AboutStuart 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
Question I know this may sound stupid but i really need some relief now.
I once went in front of a buddha statue and asked a question from the statue.Asking whether my girlfriend will ever leave me I accidently said yes and i keep dwelling on that thought thinking why i accidently said yes i wasnt thinking straight. You no my mind keeps interpreting it in a way that it was something magical. Can this happen or is it up to me to keep my girlfriend. And can you ask favours from buddhist statues and also is it possible that there was a reason i said yes.
Please i really need some relief from this.
Can we have some kind of connection with the Buddha......
Answer The true Buddha isn't a statue. Buddha is your true self, and the true self of all beings. The Buddha-statue is a reminder to look into your true self, and to help other beings.
If you want something, you can look into your own thinking and question why you want it. If you want to attain something, you can apply your own effort to it, rather than expecting something magical to come from outside.
In other words: yes, it's up to you to keep your girlfriend. It'd be very helpful if you make sure that your desire isn't only for yourself, but rather think about what's best for your girlfriend. When you focus your efforts on being kind to another being (not just getting what you want for yourself), then everyone, including you, will end up happier.
