Anonymous

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hat their value is
in the experience rather than thinking about or discussing the experience. If
this seems vague or esoteric, it shuld be considered in the same way as or
riding a bicycle, both of which improve with practice rather than with
discussion. Although we usually know that this is true, many people
nevertheless do discuss how they swim, cycle, paint, etc, but the reason is
quite often to seek the approval or praise of others. Whilst it can be
constructive to receive honest criticism, when we request it, we usually hope
that it will be favourable, and we therefore need to ask ourselves what is our
true motive for asking. It should not surprise us if we find that the answer is
insecurity.

It is a strong Zen belief that insecurity is a major inhibiter of human
development, and that the 'establishment' or ruling faction is most social
structures use insecurity as a means of gaining and retaining control over their
members. In brief, many people will be prepared to accept considerable lack of
personal growth for the sake of security, particularly since we cannot have
experienced the result of growth or development which has not yet occurred ...
so it is that many of us settle for the security which results from what we
believe is the 'status quo'. Zen teaches that there is no real security other
than that which we can find or develop within ourselves. The advice given in
the precepts is quite simply,
"Seek security within yourself,
rather than in others."

Whilst many people spend a lifetime seeking a security which in reality does not
exist, others might spend their time in a tranquil way, neither seeking nor
finding others. Whilst neither of these is strictly a Zen Taoist path, the
latter is certainly closer to Taoist teaching than the first. However, it is a
Zen Taoist teaching that although we should not strive with egotistical motive,
life can be much more rewarding, both to...