HUI-HAI

You know the first thing that popped in my head after reading this, was the bald guy in the full white cloak. The monks walking around so swiftly and peacefully, but in a way look brain dead. When seeing in movies, the monks being so quiet and almost separated from the world, made me wonder. Reading this short speech and questionnaire gave me a little more insight. Wouldn't it be nice to live like this. Never worrying about anything in your past or future. Practically meditating everyday, 24 hours a day. One only wishes they didn't have to worry about the future. As much as I liked the writing, I can't agree with it. Don't get me wrong I would love to be able to live my days with zero worries and dwell on nothing. But, Hui-Hai saying you can't dwell on absolutely nothing is a little far fetched these days.

Hui-Hai explains that we have nothing to search for. That all the answers come within your own mind. What I do like is how he talks about how you should never dwell on the past. We all try to do this in our lives, and we should. If you dwell on something it only brings stress and hardships to your well being. When asked what it means to non-dwell Hui responds by saying, "Dwelling upon nothing means that the mind doesn't remain with good or evil, being or non-being, inside or outside, emptiness or non-emptiness, concentration or distraction" (57). Basically saying that you shouldn't dwell on absolutely nothing. Oh man would i love to be able to do that. I think I might try doing that more when I'm trying to sleeep. HA HA.

"As long as your mind dwells upon nothing, there is nothing you can attach yourself to" (58). Well theres a true statement if ever saw one. I think that we need attachment to things. Maybe less at certain times or to certain things. But I almost look at Hui thinkings of your mind and non-dwelling as a state of being asleep. You know when you have had a long day and you lay down to go to sleep and everything kind of goes away for the next 6 to 8 hours. What Hui is saying is that we should be like that when we are awake. Most certainly do I think that we should definitly dwell on things less. But, its rather almost impossible to live with no dwelling whatsoever. The quote that made me laugh a little bit was, "If your mind wanders away, don't follow it; your mind will stop wandering by itself" (58).