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language, is dhyana, or Zen in Japanese.
Contemplation is the way of the philosopher. He thinks it over. It is not beyond mind, it is within mind. He may be very sophisticated, his words may be arranged beautifully, but he cannot understand what meditation is; he can only understand contemplation. The very word `contemplation' means thinking about higher things. But if you don't know those things, what can you think about?
Contemplation is one of the most empty words. If you know, you know; there is no need to contemplate. If you don't know, how can you contemplate? What are you going to contemplate? What is going to be your subject matter? You are simply groping in darkness and calling it contemplation.
He certainly is acquainted with the scriptures, very well acquainted, but he is committing the same mistake millions of teachers around the world have committed. First:
IF YOU WANT TO BE FREE FROM THIS WORLD OF SUFFERING...
Can you find a person who does not want to be free from suffering? There is no question about it. Everybody wants to get rid of suffering, misery.
The way that Torei suggests is, FIRST YOU MUST CONTEMPLATE IMPERMANENCE. It won't help. You can think everything is impermanent: birth is impermanent, youth is impermanent, wealth is impermanent; life itself is running out. Everything is impermanent. That does not mean it will take you out of suffering. It simply makes you more aware that while there is time, enjoy as much as you can, because time is passing and death is not far away.
Strangely enough, the same argument is given by Charvakas, the Indian atheists. They say, "Everything is fleeting, so don't waste time in temples, in rituals, just eat, drink and be merry. And if you don't have money, borrow money, because after death everyone is finished, nobody is going to ask for his money back. After death, in the graveyard everybody sleeps soundly. The man who borrowed the money and the man who gave the money both are dead. So don't miss a single moment. Enjoy it, even if it is to be enjoyed on borrowed money."
The statement in Sanskrit is very beautiful. The statement says, no one who has gone
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