The observer is the observed

That the "observer is the observed" - the simplicity of Krishnamurti, as spoken of by another.

 Thanks. Yes, Krishnamurti was a simply guy in that sense. Reading a few biographical tidbits he apparently became a bit "cold" towards others in later days. Who knows? Did he actually realise the "peace that passes understanding"? I think some think that they have, yet often it appears to be the "peace that is all too understandable". The mind becomes satisfied with its definitions and conclusions, passes judgement upon itself that it now rests in "all truth" and, by and large, awaits death to be rewarded.

The "dropping of body and mind" of Dogen suggests that any separation (mind OR body) will slip into dualism where the observer and the observed are no longer "one". Both mind and body must be "healed".

When I spoke of loving the mystery I was speaking in terms of coming to no definitions, no final conclusions, remaining open - never claiming to have "found" and thus congealing into a smug ball of self-satisfaction where others must become our mirror image to be accepted in any truly compassionate way. Leaving such "mystery" I love the words of an old cook who said to Dogen:-

In the whole universe there is nothing that is concealed

Everything is immediately apparent, or as Dogen says:- "We are what we understand".

But such is not a static state - there is "movement toward Buddha".

A friend on the Progessive Christian Forum I sometimes visit likened/compared the old cooks statement to the Pauline "Now we see through a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face." (1 Corinthians)

Obviously there are differences. Between the "apparency" of Now, where "nothing is concealed" and the Pauline implication that it can only be in some afterlife that we shall ever see "face to face".

I remain convinced that ALL can be apparent now. That we can see others face to face, this "within" God (to use the theistic term) Relationship is paramount, the realisation of duality within non-duality. Person to person.

Meister Eckhart:-

“In giving us His love God has given us His Holy Spirit so that we can love Him with the love wherewith He loves Himself. We love God with His own love; awareness of it deifies us.”

D.T. Suzuki quotes this with approval, comparing it with the Prajna wisdom of Zen. (Suzuki, Mysticism: East and West, p. 40)

Anyway, once more I have drifted into rambling waffle. I had no idea or intention of writing so much. I have been drinking a coffee and eating a burger in MacDonald's prior to my four hour stint on the Oxfam tills. I have a few CD's of my own to play, a couple of Dylans - "Blood on the Tracks" and his Bootleg Series Volume 12, drawn from his "Blonde on Blonde" period. Good stuff, but the fast version of "Visions of Johanna" is terrible!

All the best.