Reasons I Miss the States - People, Ctd.

From the Man with the Mustache who first inspired my "Reasons I Miss the States" column comes a new video filmed in and around Orlando, Fl:

going home from Luke St.Hilaire on Vimeo.

Reasons I Miss the States? No, it's not Orlando, Florida.
But it is definitely friends like Luke.

...and it's good to know I'm missed, too.

Lessons in Buddha's Method

Lessons in Buddha's Method
Dissolving the Set - Part B
Find: Part A; Other Meditations

"This is why in Buddha's Method, we meditate." He continued along his broken-English thought stream from his mantra Happiness is Silence. Speaking to the Medicine Man is like reading the Tao: his language is simple, but if you search for depth, you'll find it.

"When I meditate, I know I am sitting in this chair. But in my mind," he moved his hand from his temple to his sternum, "I am in an empty room, not sitting on anything."

Eastern Tradition says the Mind is of the Heart, not the Brain.

"It is the Brain's way to have many troubles. But this is not true of the Mind." His fingers once again pressed towards his Heart. "The Mind and the Brain are different."

"If you taste a food and it's sour, your Brain reacts to the experience. Your Mind does not have this experience. After awhile, your Brain influences your Mind. The troubles of the Brain become a set and combine with the Mind. IN practicing Buddha's Method, we learn to -"

"Disolve the set." I interjected, finally understanding.

"Yes." he nodded softly, and smiled in resolve.

Lessons in Buddha's Method

Lessons in Buddha's Method
Dissolving the Set - Part A
Find: Part B; Other Meditations

"I don't agree with what people say," he started, "Buddha's Method is a Science, not a religion." I had asked him to tell me more of Buddhism -- his favorite topic. When the Medicine Man talks Buddha, he is really teaching life.

"Like your God: When you experience His presence - in the room - that is not religion, that is Science. Buddha's Method is a process -- for all of life: happy, sad, sick, Time, Love.

"Let me say it this way. Your computer has a set process. Buddha's Method is to dissolve the set."

Nodding softly, I appreciated the effort. But it didn't become clearer until later...

"I do not like Taiwan's education. They destroy Creative Mind. They push only one answer until all are down one road. When students read a book, the teacher asks a question, but only accepts one answer. When I read, I see many answers!

"That's why I make sure my children play every day. My son plays with animals and insects. He feeds fish. And everyday, I ask him," the father turned to his 7 year old nearby, "Are you happy?" With a signature ear-to-ear grin, the boy shook his head in resolve.

"Happiness is most important in life," he stated in satisfaction.

"Buddha's Method is about happiness. The Psychology. It is basic Science. But people don't think so. As humans create more -- cars, TV, electric power, lights -- they think this is Happiness. But they forget; this is not real happiness. Happiness is Silence."

"I think today, people are afraid of Silence," I offered.

"Yes" he stated, nodding softly.

Chinese Proverb of the Day

What Taiwanese Mothers Teach their Children





"Don't think too much."




-----------------------------------------------

A few words on this:

There are many cultural differences between Taiwan and the United States. Some are funny, some are strange, some are expected. This however, is the most foreign concept to me I've yet to encounter. Having always been encouraged to be a "Free Thinker", the idea of "too much thinking," or in reality, "stifling thought" is - to me - absolutely absurd.

When Taiwanese culture has the upper hand on America, I give it to them. Community, for example, is a concept the United States has just about forgotten. But I want to form Community that encourages thought and contemplation and questioning and innovation and creativity. I want to push past the norm for something new. I want to live amongst those willing to analyze and over-analyze all aspects of life; question, doubt, and feel safe doing so.

As I've found out, these concepts are inversely foreign to the Taiwanese. Maybe it's their cultural desire to identify within the group that has indoctrinated in them the idea that out-of-bounds thinking is dangerous.

Within my time here, I've purposefully sought to learn what I can from this foreign culture. Through encountering this "proverb" I've learned just how valuable an open and questioning mind is to my survival.

What's your take? Is thinking dangerous? Is there such a thing as "thinking too much"? What would be the situation where stifling thought is beneficial?