Zen and Satori: Enlightenment

Sorry I cannot comment on your essays. I am going through a lot of post cancer pains. I can't seem to work on my books, screenplays or creative non-fictions.

My pains are increasing daily...

I just performed Solo at an Asian Festival with about 10 weapons. I improvised and people loved it.

When I am performing I am free. . .

In Seven Samurai, Takeshi Shimura as the head samurai, Kambei, personifies an enlightened warrior. Indeed at thezenmonk.jpg beginning, he shaves his head and pretends to be a monk in order to save someone, showing his selfless manner. This foreshadows his role in the film.

Although in zen enlightenment is always "self" earned. The master is always necessary at least as a guide to the boat. The student must enter the vessel and pass over to the other side alone.

Satori

Satori, enlightenment, is only obtained by one's effort or non-effort. In several films, the master/student relationship was explored by Kurosawa.

The answer cannot be taught, yet the master can show the direction toward the answer. There is a point where the student is lost and is at the breaking point.

Kufu

Kufu, "sort of spiritual birth pang, " occurs (D.T. Suzuki Zen and Japanese Culture 178). Although spiritual enlightenment may not have been reached by these students, some sort of growth did occur.

Note that the actors Takashi Shimura and Toshio Mifune often reprised their roles in several films.

Asian Festival : Dr. Wayne Stein from Samurai Club just performed . . .