to come back.
The
beginning of this new year is a good time to explore ZEN as a more
peaceful and conscious way to live.
If you are
interested, I recommend starting with Buddhism Plain and Simple. I will also post a series of earlier blog
post I have done over the years. My
particular Buddhist practice is personal, and I feel each person should develop
their own – or not. There are Buddhist Sangha
in almost every state for more formal Buddhist training.
And, of
course, you don’t need Buddhism or religions to live a good life and be a good
person.
the Ol’Buzzard
