Are you attracted to Krishna?

Thank you for responding. I cannot say that I have ever had a specific master that I have studied with, but my journey first started in the summer of 1981 when I attended a Zen weekend where we used dialogue on the contemplation of acceptance and awareness of the moment of now and lots of zazen (meditation) to enhance this experience. At one point we had a short break to walk in the grounds and as I entered the daylight I saw a tree. The tree had always been there, but for the first time I was really aware of it and was drawn by it as if it was myself I was observing. (Words are not really adequate to describe this experience though) Just prior to this, during the last sitting of zazen, I had experienced lots of pain in my neck and shoulders that had been so intense that it had almost reduced me to tears. But as per instructions, I just accepted it and witnessed it as it built up more and more. It was some sort of energy, of that I am sure - maybe kundalini, I don't know. Because in Zen we aim not to add labels to our experiences, but just to experience the unexplainable, allowing it to unfold - knowing nothing, just being mindful of it. This has often been my sort of challenge. I have often heard that when the student is ready, the master appears. And I believe that I have had many masters, the first one being the tree back in '81. Sometime a person, sometimes an event or even a strong feeling. These are referred to as mini-satori in Japanese Zen, glimpses of enlightenment. Glimpses of the Whole. Instruction then comes to let go and move on with zazen, the essence of Zen. So the master I follow today, although acknowledged and valued, may not be the master tomorrow. This I believe is my understanding of a Zen story when a Zen master said to his monks (students), "If the Buddha appears to you, kill Him!". At first I thought this story to be disrespectful, but now I can see it was given with the utmost respect for the Buddha nature that resides within us all, that is forever growing. Thank you for the opportunity to look inside and remind myself to stay in the now and continue the journey.. - Derek

Yes....when I had the experience talked of above....I knew nothing....I had not even heard of the word kundalini......I just felt this gigantic train type of energy crawling up my spine....but I experienced no pain.....only bliss...... Anyway the point being is that words, labellings, belief systems, dogma's, do so much get in the way!!!.....It really does prevent one from just experiencing....these things can only be understood from experience and not by mental activity and then each experience has to be disregarded too. I do have a Guru, and was soo drawn to Him when I met Him, at the intiation He gave me a mantra to repeat and I asked Him what it meant? He blasted me to timbuk two....He acidly told me, not to waste His time, that He was not there to entertain my mind or it's games,and that the truth can not be taught by questions and answers.....and that I know everything already! He said just do the mantra and see for yourself.....when you experience it for yourself then it will be yours....otherwise it's just concepts.....it was said very pungently and with alot of fire.....I've actually toned it down......anyhow three days later.....I had this awakening....and experienced for myself....and He was bang on! In the end there is no Guru....just truth and consciousness....they are just amplifiers/channels of this wave.... Alot of people get caught in cult worship because of these words, unless you have it right. So I can very much relate to the Zen concept....but perhaps not so familiar with the terms. Something else that's interesting that I'd like to relate here. When Leonard Cohen first visited a Monastery in the States, Lead by a Japanese Zen Master, he had to sit and do the Zazen, and like in Japan, a senior monk would come and hit him with a stick everytime he kind of dozed....well the senior monk that kept wacking Leonard was a German monk.....and Leonard just couldn't deal with it....He kept thinking the Japanese and Germans were finally getting their revenge on the Americians.....and he ran.....but only to return and stay at the same Monastery for 30 years!!!!!!!!! Take care

Beautiful...thank you for sharing that. I'm a particular fan of Leonard Cohen who also practiced Zen mediation! I believe All paths are the same, it all depends on one's samskars....which dictates which path they are actually drawn too. For me it seems to be the path of devotion. I had a spontaneous experience once....I knew not what was happening or how it happened......all I do know is that at the time my heart was filled with devotion for Krishna, through this, my breathing changed automatically, mind became still and the Kundalini shakti partially arose from the base of the spine...it was phenomenal...and indescribable....to say the least.....it changed my life. It is said that when the Kundalini shakti rises and meets the sahshara chakra at the top of the head, is when Enlightenment takes place....I was lucky to have experienced a very minute fraction....teeny weeny bitsy bit of it....must have been something carried over from previous life. I have been drawn to the Buddha through Mahayan Tibetan Buddhism....as Krishna and Buddha are both related in terms of being Avatars here in India....I have a particular chemistry with the Karmapa. Do you have an Eastern master whom you study with? Take care

Jai Sri Radhe! Thank you for bringing the blessings of His Leela here. After reading what you wrote, I am feeling very emotional and internal. Tell me are you also drawn to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Panch Tattwa and the Goswami's?

Wow, so am I.....glad to meet you, I also chant his names! So when was you drawn to Him?

So sweet. He is my everything...I belong to Him.