Thanks for this video. I’m not a Buddhist but watching it reaffirmed my belief that there is no one best way to live and that everything comes with tradeoffs. The best we can do is to balance them. Desire might cause suffering but having no desire can also cause suffering. As with Okumura’s quote about needing to go out into the world to live life, as an outsider it seems Buddhist teachings are more applicable when we have already experienced the stress, anxiety and depression of focusing too much work, on the future and/or the past.
Having "no desire" is not the buddhist way. The point is to avoid "egoic desire" and have desire borne of "great love", ie, "Bodhisattva love." Buddhsits should be passionate, goal oriented, and energetic, but motivated by "correct mind" and "correct heart." Indifference is falling into nihilism. The buddhist should be 100% content with right here, right now, but also 100% moved to "save all beings from suffering."
I was zen practitioner for 18 years but im sick of my kidneys and i can't continue practice in zen center...im sad , zen requires healthy condition...😢
Moreover, success is super subjective. What is "success"? Busting it 12 hours a day, making bank, and having no time to reflect or enjoy life? Your dad is, without a doubt, the wisest person to consult on the topic.
I don't think they are living in their own minds, but living with no purpose and no goals. We all have to have meaning and goals informed by meaning. The common man finds meaning in selfish things, temporary things and worldly things. The buddhist ought to find it in great love, great compassion, and great vow informed by buddhist insight.
This is beautiful! A sisters love for her brother, a Fathers love for ‘the way’ a brothers honest struggle..... finding a path.... spacious and touching.... heart to heart communication! :) a beautiful creation!
Pops looks like a 18 year old Marine guard. His posture is bamboo-erect, his face like glinting gold, and he speaks serene sentences. Documentary made one think, and hungry. Son is blessed with a good family. Thanks.
I think your beautiful son Came knowing about the environment. It’s harsh for some of us. Please just let him be as he is. Maybe he will open his own restaurant where he can be a chef
Im a 15 year old buddhist from Brazil. I never met another buddhist. I never went to a temple. No one of my family except me is buddhist. I found refuge on the Three Jewels Im now 18 and im finally going to a buddhist retreat! Its going to be an entire month of learning and practicing the Dharma
I feel identified with your story, I’m from Puerto Rico I’m 40 now and Buddhist, I started the Buddhist path when I was in my 20s, never being to a temple, never met a Buddhist and no one in my family except me is Buddhist. Keep up with your practice and I hope you reach enlightenment and nirvana 🙏
Thanks, Yoko - you all seem smart and healthy and humbling to see your real problems of finding identity - I also think being a second-generation immigrant is a part of it but definitely not all. We have to make it ourselves and the harder we try the more original we are at least.
I like how in the very very last second of the film the bird and the fish finally understand what the sky and the ocean are like & what this world is about, and become great masters.
Yoko, I found your mini documentary and was enthralled. Visually and artistically, each shot was a pleasure to watch. The story was universal. I come from a family that did the opposite of your gentle Mom and Dad. The expectations to live for my parents honor were paramount. You quickly set up the conflict. You have a spiritually minded Father and Mother who believe that attachment to desire is the root of suffering applies even to the natural desire that our kids “grow up”. There is a point in a child’s life where loving them is allowing them to become who they are. Obviously, you don’t do this to children. I could feel immediate judgement of the seemingly permissive parenting style. I was rooting for the son to leave the nest. It turns out, sometimes the adage “Don’t just sit there, do something!” Should be rearranged to “Don’t do something, just sit there!” There is wisdom and strength exhibited when we stop interfering. Maybe nagging parents would have delayed your brother’s journey. Thank you for this gift. I am sorry I am seeing it so late. Sincerely, Dr Dave
