Knowledge & Wisdom

Thoreau and Emerson were both Harvard graduates whereas Mark Twain's education was through life experience.

The light mood of Thoreau carries a deep message.

Emerson's writing is more difficult to digest but the time spent will give the reader greater understanding of the self.

We are hopeful that our website will serve as a fresh source and new road to obtain wisdom and knowledge.

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If I were able to only recommend one means to attain understanding - to feel a greater presence of being alive. . . this would be Zen Meditation.

The time I spend each day (just sitting) in meditation is more precious to me than all the gold in the world. This is my self waking up.

Emerson once said  " Within the self is the whole of reason ".

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In my youth there was much confusion . In fact, too much confusion . I knew there must be a way ,somewhere, somehow, to be more comfortable in the world. A friend in college recommended that I read the book " The Three Pillars of Zen". This started my own personal journey of understanding. After about six months of sitting in meditation at home; I attended a sesshin at the Zen Center of Los Angeles.

You can read about the experience of attending this first Sesshin (3 days of meditation - 16 hours per day) on the Zamaran World Products website.

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Years ago ; I asked a pastor of a church what Jesus meant when he said "Heaven is here and now". The pastor told me that Jesus was referring to himself and saying that he was the direct link to God and heaven.

 Jesus could just as well have been saying :

Heaven is here and heaven is now, in each moment of life, with each breath we take.

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During meditation ; the mind will never completely shut down. There will be thoughts .

The main thing is to not see the thoughts as good or bad . Let them flow and pass away. Continue your sitting followed by a few minutes of walking zazen.

In Zen doctrine, the mind is often referred to as the ox.

When sitting, you will find the ox present much of the time. Do not wrestle with it . Let it wander freely in the field.

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The zen koan is very useful also .

MU said over and over again in your mind is a zen koan.

There are those who use only the koan in their path to enlightenment or waking up.

I use the koan Mu when doing manual labor or when walking .

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For those who might be looking for a fresh start or new beginning by means of reading ; the lecture by Emerson (Self Reliance) can be read on the Emerson Part 2 page of the Zamaran World Products website.

 

QUOTES /

What business have I in the woods, if I am thinking of something outside the woods ?

              Thoreau

Man is surprised to find that things near and far are not less beautiful than things remote.

The near explains the far.

The drop is a small ocean.

In yourself is the law of nature. In yourself slumbers the whole of reason.

It is for you to know all.

It is for you to dare all.

We will walk with our own feet. We will work with our own hands.

We will speak with our own minds.

                                           Emerson

 

Life itself is only a vision, a dream . . . Nothing exists save empty space - and you.

Dream other dreams, and better .

                                                   Mark Twain