Effortless Belonging

SYNCHRONY THE SCIENCE UNDERLYING ZEN The Question of Life’s meaning FORWARD The purpose of this book is to reveal the convergence of ancient science and modern science. This connection requires learning new concepts and perspectives. However, real learning always replaces some previous assumption, and this displacement can only be verified when it takes us by surprise. If you're not surprised, you're not learning. So, in reading to learn and enjoy, the attitude necessary is like enjoying a movie; the reader will need to suspend their doubt. That's where the next surprise can appear around the corner. For this type of scope, we usually look to the wise and dedicated person, such as I have in DT Suzuki, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Albert Einstein, and Erwin Schrodinger. I am ordinary in comparison. I've mostly been the engineer in charge of IT infrastructure projects. However, I've also been a soldier, a pilot, a hunter, a horseman, a fisherman, a lover, a father, and a husband; while simultaneously being a yogi a student of Zen and Sanskrit. My life has been a series of adventures, which has always included a scientific-spiritual path, and this final chapter of my life may represent its culmination. The exploits of my life help me see extraordinary practical magic from a marketplace perspective. Where the purely contemplative may not directly relate to worldly existence, this book's view is that of a simple yogi-householder, well-grounded in scientific materialism. My most kindred Zen teacher says it best. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind; Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Communication “Without any intentional, fancy way of adjusting yourself, to express yourself as you are is the most important thing.” Meditation and mindfulness are not being sold or proselytized, though they are central to my practice and this study. If you don't already grasp both, as a life-giving refuge, you have the possibility of great adventures still ahead. However, for me, meditation and mindfulness practices make life a better place from two standpoints. First, my perception of the world is increasingly optimistic, accepting, and often downright humorous. Second, I'm a kinder, more giving, and loving person because of self-examination, which can be quite a challenge when you've been raised to be a cowboy. In this way, I show gratitude for those who choose to share life with me. Frankly, I like myself much better. It's a challenge finishing this book because the publication means coming out of the closet, revealing myself warts and all. I started this book in my thirties, after only a decade of practice, and now I'm turning seventy. Thirty-plus years ago, I wrote the following prose starting with inspiration from "The Point" by Harry Nilsson. It still helps to understand what this book may offer. These abstractions are windows and doorways that may also open for you. If you feel some sense of surprise, this book may be of use to you. SECRET KOANS I SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE I HEAR WHAT I WANT TO HEAR ACCOUNTABLE FOR INTERPRETATION AND CREATION, I AM. MY UNDISCIPLINED MIND SEES REALITY THROUGH THE RERUNS OF EXPERIENCE. MY HABITUAL THINKING CALLS A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHESY. THINKING HABITS MUST CHANGE, PAST EMOTIONS MUST CORRUPT MY PRESENT PERCEPTION NO MORE! NOT CONTROLLED OR OFFENDED I SEE YOU, EYE TO EYE. NO ONE OTHER THAN SELF IS EVER RESPONSIBLE. HOBBLING FEAR, WONDERING DESIRE OR DISCIPLINE UNDERSTOOD, ALL THOUGHT IS PRAYER, ALL PRAYER IS ANSWERED. I CALL MY SOUL’S DESIRE IN QUIET MOMENTS. I CALL OTHER THINGS UNAWARE. DEMONSTRATION LIFTS ME, GRACE DETONATES MY SELF-WILL, CONSUMING RESERVATION. FAITH IS TO DO, NOT JUST BELIEVE. OUR FATHERS BLAMED DESIRE. FOLLOWING THAT WAY, I’VE MADE MYSELF A HYPOCRITE. BETTER TO BE HONESTLY FLAWED, AS DESIRE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY. BUT IN ERROR, I’VE GROWN ALSO, TO DESIRE LESS NATURALLY; FALLING AWAY AS THEY SEEM. SELFISH DESIRES MATURE, EXCHANGED REPLACED WITH SELFLESS DESIRE. HIGHER FOR LOWER, MIND IS THE CHOICE AND THE WORK. DESIRE IS THE VEHICLE AND SOURCE, COMMENCEMENT OF CREATION, GOD DESIRES US. TRUTH SPOKEN IS NOT THE WHOLE TRUTH. TRUTH IS A PLACE BEYOND MY MIND. WHERE I CANNOT BE RIGHT, IF IT MAKES YOU WRONG. LOVE DESCRIBED IS HARDLY ITS SHADOW; RELATIONSHIPS INVENT EACH MOMENT, IF WE ARE BOTH IN THIS PLACE THERE IS ONLY ONE OF US HERE. IN LOVE, THERE IS NO OTHER THAN SELF. JOY MISUNDERSTOOD AT ROOT, THE ONLY GIFT I HAVE FOR YOU, ME. JOY MORE THAN MY RIGHT IS MY PURPOSE AND MY DUTY. FINDING MY OWN JOYS GIFT, I HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER YOU. I SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE I HEAR WHAT I WANT TO HEAR. An extraordinary gift in my life has been studying the Lankavatara Sutra (Lanka). I once told others that my life was repeatedly and violently rearranged by destiny, calling me to do this work. But now I can admit to myself; understanding life was always just an irresistible desire, and subconsciously or consciously, I continually recreated my life to suit that desire, by whatever means necessary. Though my writing is hoped to be of value to you, I know now it was for my growth primarily. Publishing is mostly an exercise to keep me authentic to who I am and force me to get rid of my old rubbish story as much as I can. Finally, anyone thinking this is a translation or representation of any Zen school of thought would be mistaken. My most crucial teacher referred to me as the worst of students, a goat, so to speak — one who can’t be controlled and eats everything, finding sustenance in the thorny scrub. So, what I offer is not a pure doctrine of any kind but a mix of discoveries and hopefully surprises. My experience across all schools of wisdom, integration with science, and my advanced years allow me to share the magic just as I see it, without concern of being accepted or even understood. This book is for those who can hear it. I can only offer my apologies and love to all the venerable masters, who may find my expression not according to their liking. Humbly, this is my way of serving the Dharma at this tipping point of human evolution.