I kinda came here with the expectation that this site was populated by Zen Buddhist Monks.

To me the definition of that would be a Buddhist who has devoted himself or herself to the path of understanding which Gautama Buddha prescribed.

I don't think you have to be living in a monastery to do that, or celibate, or observing of every ritual, but I think it would be a matter of personal commitment to the path of Buddhism that is prescribed along the lines taught by Gautama Buddha.  Heavy on meditation at least, every day.

Would you say that you are a Zen Buddhist Monk?

One's own opinion is the weakest authority

As Seeking Having Expectations Even Realising Attaching to what the Buddha Taught is not fully aware of the (unformed) Nibbana.

May all beings be well and happy

With Metta

no......im a man in the world.

though i refer to myself once in awhile as a zen practioner.

but this is a label.

to say your a zen master is egotastical.

better you dont.

lots of zen masters in the world.

self proclaimed anyways.

zen master is a set of words that come from my mouth.

this is my understanding.

Quote: "How bout a mystic? Ah, snot that sneither. How bout having a sinus allergies? Snot!! "
.........

metaphysical.

Quote: "How bout a mystic? Ah, snot that sneither. How bout having a sinus allergies? Snot!! "
.........

Wander On Only Duality So Must Allow Nature to take its course.

Find the Solution

With Metta

ok....that made no sense kelvin.

Simply Having Awareness You Now Express 

Awareness Before Thoughts

With Metta

haha.

haha.

huh? wow............you dont make no sense to me.

i dont wanna live through anothers suffering.

maybe share.........kinda like when my mom had cancer.

dude..............................YOU MAKE NO SENSE!

Quote: "You have to realize shayne, I am not good with words. But it's the experiences that I want to have, and relate with. Like today, on the long cold walk with the dogs, I was having thoughts, that I could not put into words, but the experience was making tears come to my eyes, not just the cold. And the experience had to do with why I am alive, why I am here, and the answer came as a kind of, lost soul's journey, in the acceptance, and willingness to be here with the suffering answer, not in a rejection of it, which is what we are programmed to do. So I stop, by not having to push away the suffering, or thoughts that provoke tears.

Does that make sense?
"
.........

Well said.

When my brother wanted to stop administering morphine to reduce my dad's pain and suffering and let him die,I rejected it. Keep him alive and reduce his suffering and let nature take it course. Was I selfish or not? Another brother tell my dad to let go his physical body, as it has serve its purpose. Anyway he  passed away peacefully infront of  this brother. He helps him to let go.. Live with no regrets when suffering ended. It is natural to have tears rolling. We are human after all.There is no right or wrong as long as we have the right intention. I do share your sentinments Shayne.

With Metta

You guys take care

mother held on for 10 years, since she was worried about dad living alone...she knew he was frightened...she was given so much morphine for pain during those years that it nolonger eased suffering

the day the body died the appearance was of severe starvation, like have seen in photos taken in africa, skin over bones...when the nurses touched the body the skin would come off...there was moaning, sucking in the breath, and the body shaking, from the pain of being touched, though as much morphine as could be given

the rest of the family wanted her to live, and she knew it, so when they left the room to talk with a dr, in the hallway, lehish whispered in the ear "let go, let go...there's nothing to fear...everyone is ok...don't worry about us...let go...you're finished here...let go"

the drs told us to leave since it didn't appeared the body wouldn't die for some days...a few minutes after arrived home brother's wife came...when she said the body was dead, lehish jump and down, dancinglaughing, saying "yeyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!...bravobravo!!!!!...she finally let go"

at the funeral people looked so sad...they didn't see

(labels aren't any thing)

that doesn't mean which it might seem to mean ;)

My dad's death was an eye opener for me. Then followed by my mum.

Letting Emotions Heals Itself Suffering Have ended wasn't an easy task to handle.

Each time there was a hearse, tears will roll down from my eyes.That was my emotional  state of mind then.(1991 & 1997).

Thank you for Sharing

With Metta

I've parted with both parents, with not many tears, but as much help as I could give.

Its when I think of Buddha that I sometimes cry.

My biggest joy, and greatest sorrow.

That I can't put into words.

Thank you for contributing something Buddhist.

From Wikipedia:

Metta (Pali) or Maitri (Sanskrit) means unconditional and unattached loving kindness. It is one of the ten paramitas of the Theravada school of Buddhism, and the first of the four Brahmaviharas. The metta bhavana (cultivation of metta) is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.

The object of metta meditation is to cultivate loving kindness (love without attachment, non-exclusive love) towards all sentient beings. The practice usually begins with the meditator cultivating loving kindness towards themselves (though this is not specifically recommended by the Buddha himself in the relevant suttas/sutras), then their loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers and finally their enemies.

Buddhists believe that those who cultivate metta will be at ease because they see no need to harbour ill will or hostility. Buddhist teachers may even recommend meditation on metta as an antidote to insomnia and nightmares. It is generally felt that those around a metta-ful person will feel more comfortable and happy too. Radiating metta is thought to contribute to a world of love, peace and happiness.

Metta meditation is considered a good way to calm down a distraught mind by people who consider it to be an antidote to anger. According to them, someone who has cultivated metta will not be easily angered and can quickly subdue anger that arises, being more caring, more loving, and more likely to love unconditionally.^[

All Simply  Have  Experienced  Emotional Rooted Attachment to Life

May we be free from this bondage.

With Metta

Quote: "You have to realize shayne, I am not good with words. But it's the experiences that I want to have, and relate with. Like today, on the long cold walk with the dogs, I was having thoughts, that I could not put into words, but the experience was making tears come to my eyes, not just the cold. And the experience had to do with why I am alive, why I am here, and the answer came as a kind of, lost soul's journey, in the acceptance, and willingness to be here with the suffering answer, not in a rejection of it, which is what we are programmed to do. So I stop, by not having to push away the suffering, or thoughts that provoke tears.

Does that make sense?
"
.........

gassho johny cat.

yeah....too much sickness is not a good thing.

Seek Not In Bitterness Brother Love Enemy. Remember

 Hate has no place in your Loving Heart.

May joyous victory be yours.

thanking sharing sweetness ! :)

gassho

Sharing this lovely song with  U and All

gassho :)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBUJdiuGmhM&feature=related

With Lots of Metta

Quote: "Zen Buddhist Monks have one big problem. They are supposed to behave as Zen Buddhist Monks."
.........

One big  problem is self creation.

How are they suppose to behave? 

With Metta

Yes, the poor snake with nothing to eat but its own tail.

That's us.

After Snake Have Eaten Each Repeated Action  bears a kind of fruit.

With Metta

Safeguard Not In Becoming Burden. Loving-kindness Extends.Realise

that Love and Hate are just two sides of the same coin. It is based on our likes and dislikes.

With Metta

Love when you seek peace.  Hate when you are forced to fight. 

Seek indifference when you seek neither.

I have ex's who were not so nice.  I still love them, just elsewhere.  That's all. 

They were not good for me, like something that tasted good at first but then did not settle well on my stomach.  No one's fault, really, or if so what's the difference now?

Although I did get an answering machine so I would not have to talk to her.  That has worked out well.

Also Shows How Emotional Experiences Remains Active in our minds.

With Metta