On Thursday January 22nd Ven Myong Ahn Sunim provided a lecture at the South Plainfield Public Library about meditation from the Zen Buddhist perspective. The talk focused on how our thoughts influence our daily experience and how meditation can help us restore the balance between our mind, body and spirit. Ven Myong Ahn’s thoughtful stories helped illustrate how each individual already holds the power within to lead peaceful, happy lives. Bob Davey was also on hand, and helped answer the audience’s questions about his own experience with meditation.
Do you think that the sages, the spiritual masters are ordinary, or do you think there are extraordinary? Do you think they are special, unique, or do you think they are just normal? If you think the masters are just normal, you will never reach enlightenment. If you think the masters are extraordinary, you will never reach enlightenment. If you think that the masters are normal, you will not pursue the goal of spiritual practice correctly. In Zen tradition, this is illustrated in almost graphic ways. “The one who set their mind on the goal of enlightenment is to practice as if their hair was on fire and they’re looking for a lake into which to dive into”. It is with this urgent energy that one is to pursuit Enlightenment. So, if you think masters are just ordinary, you won't have the necessary energy to pursue it. If you think masters are extraordinary. You won't even start the journey. “Ah, these lofty goals are for a select group of people, some special fantastic spiritual V...
