Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971)

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How powerful is this for something so simple?
Blimey, it might be because I've just woken up but I didn't know so few words could amplify so loudly.
Will the frog sit in silence one day, just as the fly does?

**Edit**
Just seen this was yours Harry. I understand more now.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (00:43:47)

I thank you very very much Will.
Cheers...Harry


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Hmm, very gentle metaphor here used. You've expressed the simple emotion of a (beginner's) mind quite well, I think. Also, an excellent crossover between curiosity and the importance of nature, as if it is expressed from a broader perspective.

However, another part of me feels a sense of laziness, (the reason it is the beginner's mind--because that mind can only see so much, even if it is tranquil--which is beautiful). Is the fly supposed to represent the littler of two qualities or objects?

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (00:50:19)

Hi Sammi...I like your interpretation. The title is the title of a book on Zen that was printed after he died by his American students...it was the first book on zen that I ever read some 20 years ago. THe entire poem is about the Soto School of Zen which sees satori (enlightenment) as being a gradual thing, unlike the Rinzai School that sees it as sudden.
Cheers...Harry


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pondering on each word, seems the final stage of meditation....when the fly is ready to be taken by the frog...but the title says otherwise.
seems deeper than what i can comprehend...please help.
warm wishes,
D.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (00:57:17)

Hi Deepali...in zen there is no stages of meditation...there is just meditation...that's what the word zen means...comes from the Chinese word chan...sanskrit Dhyana? Zazen is sitting meditation the experience of which should become part of your daily life...thus zen. Beginners mind is the mind that isn't full of memories...isn't attached and thus can learn...like a child I guess...haha.
Many many thanks D.
Cheers...Harry


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Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by deepali on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:12:00)

Got it. Thanks!
D.


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thought provoking

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (00:58:01)

I'm glad...a million thanks Ronald.
Cheers...Harry


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Ten words speakin' fifteen thousand in our minds. Wow!

wabl
KenMoore
cowboypoet

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (00:58:42)

Haha...thanks so very much Ken.
Cheers...Harry


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took it literally harry, as i'm all metaphoricalled ( is there such a word? ha ha ) out today. as my hound is waiting for our friend mr froggy to wake up from hibernation and keeps staring at my pond waiting...hey, maybe i did get metaphoricalized after all ha ha - splendid, my friend...as always - paul and hound and woodstock and mr froggy.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:00:18)

What a great word you have come up with Paul
Better a frog than a cane toad...a big thanks mate.
Cheers...Harry


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Love the twist with this one. Well done. Pete. LOL .

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:01:18)

G'day Pete...glad you enjoyed...thanks very much.
Cheers...Harry


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wow, Harry. just, wow...i'm speechless.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:09:39)

You are very kind Chris...thank you my friend.
Cheers...Harry


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Picture perfect, Harry...
Cheers, Mary Ann

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:08:44)

I thank you very very much Mary Ann.
Cheers...Harry


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Fav+ 10 Harry. Truly a remarkable Haiku, Are you referring to the scientist Suzuki? As I did enjoy his programs and was un aware of such a loss to the world. Peace be yours dAVE

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:12:45)

Thank you a million dAVE...no not that Suzuki...very popular name in Japan...like Smith haha...Shunryu was a Zen monk who taught zen in the USA during 60's...Beginner's Mind is a very famous book published by his American students.
Cheers...Harry


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Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by dav.smith on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:34:56)

Thanks I shall seek him out. Cheers dAVE


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Just exactly what I like to see. I never grow tired of the frog and fly. Simplistic and meaningful. Awesome write Harry. Michelle

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:13:55)

I'm a big frog fan...and snails...thank you so very much Michelle.
Cheers...Harry


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Hi, I just joined today and was delighted to find this poem. I also practice Buddhism and find the image of the old fly hits close to home. I practice in the Tibetan tradion and just posted a poem on the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Reading over both poems I wonder to what extent the traditions we practice influence the style we choose when writing about them? Dan

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:16:11)

Welcome to GPLand Dan. I will check out your poetry my friend...I actually was introduced to Buddhism via Tibetan School here in Adelaide some 25 years ago. Many thanks for reading my friend.
Cheers...Harry


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Awesome in its simplicity Harry. A real Gem. Fond Regards. Mark.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:17:05)

Hullo Mark...happy new year. Many many thanks mate.
Cheers...Harry


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Looking forward to his death
the still fly
sits in wisdom.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:18:20)

The old fly knows that it's coming...haha.
A great big thanks Gail.
Cheers...Harry


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Outstanding..the wisdom of knowing and accepting the inevitable.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:19:00)

Thank you so very much Hugh.
Cheers...Harry


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Can't really add to what others have said, but I presume this is a sort of development of the famous Basho haiku, which gives it even more depth. Marvellous work, Harry.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:20:46)

I do like Basho's use of the frog and satori...splash! Thank you very much Rory.
Cheers...Harry


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I looked at this, this morning before I left home for the day; I wanted to see what others had to say.

Why would a fly look forward to death?
For sure the fly does not want to die.
Does the fly even know it is waiting on the frog?
It is not like someone said, "Wait here fly for the frog.
Flies and frogs are only mechanisms in a clock,
that nature put together.

The still fly sits in wisdom? I think not. Sits smelling for a fresh pile. For sure the fly may get ambushed while waiting; but death is not what the fly is waiting for. We are the only ones waiting on death.

BWP...

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 (01:27:49)

Hullo James...Haha...no the old fly is Suzuki who up until the day before he died in the California still sat in meditation with his students even though his liver was hardly functioning...whenever he was asked if he had experienced satori (enlightenment) he always said no and smiled...so mwhat is the frog?
Many many thanks James.
Cheers...Harry


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Beauty, Harry. Cheers!

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Sunday, January 08, 2012 (22:15:28)

Hullo Ramon...a great big thanks mate.
Cheers...Harry


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Brilliant .

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Sunday, January 08, 2012 (22:14:33)

A million thanks kanica.
Cheers...Harry


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WOW!!!

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Sunday, January 08, 2012 (22:13:04)

Hullo my old friend mamta...thank you.
Peace...Harry


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Like, what I don't get is like why is the fly silent? I mean like usually ain't they buzzin? And like why is waitin for the frog? Like, has it lost its reason as well as its voice. Lovely, Cheers M.

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Sunday, January 08, 2012 (22:11:55)

Haha...many many thanks Mark.
Cheers...Harry


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a cute one i liked it kind of makes my mind stop and think a bit..thank you for your comment on my poem

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 (00:15:36)

I am glad it made you think...a big thanks S.
Peace & Laughter...Harry


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this is tooo cute

Re: Beginner's Mind (for Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) (Score: 1 ) by badmalthus on Thursday, January 26, 2012 (20:58:42)

Haha...thanks a bunch S.
Peace & Laughter...Harry


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I love Suzuki. I almost wrote, "I loved Suzuki", but changed my mind. Beginner's Mind changed the way I saw things in the world. That old fly is dear.

perfection lies within it, tks