Don’t Think -vs- Think yourself
Almost crèche like joke among the Zennist is this contradiction.
Think yourself yet still Don’t think. Well, here is a typical sample.
This is an Electronic multi-meter, and the matter here is its cables. Some of you might think
“What the matter to fuss about such trivial things” and you may say “Anyhow, when we use next time,
we need to loose the cables anyway. Why bother to tidying up each time ?” —– still in the same time,
you may remember the past trouble of entangled cables with other wire. And when the cable was left
loose on the work bench, you may needed to un-entangle them while wasting the time which was
always in the busiest moment. And in the worst situation, try to pull the cable out, then it was broken,
and in such moment you don’t have a spare. In any account, it is better to keep the cable tidy.
No one can argue or think otherwise.
Not told by others, what you thought and convinced by yourself,
its understanding stays for ever.
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This is the end of argument and the THINKING process. Once you were convinced,
just DO IT in practice. (—– only an obstacle is your laziness. 🙂
But, if you a person, aiming better, you will DO IT. Why not. This is THE ZEN.)
—– in practice, once you made it as a habit = after use, always just put the cable back to round
the meter and tie it up with the tape. (to make it like in the photo ! )
It is a simple practice hence, no-one need to think or use the brain to do it.
—– the hand will do it automatically as a habit. = When everything are tidy, there
wouldn’t be any havoc on the work. —– This is how “Peace of mind” comes from. 🙂
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Lord Buddha’s teachings are all for gaining the NO SELF, and MUSHIN state of mind.
To be in this state, everything has to be left to the subconscious hence NO conscious thinking there.
Because of this, he showed how he does it and made the followers to copy, or gave an instruction
what to DO. But never explained why, or what was the intention. Simply because, if it was
explained, the person remember the word, then an action become “an action according to the word”
= stuck to its notion / Thinking.
This is the reason why, if you think, Sitting is for a practice of Mushin, you are wrong.
If you sit, just sit. = If you settle your bottom on the floor, that is what sitting is. You don’t need any
thinking. —– In fact, it doesn’t matter, whether you are standing or walking.
= Just let the body to DO, stand or walk.
Without your thinking, your body knows everything how to keep balance while sitting or walking
whatsoever. This automatic, inherent perfect control was seen as the Dharma.
(Hence, the Dharma is in you !)
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Then, what you can see or find in the state of absolute Selfless, Mushin —– So far,
NO clear description was ever elucidated by anyone.
Just say, the state of Panya Paramita. —– there might be NOTING.
Or, this Nothing may be the ultimate wisdom what human being can ever get.
So to say, the Dharma is everything, in the same time it is nothing = VOID.
(If you think, it is a matter for you.—– But, if you don’t think, there is no issue here. 😀 😀 )
How great, Zen is. — don’t you agree ? Ha ha ha. 😀
___/\___
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Handmade Flash System (1) — Flash with Umbrella
Among my flash system, this is the one I’ve been using the most.
Most (not exactly all) of the photos of table-top shot kind in this blog such as
cooking samples has been photographed using this flash system.
And some party shot such as Capricorn Party was shot by this as well.
The base of this system is an Agfa 383CS flash-light (but actually it was made by Japanese Nisshin)
which takes SCA300 camera interface adapter (so, I used to use the adapter for Nikon, Canon, Contax
etc etc. for TTL compatible type, AF compatible type etc etc.) though, as the camera evolved so rapidly
and their control system became too complicated, hence, those system became obsolete in mid 80s.
—– still, this flash itself has External Auto as well, and of cause the full out-put manual and minimal
(somewhat 1/20th) for rapid fire. And on top of this, it got additional front flash to give
“Catch-light in Eyes” when used with bounce-light !
The rotating head has rotating diffuser as well which spread the light coverage from 35mm lens to
24mm lens. —– Almost everything what most of the user needs.
(As far as I know, this is the most well thought-out flash, ever made.
And after nearly 30 years use, it is still in full working order = its reliability is remarkable ! )
But, unless the subjects are more than 5m away, to take picture with a straight
flash-light mounted on camera —– is what I don’t do. If a light was placed next to
the eyes, similar to Head-lamp, there will be no shadow on the subject.
It is the most unnatural lighting. —– For the most of the subject I needed to work with,
(think, a portrait kind in an interview situation, or to capture a dining scene in a restaurant) is
about 1~2m distance. Other shot such as whole room, restaurant, shop etc will be covered by
another more powerful flash(s) or even studio type flash-light placed somewhere in the side.
Therefore, to photograph the subject in talking-distance, I modified my flash-light
to take an umbrella reflector.
Thence, I could create a photo, looks more natural 45 degree lighting, top lighting etc
with just a swing of my hand —– it’s mean, to operate the camera by right hand only = (before
camera was fully automatised with Auto-focus, it was a bit of special skill. —- think about, such as
Pentax 6×7 or Hasselbrad in one-hand operation with almost studio quality lighting, without the
cost of assistant. 😀 —– and that was how I nearly monopolized Japanese business here. 😉 )
The modification of the flash-light was just done by a simple cut and put-together
aluminium piece kind of work which you can see from the photos.
—– May be the most peculiar part must be the Umbrella.
This is the umbrella only one in the world = specially hand made by a craftsman who has been
making studio flash umbrella for such as Kishin Shinoyama etc. The craftsman had happened to
have his family business, selling and repairing the umbrella in Roppongi of Tokyo, where many
photo-studio situated. Since the photographer who brought back an umbrella from the west asked
him to repair or even to make the same, he became the only Craftsman catering those needs in Tokyo.
For him, my requirement to make such small (diameter 50cm) umbrella was, of cause first ever
funny request. Nevertheless, I got the one what I wanted = literally pocket size Umbrella. 😀
(You may find 70cm size which is using child umbrella frame) —– (In fact, I’ve experimented to
make small one, such as using only half of collapsible umbrella or toy umbrella etc.)
—– the reason is obvious, if you got to move around with umbrella, it catch or hit anything =
the smaller the better though, if it is too small, it wouldn’t work as a diffuser.
The size has to be the same size of the spread of light from flash in its distance. )
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Most of the Umbrella adopter for a small Flash, fix the umbrella facing straight to the flash.
My design aiming the flash from the bottom, hence some light escape from the umbrella still,
the light intensity is only 2 F-stop drop. Considering the diffused ligh covering
almost Fish-eye lens, the efficiency is not too bad at all !
(In fact the escaped light is bounced back from the ceiling, also contribute some good effect 🙂 )
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With the age of very advanced DSLR, which got ISO speed even 25,000, it is easy to produce
the photo only with available light and it looks natural of cause. But in the other hand the skill
to manipulate the image, intentionally hide something in the dark, kind is all left to
the after process of PS. Though the trouble is, PS often looks too unnatural.
Resorting natural light still end-up unnatural image is not very funny. 😀
Because of the shadow, we know the significance and the meaning of the Light.
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Photos in Tone
Nature has its own tone, under rather subdued light, it’s shows subtle shade.
Shape and its 3D structure may not as clear like the image under the direct light though,
we are not necessary need to see such detail.
Subtle shade seemed to show more of what they are as it is.
Just see and appreciate as they are, without imposing my view is in fact less tiring and
able to relax. After all, the photos here are not for any scientific or reference purpose.
They are just what they are today as I’m here on this moment.
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Robot astronaut Kirobo
This is an article from Gizmag —– it looks cute and interesting story.
—– Even a grown-up astronaut, not a Hary-Potters kids, feel comfort talking with robot
might be a reflection of Japanese Shinto religion, which sees the spirit in any beings.
Robot astronaut Kirobo headed for ISS in August
By David Szondy
June 26, 2013
The video below (in Japanese) shows Kirobo going through its paces.
Source: Toyota
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Cuckoo’s Spit
I think the plant is Lavender, and every year, it seems a lots of Cuckoo came here
and have a spit fight. (Some says it was not Cuckoo but a snake 🙂 )
Still, inside, the nymphs of Frog-hopper ( Cercopoidea) called Spittlebugs are growing
while sucking the sup from the plant, and making a bubble foam to hide.
May be strong taste of Lavender repel another insects. The photo, center shows a
Frog-hopper just left a froth home, then the body color darken. (right photo)
This insect is, despite its minute size, ( you believe or not) a cousin of Cicada, hence
they are a miniature version of their cousin, and having the same habit to suck a sup.
(Though, I don’t know how this insect coming back next year —- egg stays somewhere
(inside of plant ?) or the female pass over a winter ? —– Does anybody know ? )
Nature’s system and it’s life cycle always fascinates me. — Even such minute fragile life
has their own system to weather the element and manage the continuation of species
—– for millions of years ! Has they got wisdom let alone a brain ? Or all in their GENE ?
How those GENE has been programmed ?
—– So, the Buddhist calls it the Dharma. System and the governing rules.
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Eucalyptus and Bumble Bee
Eucalyptus are very common in this country still not well known with it’s flowers.
This one bloom every year on their hedge of one of neighbours. And when it bloom,
the Bumble Bees are frantic, literally as busy as bee. Never pose to a camera. 😀
Eucalyptus only came from Australia. In the same extent, Protea only came from
South Africa. —– Still, such as Tree fern or Cycad can come from both countries.
Because those living fossil plants spread all over one big continents called Pangaea
which was separated to Africa, Australia, America etc. together with their plants.
(then their own peculiar plants evolved separately).
( Plants on Pangaea didn’t have flower —– where is the origin of flowering Gene ? ? ? )
—– So, it’s interesting, why the honeys from those plants are still the same ? ? ? 🙂
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Buddha’s Silence
After I wrote [Moksa / Moksha] I had some talk with a man who is a staunching believer of
“to gain higher conscious to attain enlightenment, to escape from the cycle of re-birth”.
—– naturally he didn’t like my view of that the current Buddhism is a mixed-up.
[]
While wondering why the people couldn’t understand such obvious historical fact and rational
conclusion. I try to see the Wiki kind in the net, to see what others are writing about what
Lord Buddha’s silence toward the question. (I normally refer to the collection of Buddhism
scriptures in modern Japanese translation) — then I found those writers in Wiki kind, often use the
term “Samsara” etc. which is a Hindu term, and the use of the word such as [SELF] was rather in
casual way. I realized, this must be yet another case of “writer is not necessary understand
what the [Selflessness] in the original teachings”.
[]
Lord Buddha’s silence said to be occurred in two kind of questions.
One was about the world or space, whether it is infinite and eternal or not.
And the other was such as what would happen to the Spirit or the Self after the death.
—– a funny connection to those questions, I remember an episode in the Agama Sutra, which I
wrote in a post [Three times Buddha] there could be a fixed attitude in
Lord Buddha’s responce.
After try to teach in tree different approaches, if they didn’t work, he just stop to talk.
[]
Lord Buddha’s teachings about the SELF was nothing like other Guru or Philosophers’, such as
theoretical argument of “if the self exists —- blah blah” “if not blah blah—” but
a definite phenomenon exists in our mind (brain) such as I wrote in a post
[ Selflessness demonstrated]. —– This is the very Selflessness what
Lord Buddha had based on in his teachings. This was the reason why the another episode
[Test of Selflessness] existed. — (Of cause, on the assumption, those episodes are true historical
event ) as I explained, this Selflessness (in fact virtually all of his teachings) was not a subject of
logical argument but just to be sublimated to the depth of unconsciousness and just to be.
Like “Honesty” it’s not a matter of understanding the meaning of word. Just Don’t lie.
The only rule was Just do it, Just be it. No question. No thinking.
= If the one was really in Selfless state, no question of such as “After death” could arise.
( Being oneself without having even a conscious to be oneself, no separate objective view toward
the self, let alone to the future after the death. —– no such mind could exists)
Honest man never think, nor need to think about the eyes of other people.
—– therefore, when he was asked the very question, he must be very
annoyed, hence ignored it and kept silence.
Even a conscious of self is not in the living body, how it could remain after the death.
(Self is a product of intentional thinking = delusion. Hence, when the producer dies, its product too)
And as all the existences are inter-dependent and keep changing, how could we know
how far it extend and what happenes next moment = as nothing would last for ever.
(—- Don’t you remember what I’ve taught ? Don’t ask obvious question again ! )
Lord Buddha didn’t even explain why he smiled, nor he would why he didn’t answer.
___/\___
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(The trouble of those Wiki authors are, that they are thinking the SELF is yet another
existence. But, in the original Buddhism teachings, the matter was its NON existence.
= talk about what not there is pointless. —– in fact, it indicates, that they are not
Buddhism scholar but probably Hindu writer who is familiar with the idea of “Atoman”
Lord Buddha’s Selflessness is the VOID of it, unlike an idea of Box contains “Kind Mind”
or “Self-Sacrificing Mind” “Supreme Holy Mind” etc. —— but Box itself is NOT there. )
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Images in Hackney / Fish-eye Vision
Those are the photos, which I’ve clicked the camera on the street of Hackney.
As the default of the optical design, the image was heavily distorted.
Which people dubbed as fish-eye lens effect.
Some people hate this effect saying too unnatural —- ? is it ?
Everybody knows perspective. If you see a thing in distance, it looks smaller.
Assuming, you are standing on front of a huge building, 50m tall and 100m wide.
You are standing from the central door abut 25m or so distance, facing the
building straight. = From this stance, you can just see whole building in one picture.
The building spread side to side about 120~140 degree in angle on your view.
The center of building looks so high on front of you. —– yet far away, you can see
the end of building = it looks not as high as in the center, because of perspective.
While you are standing and able to see whole building in one picture —– Don’t
you think something wrong ? = Despite the building was built with straight lines
both end of the same building looks smaller in the same time. = ONLY a conclusion
is “You are not able to see straight line as a straight line = it’s bent down in both end”
In fact, as the eyes are ball-shaped, we never see straight line in our optical image,
except the one run straight in the center. All the straight lines are in the imagination,
or “Re-construction” in our visual cortex in the brain.
So, I would say, this is our natural vision. = only the center of our eyes shows
straight line, and the both end of image, lines are converging = above, down ward,
below, up ward = you see —– or ARE you still clinging your illusion ?
Ha ha ha. I’m kidding. 😀
(In real life, if you see a straight line looked carved, you got to see a doctor.
Despite we definitely having blind-spot in each eyes, no body see any blank in
our vision, our brain re-configuring the visual signal perfect (well, more or less)
we see the straight building straight — in fact, what is “to see it as it is in open eyes”
a good question. 😀 )
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Hackspace
There is a gathering place and their work shop for the electronic hackers called
Hackspace in Hackney, London. —– Why Hackspace in Hackney may not have
any connection and I’m not interested in pun. 😀
And this evening, a group of enthusiast of Arduino (ready to use programmable
controller) demonstrate what he has done.
(A guy in the photo right was going to demonstrate how he programmed an
Arduino device to control his industrial robot)
(They got quite hefty collection of books which may cover all the question ! )
To deal with even the same electronics, there are hundred of different approaches.
Some are purely pursuit how the electronics work, others are to achieve the
purpose, by utilizing the electronics, electro-mechanics —– and to use it in
likely way to the most unlikely way etc etc. the possibilities are literally endless.
Other group, Dorkbot is a group using the electronics, electrics in rather strange way,
or they may say, more artistic way 😀 —– And I’m saying my sculptures are often
happen to move —– to make it, it often need to have a mechanism and its controller,
in most of the case it was done by the electro-mechanics. (It could be done with pure
clock-work as well though, it would be more time-consuming to make)
One of the largest group, this Hackspace are having 700 members and two floor
huge space in a building, of which basement is for storage and a GOOD workshop.
It seems, quite few heavy machineries were donated by the academic institute such as
Imperial College (when they got new one, old one has to go somewhere, anyway 🙂 )
And the place is 24 hours open for the members to use the space and work shop,
otherwise just come and chat ! —— for a monthly pay of £5 ~£15 depend on
how often you suppose to use. (Can you believe ! )
Their website is —– Hackspace (link)
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Moksa / Moksha
Time to time I encounter the people who use a word Moksa or Moksha.
Most of the case they are not a Buddhist but somewhat around of it, such as Herbalist,
Acupuncturist, Psychoanalyst, or so-called New-age type of people who knew or read
something about “Higher state of Consciousness” kind. (Buzz word “Higher” would
satisfy the Ego = I’m better than others. 😀 —– thus, able to sell more books)
Yet still, a sect of Buddhism, Theravada who supposed to maintain the older form of
Buddhism, is using this word Moksha instead of Nirvana.
[]
Even among the Mahayana Buddhists, their understanding of the Buddhism is to deal with
this endless cycle of re-birth / Samsara, and to close this cycle is the Nirvana.
And most of the Buddhists believe, this is the fundamentals of the Buddhism.
This must be the biggest blunder and a fraud in the human history.
[]
This matter has been the most grievous headache to decipher Buddhism to me.
Lord Buddha’s teaching has broken the tradition and the popular belief of the
perpetual soul. As everything is in the Karma, relating and depending each
other, non can remain for ever. Naturally, when the body has died, the mind,
the soul resided in there, ceased to exist = So, this is the end of the suffering of
the person, hence it is the Nirvana.
So that, how come, why after one’s death, the person
has to suffer rebirth, to keep having the trouble of so-called Samsara ? ? ?
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Utterly contrary to popular belief, the idea of Samsara was not what
Lord Buddha taught. —– I haven’t traced all of his words in the scriptures still,
just give a rational thought, it is obviously THE self-contradiction of which NO
Lord Buddha would have made.
Lord Buddha might have used the word “Samsara” for a sake of convenience,
when he talked to mass audience who was not educated but
at least know it mean the trouble of the life. —– Assuming, if
Lord Buddha said, “My teaching will save you from the trouble of Smsara”
—– What he meant was “Trouble of the IDEA of Samsara” since,
such IDEA itself is nothing but a false DELUSION which fooled the people.
Lord Buddha needed to teach and save the people who has been suffering
from a fear of such deluded IDEA, saying ” Don’t worry no such re-birth
would ever happen, since the soul wouldn’t remain after the death” (But
people’s fear is a cash-cow of Guru and Monks, they changed the story)
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It seemed, this “Story-Change” had happened in the earliest stage of the Buddhism history,
long before even the Agama Sutra was written. Considering that Theravada sect is using
a word Moksha which was originated from a popular Cult then who taught the idea of
Samsara and the Moksa, this mixed-up must be happened long before the birth of
Mahayana Buddhism.
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The IDEA of said ancient Cult was that all the life-form born as its own stage of progression
from the lowest to highest, hence this idea became the Cast System in the Hinduism.
And according to the one’s deed, if the one did good enough, the one will reborn in the higher
cast but did bad goes back to the lower, even down to be a beast. This cycle of Rebirth is
the Samsara, and only the highest will get ultimate Moksa to end this cycle.
Lord Buddha totally against this IDEA, hence in his Sangha, all the followers were
treated as equal (NO cast), and he taught, ultimate goal can be reached in one life
as Nirvana (NOT the Hindu idea of Moksa which may takes several lives to reach ).
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Lord Buddha’s teachings were “How to acquire the mind-set [Detachment
= Mushin, Selflessness] to deal with harsh reality in life, and to see the TRUTH”.
= The Truth, “No such things like SELF exists, hence nothing to be Reincarnated”
and to live in this truthful life, the one can reach peaceful Nirvana.
He did not teach a product of imagination, far from it, he fought against it.
—– If you believe otherwise, please show me a FACT of Rebirth.
Lord Buddha was not such idiot to teach dubious imaginary story.
___/\___
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