I’m coming across this just as I’m revisiting some concepts from Internal Family Systems, which feels like a skillful way of naming the parts of us that come forward to drive less-than-helpful behaviors. I like the language of IFS that suggests we simply thank those parts and then ask them to step back a bit vs kicking them out of the “family” entirely. It feels non-aggressive. I’m still pondering the further implications for my Buddhist practice though. Grateful for all of your notes here.
I’m glad you found my musings, Ryan. Perhaps they’ll prove helpful as you continue exploring.
I’ll say that I’m not comfortable with aggressive approaches to Zen practice. Kobun Chino, Roshi, encouraged environments that were less like pressure cookers and more like slow cookers.
I remind myself of that often, especially when I feel a sharp edge appearing …
I’m glad I found them too! And I love that metaphor. As well as your metaphors on gardening—and the unavoidable nature of wilting and weeds. I wrote about that notion around this same time last year.
Yes, it seems to be that these internal ‘resistances’ never go away. They seem to be hard wired into the system. But yet, I don’t have to align my consciousness with them all the time. The trick, for me, is to ask myself at any given moment: where am I operating from right now? Man, more often than not I have slipped back into an ‘unforgiving’ state full of fear and resentment. At least I can catch it and make corrections. I spent most of my life believing the state of ‘resistance’ was all there was…..
I’m coming across this just as I’m revisiting some concepts from Internal Family Systems, which feels like a skillful way of naming the parts of us that come forward to drive less-than-helpful behaviors. I like the language of IFS that suggests we simply thank those parts and then ask them to step back a bit vs kicking them out of the “family” entirely. It feels non-aggressive. I’m still pondering the further implications for my Buddhist practice though. Grateful for all of your notes here.
I’m glad you found my musings, Ryan. Perhaps they’ll prove helpful as you continue exploring.
I’ll say that I’m not comfortable with aggressive approaches to Zen practice. Kobun Chino, Roshi, encouraged environments that were less like pressure cookers and more like slow cookers.
I remind myself of that often, especially when I feel a sharp edge appearing …
I’m glad I found them too! And I love that metaphor. As well as your metaphors on gardening—and the unavoidable nature of wilting and weeds. I wrote about that notion around this same time last year.
https://ryanroseweaver.substack.com/p/7-watching-the-light
Kitchens and gardens have so much to teach us about all kinds of tending, don’t they?
Indeed! In fact, Dōgen Zenji wrote at some length about the practice of the Tenzo (Head Cook) in monastic environments.
https://www.redcedarzen.org/resources/Documents/study/Tenzo%20Kyokun%20(Foulk).pdf
Oooh. Looking forward to digging into this. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it seems to be that these internal ‘resistances’ never go away. They seem to be hard wired into the system. But yet, I don’t have to align my consciousness with them all the time. The trick, for me, is to ask myself at any given moment: where am I operating from right now? Man, more often than not I have slipped back into an ‘unforgiving’ state full of fear and resentment. At least I can catch it and make corrections. I spent most of my life believing the state of ‘resistance’ was all there was…..
Good stuff friend!! 🙏
I know the feeling! My question (asked with much energy) is: What am I doing here?!
Thank you for reading, as always. 🙏