F. Zen Arado

Relaxing with what 'Is': Interview with Zen Arado

I met with Zen Arado for this interview at his home in SL. Zen has been attending Play as Being sessions since January of 2009, his first session is here: 2009.01.17 13:00 - Dreams, meditation, everything in between.

Zen and I sit down at his home in SL...

SophiaSharon Larnia: hi Zen!
Zen Arado: Hi Again :)
Zen Arado: lets have a seat
SophiaSharon Larnia: ohh what a nice area! I love it here
SophiaSharon Larnia: ok, thank you!
SophiaSharon Larnia: this is lovely Zen.
SophiaSharon Larnia: your pet cat looks like my real life cat, a tuxedo cat :)
Zen Arado: I had a cat like that when I was little
Zen Arado: only with a white chest too
Zen Arado: I hardly ever use the place
SophiaSharon Larnia: nice to have, a place to get away
Zen Arado: yes - but I seem to spend all my time in meetings
SophiaSharon Larnia: can be in two worlds at the same time, so to speak, or listen to podcasts etc
Zen Arado: true and in Facebook and Twitter :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: that's a good thing, I spend a bit of time alone here
SophiaSharon Larnia: laughs, yes
Zen Arado: I should do more of that
Zen Arado: even just meditate here
SophiaSharon Larnia: :)
Zen Arado: I have a meditation hut I should put up again
SophiaSharon Larnia: nice thing about sl places, is you can put things up, take them down, and move them around, unlike in rl :)
Zen Arado: it's also a disadvantage though cos you always keep changing things:)
SophiaSharon Larnia: yep
Zen Arado: never happy with what I build
Zen Arado: keep fiddling with it
SophiaSharon Larnia: me either ;)
Zen Arado: or moving someplace else
SophiaSharon Larnia: maybe we are both perfectionists
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes :D
Zen Arado: maybe :)

First finding Play as Being, and Zen's experience in SL...

SophiaSharon Larnia: I found your first session at Play as Being, it was January 17 of 2009, wow!
Zen Arado: I first heard about PaB from Fael and Delani at a Buddhist meeting
Zen Arado: but I only went there because a friend invited me
SophiaSharon Larnia: it's great to be there with a friend present
Zen Arado: she was a guardian but left pab
Zen Arado: it wasn't quite what she wanted
Zen Arado: but I must have liked it :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: we look for different things in contemplative-type practices.
Zen Arado: true
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes I think you must've! :))
Zen Arado: I was in lots of Buddhist groups
SophiaSharon Larnia: in SL?
Zen Arado: yes
Zen Arado: but don't spend much time with them now
SophiaSharon Larnia: smiles
Zen Arado: I spent nearly 5 hours in PaB meetings yesterday
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh wow Friday is a busy day at the Pavilion!!!
Zen Arado: yes - Pema’s Time meeting, then Eliza's then Yaku's happy hour and the meeting after that
SophiaSharon Larnia: a lot of us see each other quite a bit

SophiaSharon Larnia: What kind of explorations or practice did you have before finding PaB?
SophiaSharon Larnia: there is a lot of joy in seeing each other frequently like that :))
Zen Arado: well, as I said - I went to Buddha Center, Kannonji, Skeptical Buddhists groups
Zen Arado: Skeptical Buddhists was the first
Zen Arado: still go there sometimes
Zen Arado: as the name suggests they have a kind of scientific approach to Buddhism
Zen Arado: don't like anything too 'religious'
SophiaSharon Larnia: and the 9 second practice is quite different.... Play as Being has a scientific focus too
Zen Arado: some similarities - yes

Experience with the 9 second meditations....

SophiaSharon Larnia: What were your first impressions of the nine seconds? The explorations?
Zen Arado: Pema encourages a more open approach that can encompass many diverse traditions
Zen Arado: I think anyway
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes!
Zen Arado: I saw the 9 second techniques as a useful technique for helping people to return to the present moment and not get so caught up in mind-generated abstract thoughts. But since I already had a Zen practice that emphasized meditation and living in the present moment and had read about and tried all sorts of spiritual techniques already, the 9 seconds technique did not seem so special to me as (possibly) to someone who had not had these experiences. Also, I have been attending 2 or 3 intensive zen retreats every year for the past 6 years.
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh wow, yes, so you are very immersed in this experience
Zen Arado: there are so many paths leading to the same thing
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes I've been taken aback by this idea so many times
Zen Arado: but Pema's idea is good because it is open to many who might be put off by the idea of Buddhism or Eastern philosophy
SophiaSharon Larnia: room for everyone on the square cushions ^^
Zen Arado: yep: )
Zen Arado: though it is probably more Buddhist oriented than anything I think
SophiaSharon Larnia: It seems that way sometimes, it’s hard to find the words to express our experience and buddhism has some words there, ready to be used (imho)
Zen Arado: the same ideas crop up in different formats
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh yes, patterns
Zen Arado: yes - like no-self, which is very important I think
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes!

Zen Arado: it's what got me into the Buddhist, Non-Duality area from philosophy
SophiaSharon Larnia: interesting
Zen Arado: i came across the idea in philosophy as 'personal identity'
SophiaSharon Larnia: you don't seem to have any difficulty in using words when you attend sessions
Zen Arado: no? I am not as fluent as some of you women I think :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: hahah
SophiaSharon Larnia: maybe more practiced at talking about it
Zen Arado: I need to practice conveying emotions more I think :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: well, I do remember seeing some of your art pieces not long ago
Zen Arado: as a substitute for body language
SophiaSharon Larnia: there is a lot of emotion expressed there
SophiaSharon Larnia: ah! interesting
Zen Arado: you should look at my gallery some time
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes! please? I haven't been there for a while
Zen Arado: I'll show you around it if you want

Zen talks about his art, a bit about what significance it has, and about his Gallery in SL...

Zen Arado: I will have to put some new stuff up soon
SophiaSharon Larnia: yes! I'd loved to take some pictures of it and post them with this interview
SophiaSharon Larnia: I was going to ask, but didn't know how you'd feel about that
Zen Arado: I don't publicize it much
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods
Zen Arado: don't know why
SophiaSharon Larnia: I understand, I think
Zen Arado: just never seem to get around to it
SophiaSharon Larnia: Your art is painting?
Zen Arado: yes
Zen Arado: pastel and oil mostly

SophiaSharon Larnia: Can you describe to me the sort of experiences you have while you are painting?
SophiaSharon Larnia: I'm very interested, actually ^^
Zen Arado: never thought much about that :)
Zen Arado: I just paint
SophiaSharon Larnia: I didn't mean to come out of left field, asking that
Zen Arado: used to listen to music while I painted but I don't now
Zen Arado: no problem Sharon
Zen Arado: it isn't anything special to me that’s all
Zen Arado: it's like you cooking a meal or washing the dishes
Zen Arado: do you see what I mean?
SophiaSharon Larnia: I do
Zen Arado: just an activity
SophiaSharon Larnia: I'm thinking how those activities can occur on a certain level of existence
Zen Arado: I suppose all our activities should be approached with concentration and mindfulness - no matter how 'menial'
SophiaSharon Larnia: trying to see the talent in those pictures in that light
Zen Arado: the main thing is to enjoy the process
SophiaSharon Larnia: indeed
Zen Arado: not use it as a means to an end

Zen Arado: I know some who are always worried if their paintings will sell
Zen Arado: I never think about that - well almost never :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: smiles
Zen Arado: but the same applies to most activities I think
Zen Arado: we shouldn't use the present moment as a means to something 'better' in the future
SophiaSharon Larnia: You're answering some personal questions I have about art without me asking them, hard for me to explain that using a few words
Zen Arado: I think everyone could produce something beautiful from their own personal uniqueness
Zen Arado: as we have seen in PaB exhibitions
SophiaSharon Larnia: !! yes
Zen Arado: instead of trying to emulate some imagined standard of excellence
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods thoughtfully
Zen Arado: just daring to be ourselves
Zen Arado: amazingly difficult to do !
SophiaSharon Larnia: agree 100%

Zen Arado: perhaps society conditions us to be 'productive' too much
SophiaSharon Larnia: that's part of it for sure
Zen Arado: I heard a radio talk recently where a writer claims that the 'mass-production' era is finished
SophiaSharon Larnia: I sure hope he's right
Zen Arado: even the 'knowledge' industry
Zen Arado: imagination and creativity are what is needed nowadays
SophiaSharon Larnia: !!
SophiaSharon Larnia: it sounds to me that you get some joy from this
Zen Arado: I get more now than I used to
SophiaSharon Larnia: smiles
Zen Arado: I used to think I had to churn out at least one painting per week
Zen Arado: and keep 'progressing'
Zen Arado: so governed by time, I was
Zen Arado: from a lifetime of work

SophiaSharon Larnia: Has Pab changed that? or the concept of 'Being'??
SophiaSharon Larnia: even away from PaB, I mean in Being in general
Zen Arado: yes - probably - and so has my meditation practice
SophiaSharon Larnia: (can't believe I just said Being in general hahaha)
Zen Arado: :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: in what way?
Zen Arado: in the sense that I am becoming more aware of this dimension of being or 'true self' and less identified with my mind and its projections. But the mind and its thoughts are part of being too so I have to be aware making further false distinctions.
Zen Arado: and just relaxing with what 'is'
Zen Arado: being content with it

Sometimes, unexpected experiences in life can show us amazing things...

Zen Arado: I must tell you Sharon
SophiaSharon Larnia: smiles
Zen Arado: I found my recent spell in hospital so... enlightening
SophiaSharon Larnia: how unfortunate that happened Zen
Zen Arado: practicing working with nurses and doctors
SophiaSharon Larnia: the illness that is
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods
SophiaSharon Larnia: its a different world
SophiaSharon Larnia: with a different language and outlook
Zen Arado: fitting into THEIR schedules and not my own preferences
Zen Arado: and accepting all the discomfort and pain and inconvenience
SophiaSharon Larnia: not easy when the bed is hard and you're not allowed to sleep for long
Zen Arado: I worked with the koan 'The great way is easy for those who do not cling to their preferences'
Zen Arado: the bed was too soft :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods
Zen Arado: and I found the nurses not very knowledgeable about my disability and had to almost train them in my techniques for doing things
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh I’m sorry to hear that
Zen Arado: but it taught me patience
Zen Arado: in a way it was better than a Zen session
Zen Arado: and conversely - having done Zen retreats probably helped me with the boring days in the hospital
SophiaSharon Larnia: funny how experiences like that can change us, either to interpret it in a enlightening way, it could embitter us too
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh, thankfully that helps :)
Zen Arado: yes - but I don't think my training would allow me to become embittered any more
SophiaSharon Larnia: smiles
Zen Arado: you learn to see through the self pitying thoughts
Zen Arado: and you know if you indulge them they only lead to depression
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods
Zen Arado: so ...why not make it easier for yourself and select a way that is ....
Zen Arado: not sure what to put there :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: Joyful it seems to me
Zen Arado: yes!
SophiaSharon Larnia: appreciative, although seeing in that light is startling, in it's own way

Zen Arado: ah - but I think I start to see life as lessons to be learned
Zen Arado: and the same lesson will be repeated if we don't pass the first time :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: interesting, a topic we can talk about in a play as being session :)
Zen Arado: we have already
Zen Arado: :)
Zen Arado: I'm starting to believe in 'synchronicity' though I was skeptical at first
Zen Arado: kind of like if you can stay in the 'flow' of things the world cooperates with you better - if you see what I mean
SophiaSharon Larnia: i do, I was thinking of the words :))
Zen Arado: rather than 'kicking against the pricks' as Jesus said in the bible
SophiaSharon Larnia: ha
 

More about Play as Being...

SophiaSharon Larnia: Has Play as Being changed in the time you've been there?
SophiaSharon Larnia: over a year and a half?
Zen Arado: Obviously it has grown in that time and it is good that it attracts people from lots of different countries. The different time slots help this I think. There are always lots of interesting people showing up, and that hasn't changed. Perhaps the range of topics has increased - with everything from outright silliness to deep spiritual discussions.
SophiaSharon Larnia: ! I love that... the range of topics, for sure! hahah

SophiaSharon Larnia: Are there any other ways Play as Being has affected your life?
Zen Arado: Yes - I have become involved with people I met in pab and joined other groups through them. I have been opened to new interests in areas like phenomenology, dreams and poetry. Pema's Time explorations have given me a different perspective on my Buddhist practice.
SophiaSharon Larnia: The time explorations have given you a different perspective?
Zen Arado: or just reinforced certain ideas, or have seen things from a slightly different angle
SophiaSharon Larnia: nods
Zen Arado: I like to look at things from many perspectives
SophiaSharon Larnia: why sessions are great to go to :)
Zen Arado: yes - others see things in different way and it sheds new light on a subject for us

SophiaSharon Larnia: do you mind if I take a picture here?
Zen Arado: that's why I keep going there probably - because there are so many interesting people
Zen Arado: no go ahead
SophiaSharon Larnia: :D me too Zen
SophiaSharon Larnia: you have a fabulous sunset view here, I'm trying to find the right angle to include you, it, and your cat
SophiaSharon Larnia: lol
SophiaSharon Larnia: Can I take some in your gallery?
SophiaSharon Larnia: please ??
Zen Arado: yes sure
SophiaSharon Larnia: with you in them?
Zen Arado: we can walk there
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh really??? cool!

Then! Zen shows me his Gallery of paintings that he has created in real life... in second life. I know I seem effusive in this interview, but I am stunned. Zen says he may even have an opening and party there!?

Zen has kindly shared the url to his Flickr display of these paintings and more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjhtaylor. You can visit the Gallery in SL by following this slurl: (Buyeo 240, 35, 30).

SophiaSharon Larnia: wow wow
SophiaSharon Larnia: Zen!!
SophiaSharon Larnia: oh my
SophiaSharon Larnia: stunning
Zen Arado: ty

SophiaSharon Larnia: this is incredible Zen, I mean it, seriously
Zen Arado: you’re very kind
SophiaSharon Larnia: I want to take a picture of every one
SophiaSharon Larnia: i want to go back there too
Zen Arado: np to me :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: really?!?

Zen Arado: of course not
Zen Arado: be my guest
SophiaSharon Larnia: thank you for your patience
SophiaSharon Larnia: :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: thank you thank you
Zen Arado: thank you

Zen Arado: I should have an opening here
SophiaSharon Larnia: I'm looking around
Zen Arado: a party :)
SophiaSharon Larnia: YES!!!!
SophiaSharon Larnia: anything I've made in or out of sl pales to this, not that I mean to say it diminishes me
SophiaSharon Larnia: but really now!!!

Zen Arado: nonsense - you have made beautiful buildings
SophiaSharon Larnia: pfft
Zen Arado: this is pretty basic
SophiaSharon Larnia: to someone with the talent maybe
SophiaSharon Larnia: and i dont even know about that
SophiaSharon Larnia: i dont think i even meant that

SophiaSharon Larnia: thank you for meeting with me today Zen!
Zen Arado: thank you for taking the time to do it :)

SophiaSharon Larnia: thank you Zen, I'm so thrilled to be able to post this to the wiki
SophiaSharon Larnia: that sounds funny, but i cant help that
Zen Arado: ok feel free to come and look at gallery any time
Zen Arado: or contact me
SophiaSharon Larnia: ok
SophiaSharon Larnia: bye for now Zen!
Zen Arado: bye Sharon :)