Zen and the Economy

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Avi1223

If you folks want to flog me, please, at least use a Zen-like ladle :

Looks pointy!

[Avi]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Looks pointy!

Right, I was being a little grouchy

[Avi]

And this ladle is less pointy :

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Just don't throw the hot coffee at each other--that would be like sinning against the Spirit.

That, I say that, would constitute Original Sin.

s.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

That, I say that, would constitute Original Sin.

s.

Uh-oh! Now who's going to tempt someone into throwing hot coffee?

{I'd better get some ice and aloe vera ready, just in case.}

[DrumR]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Alright, what else does everyone like for breakfast?
I like cold steamed asparagus with mayonnaise.

Cold Steam? Is that like, uh, cold fusion?

Originally Posted by seattlegal

{Hehe! Soon we should have enough food to have a good food fight--err--I mean sectarian war. Just don't throw the hot coffee at each other--that would be like sinning against the Spirit.}

Another true believer.
Tell me, SeattleGal, do you follow the Path of Sweetness and Light (cream and sugar) or do you really Know the Power of the Dark Side? (Triple espresso, black and make it a double!!)

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by DrumR

Another true believer.
Tell me, SeattleGal, do you follow the Path of Sweetness and Light (cream and sugar) or do you really Know the Power of the Dark Side? (Triple espresso, black and make it a double!!)

Dark roast, extra strong brew, (possibly spiked with a few extra shots of espresso,) no sugar, with non-dairy creamer (not soy! )

[DrumR]

Originally Posted by Avi

Hi,

I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on the Zen perspective of our current economic disaster.
Thanks.

The Old Master was visiting the monastery kitchen. The Master noticed a rather large pie cooling on the window shelf and was prompted to ask of the cook: "if I stick my thumb into this delicious smelling pie would I also pull out a plum?"

The cook replied:
"Master, If you stuck your thumb in this pie you would indeed pull out a plum; but in so doing the four and twenty blackbirds baked in the pie would escape through the convenient oriface provided. Thus the Brothers in the monastery would all go hungry."

"Being hungry, for lack of a good meal, the Brother's work in the following days would be insufficient to the tasks before them. This lack of productivity would adversly effect the stocking of the larder."

"One can see", said the cook, "that one's attachment to plums is a desire most crippling."

The Old Master smiled and bowed low to the cook. Whereupon the cook struck the old master with a dripping ladle extracted from the tureen of hot soup, causing the Old Master to grasp his head in protection...and to let go of the smaller pies he had tried to purloin under the folds of his robes.



Morales extracted:
The authorities have absolved Benito Morales of any wrong-doing.

According to a statement provided by the Authorities:
"Senor Morales had nothing to do with the cook's actions, for he just supplies ladles to the monastery as an act of devotion."

[Avi]

Originally Posted by DrumR

The Old Master smiled and bowed low to the cook. Whereupon the cook struck the old master with a dripping ladle extracted from the tureen of hot soup, causing the Old Master to grasp his head in protection...and to let go of the smaller pies he had tried to purloin under the folds of his robes.

Now that was the answer I was looking for !! Thanks !!

(Only don't tell me whether Obama is the master or cook, we are not allowed to talk politics in this sub-forum ).

[DrumR]

Originally Posted by Avi

Hi,

....what is the Zen way of dealing with this situation ? What are your expections of what Obama's accomplishments might include ? Any other observations about the Zen perspective here.

Thanks.

In one of the earlier teachings in Zen one may happen across the dialogs between the eager wannabe student and the Master regarding the time it would take to learn Zen. I believe that this would be an appropriate starting point and when coupled with the dialog of the prospective student of Zen who busily pontificated about all he knew to the Master provide the insight sought after. Have a cup of tea, Avi.

[shawn]

Originally Posted by Avi

Hi,

I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on the Zen perspective of our current economic disaster.

For example, what is the Zen way of dealing with this situation ? What are your expections of what Obama's accomplishments might include ? Any other observations about the Zen perspective here.

From my very limited understanding of Zen, I have some thoughts, but I would like to hear what you think.

Thanks.

This too shall pass.

[DrumR]

Thank you for the favor of a reply, Avi.

Originally Posted by Avi

Now that was the answer I was looking for !! Thanks !!

OHmyGosh, you actually read it???

Originally Posted by Avi

(Only don't tell me whether Obama is the master or cook, we are not allowed to talk politics in this sub-forum ).

Remember, I did not at any time state that Mr Obama was a Master Cook!

Not to speak of poly ticks? Ok!

Koan
What is the cost of one tick campaining?

[Avi]

Originally Posted by DrumR

In one of the earlier teachings in Zen one may happen across the dialogs between the eager wannabe student and the Master regarding the time it would take to learn Zen. I believe that this would be an appropriate starting point and when coupled with the dialog of the prospective student of Zen who busily pontificated about all he knew to the Master provide the insight sought after.

Oh yes, I think I am (very) slowly learning !

Have a cup of tea, Avi.

But after chatting with these folks for over 6 months, I think I need something stronger than the usual.

Any "Yingde Black Tea" available ?

Classification of Chinese tea

[DrumR]

Thank you for the favor of a reply, Avi.

Originally Posted by Avi

Oh yes, I think I am (very) slowly learning !

But after chatting with these folks for over 6 months, I think I need something stronger than the usual.

Any "Yingde Black Tea" available ?

An examination of the excessive verbosity that was displayed in the initial replies to your query one should readily see that sorting the "wheat from the chaff," while wading through the voluminous and scholarly papers presented, could be a most daunting task indeed. I am quite surprised that any could have managed, in so short a period of time, advanced to the point of determining that it was indeed the tea which was in need of a change. Such astuteness should not go unrewarded.

While I do not have any of the Yingde ( thank you for the link) I do have some 18 yr old ripe (black) Pu Erh, and a rather interesting pair of young raw (green) Pu Erhs as well. Perhaps the bamboo wrapped would not be too much too soon ...

[Avi]

Originally Posted by DrumR

While I do not have any of the Yingde ( thank you for the link) I do have some 18 yr old ripe (black) Pu Erh, and a rather interesting pair of young raw (green) Pu Erhs as well. Perhaps the bamboo wrapped would not be too much too soon ...

Thanks for the pointers, DrumR. All this discussion has gotten me thirsty. I am going to get the water boiling, see you soon................