What is this blog about? It can be partially said with this quote:
That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great.
-Willa Cather
To be a part of the grand mystery in and of itself is amazing. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Buddhist, Hindu, Zoroastrian, or take any other noble creed, we are all united by one thing: mystery. Despite the many differences of all the faiths, the many gods, the many traditions- the great mystery is something we share. A god or gods are not necessary for spirituality in an of itself; even Atheism as it has come into form today espouses humanity and all of its grand accomplishments as well as hope of where it’s going. Is that any less valid than any other belief in the world?
What is, then, this mystery? It is difficult to craft into mere words. Were it that easy, it would not be so much of a mystery. It could best be described as the sum of all the variables in our lives:
“How do I become better?”
“Can I attain happiness?”
“What is my self-worth?”
“Is there something higher than what I see?”
The mystery is where humanity has been, it is where humanity is going. It is there from when we are born to when we die. It’s in the hearts of lovers. You can find it in the happiness of a new fathers shout for joy upon seeing his new baby. It’s in the leaving of a loved one headed for war; as well as in their return home. The mystery is what unites us instead of tearing us apart. It’s in the prayer of a beggar, as well as the charity of the rich. It is what causes one person to sacrifice their lives for another whether by physically giving up their lives, or filling up their lives with selfless acts of kindness.
It is my prayer to become better united with this mystery, and my hope that I can help others do the same.
Why ‘Religious Zen’? I chose the name as a paradox. Religion carries a more negative connotation than it did in times past. Many today see it as form, tradition, rules, and bylaws without substance and demanding absolute adherence from its followers. I chose Zen because it tends to lean the opposite way: humility, service, gratitude, independence.
Eastern culture is full of paradoxes, consider the following line from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tse:
“The Tao [Mystery] is empty
but inexhaustible,
bottomless,
the ancestor of it all…”
“…It is hidden but always present.
I do not know who gave birth to it.
It seems to be the common ancestor of all, the father of things.”
-Lao Tse, Tao Te Ching (Translation by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, 1972)
So it is that I chose two seemingly contradicting words, yet they can be one. I wish to make the “religious” real and freeing to all, whether that means getting closer to a god, or gods, or just becoming more aware of the god that is yourself.
I intend to use Religious Zen as a platform to increase the well-being, spirituality, and consciousness of my fellow human beings. I do not espouse or deny any religion in particular, though I will write about them all. Instead, I will give freely the most empowering thoughts, musings, and teachings that I have come across through my years of spiritual growth. This is my way of giving back to a society that has given me much, in the hopes of doing my part to make the world a better place for every person.
Please note: I am not a monk, nor do I practice Zen in its traditional sense. Please do not be offended by my use of the word, I believe it is explained well enough in the paragraphs above.
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