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Buddhists/astral travel

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Expert: - 3/20/2009


Question
Is astral travel considered important in zen?  If someone naturally had the ability would it be considered a distraction in Zen.  Any info would be helpful.

Answer
Zen is a practice of seeing for yourself, not following the ideas or values of anyone else. So the question is: is astral travel important to you? If so, WHY? Where is it you want to get to? Is where you are right now not enough? If you do need to get somewhere else... why not use a car, a bike, or walking? These alternatives seem much much simpler than concerning yourself with "astral travel," whatever that may be.

What are you? Why are you alive? How can you relate to others in a clear and compassionate way? Those are the important issues.

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Stuart Resnick

Expertise

I'm a long-time practitioner in a Korean-style Zen school. I can answer questions regarding Zen, formal sitting meditation, self-inquiry, the practice of "koan" transmission, and offer the particular perspective of this school on the great life questions.

Experience

18 years of formal practice with the Kwan Um School of Zen, currently with the Empty Gate Zen Center of Berkeley, currently a "Senior Dharma Teacher" at this center, I give periodic talks and informally answer questions of students interested in Zen practice and teaching style

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