Been working with mu since november of last year. And all I can say is it has ruined so many things for me and I’m still very much fine! I give credit to my teacher and the sangha for the guidance and love. Also so funny when I start to realize where mu is taking me and all I did was resist. Thank you Angelo for making lots of videos about Mu. More people should know about this powerful practice!
I was able to spend a little time with Kapleau Roshi in Rochester back in the early 70s. Had a wonderful conversation with him in the Zen center’s kitchen. I also love Huineng’s great koan, “SHOW me your original face before your parent’s were born.” 🙏❤️🙏
It began with Zen Buddhism. Then it became Tibetan, then Theravadan. In recent months it has become clear how straight forward, unencumbered and powerful Zen and its practices are. Zen's simplicity is its power.
Thanks for the clarification! I'm now reading a book from the AYP Enlightenment Series (Yogani) Book called "Deep Meditation" they use the Mantra "I AM" is that the same?
Hi Angelo. How would you approach emotions that come up when working with the one pointed approach? Do you treat emotions like thoughts or is that spiritual bypassing?
I feel I can stay with Mu when I’m sitting in stillness. However, I get really distracted when I’m moving and/or performing a task. Can anyone else relate? Any advice? Thx
I just don't have any intense curiosity like I used to, a lot of the questions or koans aren't interesting to my mind, like I just give up at this point because I know there's no conceptual answer. And it's blankness and silence. I tried to enquire into the blankness and nothing arghh
Ummm, you actually don't seem to have a problem from what you're saying. Sounds like you're over a hump and at rest in Being. Your mind is pretty quiet. Ahhhh Beautiful.
So why didn't they just say so!! Thank you so much for this explanation!!! I always assumed thats mu - but now I know. The last part of the video about mu sitting and standing etc(absorption) Thanks for that too
I totally see now what is meant by avoiding the seemingly insignifcant very human aspects of life by wanting to escape into boundless awareness on my meditation cushion. I feel inclined to examine the distinction between signifcant and insignificant
So what do you do when you've been questioning and meditating for 50 years, actually since birth. When now I am the question, or rather I am "questioning". I am a verb, not a noun, so to speak.The question has lost its form. I am the questioning. No matter where I am, or what I am doing, it is there, inseparable from "me". I feel stuck here. I can't stop seeking even though I know it is grasping at a mirage. I can't go back and I can't go forward. The here and now for me is this nebulous "seeking". On a side note: I trained in Soto Zen many years ago and one of the things that brought me to Zen was Kapleau's book "The Three Pillars of Zen".
The simple answer is you haven’t fully fused with Mu. When there is just Mu there will be no room for histories, seeking, frustration, hope etc. JUST MU
Angelo once did a video called “I’ve been trying for Ten Years and no awakening” That really shed some light on some hidden beliefs for me. Just popped into my mind that maybe it could be beneficial for you too. But I get it, this “process” truly is wonderful, wicked and weird at times
If I may for a second turn Mu into a concept lol. Just for a second. Is Mu a word without definition? A way to almost label a slice of nothingness? Basically an empty jar. In a way it acts as a password and shortcut out of the mind. Kind of like how in a lucid dream somebody may "reality check" and try to put a finger through their palm. MU brings awareness to the fact that you are in thought. Its empty definition is your finger going through your hand. It is the mind trying to grasp something it cannot. Mu in this way can be used as a password to order the mind to let go?
I have a few questions which you are free to ignore but they come from a place of genuine curiosity: (1) You say you are not a Zen teacher. It seems you could have gone down that path if you had wanted to. Why are you not a Zen teacher? Is there something in the Zen tradition(s) you find unhelpful, or that does not align with what you find most important to awakening? (2) What is your opinion on koan curriculums and the subsequent koans that come after mu in certain Zen traditions? (3) You indicate that you don't feel a teacher is necessary to work with mu. Do you feel the repeated "presentation" of mu in dokusan, prior to awakening, is helpful to the awakening process? (4) What is your opinion on Soto Zen lineages that don't utilize intensive one-pointed koan practice? Can you become "one-pointed" with the breath, or with more of an objectless awareness, in the same way you can become one-pointed with mu? Do you see practicing with a Soto Zen group, but utilizing your book and inquiry in conjunction with that, as a fruitful approach to practice? Thank you!
Hi Angelo I don’t know why but this is driving me absolutely batshit crazy, are you ready for the stupidest thing ever? I cannot fucking get my mind free of the decision to ask ‘what is mu’ vs. just Mu. They both have a different flavour to me and sometimes either one feels right, but then sometimes either one feels very, very wrong and mechanical. Have you anything for me D: love
This is a specific practice for someone who has not had a shift in identity. The point is to lead one to awakening. If this isn’t in your experience then you will be simply speaking from concept. If you have had an awakening then you will know the value of this practice.
maybe this (not-a-)process is getting a bit more traction here. i used to think mu is nonconceptual awareness, and then i knew that's a thought and set it aside, and that seemed to leave me with no approach. i've had glimpses of what that kapleau quote points to though, something in me wants to go there and stay there. but there's no way to go there. then again that's also a thought. mind is gradually feeling more grid locked all the time, but now that starts to feel more like aliveness instead of like an obstacle. thanks for the pointer angelo 🪷
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Been working with mu since november of last year. And all I can say is it has ruined so many things for me and I’m still very much fine! I give credit to my teacher and the sangha for the guidance and love. Also so funny when I start to realize where mu is taking me and all I did was resist. Thank you Angelo for making lots of videos about Mu. More people should know about this powerful practice!
!!! Thanks for the report.... Just Mu
I was able to spend a little time with Kapleau Roshi in Rochester back in the early 70s. Had a wonderful conversation with him in the Zen center’s kitchen. I also love Huineng’s great koan, “SHOW me your original face before your parent’s were born.” 🙏❤️🙏
@@tahchridaya awesome
For the first time I smiled when you said to follow where MU leads... Instead of wondering what the heck you were talking about! 😂
💡
Wow. This question is so powerful. Thank you so much ❤
It began with Zen Buddhism. Then it became Tibetan, then Theravadan. In recent months it has become clear how straight forward, unencumbered and powerful Zen and its practices are. Zen's simplicity is its power.
Thanks for the clarification! I'm now reading a book from the AYP Enlightenment Series (Yogani) Book called "Deep Meditation" they use the Mantra "I AM" is that the same?
Hi Angelo. How would you approach emotions that come up when working with the one pointed approach? Do you treat emotions like thoughts or is that spiritual bypassing?
I feel I can stay with Mu when I’m sitting in stillness. However, I get really distracted when I’m moving and/or performing a task. Can anyone else relate? Any advice? Thx
Same. But... what is mu?
I just don't have any intense curiosity like I used to, a lot of the questions or koans aren't interesting to my mind, like I just give up at this point because I know there's no conceptual answer. And it's blankness and silence. I tried to enquire into the blankness and nothing arghh
Ummm, you actually don't seem to have a problem from what you're saying. Sounds like you're over a hump and at rest in Being. Your mind is pretty quiet. Ahhhh Beautiful.
So why you trying if you don't feel like it?
I know conceptually there's no conceptual answer too, but that's still conceptual.
So why didn't they just say so!! Thank you so much for this explanation!!! I always assumed thats mu - but now I know. The last part of the video about mu sitting and standing etc(absorption) Thanks for that too
Moo
I totally see now what is meant by avoiding the seemingly insignifcant very human aspects of life by wanting to escape into boundless awareness on my meditation cushion.
I feel inclined to examine the distinction between signifcant and insignificant
So what do you do when you've been questioning and meditating for 50 years, actually since birth. When now I am the question, or rather I am "questioning". I am a verb, not a noun, so to speak.The question has lost its form. I am the questioning. No matter where I am, or what I am doing, it is there, inseparable from "me". I feel stuck here. I can't stop seeking even though I know it is grasping at a mirage. I can't go back and I can't go forward. The here and now for me is this nebulous "seeking". On a side note: I trained in Soto Zen many years ago and one of the things that brought me to Zen was Kapleau's book "The Three Pillars of Zen".
@davidr… your pathway sounds challenging and an arduous journey. Thanks for sharing. May you be at peace. May you be content. 😊
The simple answer is you haven’t fully fused with Mu. When there is just Mu there will be no room for histories, seeking, frustration, hope etc. JUST MU
Angelo once did a video called “I’ve been trying for Ten Years and no awakening”
That really shed some light on some hidden beliefs for me.
Just popped into my mind that maybe it could be beneficial for you too. But I get it, this “process” truly is wonderful, wicked and weird at times
I am so grateful for your continued videos dear Angelo. I feel LOVE coming through each one and so much transmission of Mu!
Thank you! I will say Mu and orient towards the gap.
If I may for a second turn Mu into a concept lol. Just for a second. Is Mu a word without definition? A way to almost label a slice of nothingness? Basically an empty jar. In a way it acts as a password and shortcut out of the mind. Kind of like how in a lucid dream somebody may "reality check" and try to put a finger through their palm. MU brings awareness to the fact that you are in thought. Its empty definition is your finger going through your hand. It is the mind trying to grasp something it cannot. Mu in this way can be used as a password to order the mind to let go?
❤
I have a few questions which you are free to ignore but they come from a place of genuine curiosity:
(1) You say you are not a Zen teacher. It seems you could have gone down that path if you had wanted to. Why are you not a Zen teacher? Is there something in the Zen tradition(s) you find unhelpful, or that does not align with what you find most important to awakening?
(2) What is your opinion on koan curriculums and the subsequent koans that come after mu in certain Zen traditions?
(3) You indicate that you don't feel a teacher is necessary to work with mu. Do you feel the repeated "presentation" of mu in dokusan, prior to awakening, is helpful to the awakening process?
(4) What is your opinion on Soto Zen lineages that don't utilize intensive one-pointed koan practice? Can you become "one-pointed" with the breath, or with more of an objectless awareness, in the same way you can become one-pointed with mu? Do you see practicing with a Soto Zen group, but utilizing your book and inquiry in conjunction with that, as a fruitful approach to practice?
Thank you!
This one... ❤
Mu? To that, I say "woof".
Hi Angelo I don’t know why but this is driving me absolutely batshit crazy, are you ready for the stupidest thing ever? I cannot fucking get my mind free of the decision to ask ‘what is mu’ vs. just Mu. They both have a different flavour to me and sometimes either one feels right, but then sometimes either one feels very, very wrong and mechanical. Have you anything for me D: love
mu
@@alfreddifeo9642
Do all koans have the same answer? Or is this a pointless question?
Working with Mu? Does this mean cows are enlightened? Sorry, couldn't help myself...
Please don’t "Mu” your life away. Any Me that thinks it’s MUing, is just the Dream of the Me MUing. 😊
This is a specific practice for someone who has not had a shift in identity. The point is to lead one to awakening. If this isn’t in your experience then you will be simply speaking from concept. If you have had an awakening then you will know the value of this practice.
maybe this (not-a-)process is getting a bit more traction here. i used to think mu is nonconceptual awareness, and then i knew that's a thought and set it aside, and that seemed to leave me with no approach. i've had glimpses of what that kapleau quote points to though, something in me wants to go there and stay there. but there's no way to go there. then again that's also a thought. mind is gradually feeling more grid locked all the time, but now that starts to feel more like aliveness instead of like an obstacle.
thanks for the pointer angelo 🪷