Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site mgweed.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!we13!mgweed!wfs From: wfs@mgweed.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Zen and Intuitive Response(part 3) Message-ID: <1414@mgweed.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 08:45:47 EDT Article-I.D.: mgweed.1414 Posted: Thu Jun 16 08:45:47 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jun-83 06:16:08 EDT Organization: Western Electric - Montgomery Illinois Lines: 28 Zen and Intuitive Response(Part 3) Intuition-a direct perception of a truth or fact independent of reasoning or logistical support, an immediate apprehension of experience that defies rational inquiry. But because of this elusiveness from the rational intellect, Western culture has sublimated instincts and intuitive hunches and encouraged us to disregard them as too imprecise, abstract and nebulous for our overbearing, rationalizing intellect. Zen says it is this Western insistence of intellect as the preferred partner over instinct and intuition that is essentially responsible for a state of exist- tial paralysis; insofar as consciousness does not trust its reflexive intuitive responses in those very instances when they are more reliable and expedient than logistics or rationalization. Graduation exercises at the Shaolin Monastery were indicative of the imphasis put on the intuitive reponse. As part of a student's final exam, he was required to navigate through a long, dark passageway strewn with devices and boobytraps arranged to test the student's intuitive/reflexive reaction. The nature and immediacy of running this gauntlet left the student little time to plan a defense or apply a technique. His only saving grace was how well he was in tune with his inner feeling and instinctual moves. This exercise conveyed to the student that reason and logic could not always be depended upon to deliver them from unfavorable impending circumstances; it is therefore necessary to cultivate an open consciousness to the inner voice, so that it will guide and move us when the intellect is stifled......(cont'd. in part 4)