Originally Posted by
Jronin
I think I know how chet feels and I've felt the same way in the past, but I also realize that thinking like this does not really help anything. The business of saving all sentient beings can sometimes feel like a very lonely endeavor (which is why being part of a community is so important), but I have no illusions that I can save all or any sentient beings (including my own self), by becoming an evangelist. I think a lot of other religions and practices have shown that this can have the opposite effect. Also, there is the danger of thinking you are something "better" or "more enlightened" than the other people around you, and the mind just loves to think like that. It really seperates "you" from the "world", which is exactly the illusion that keeps you from "going beyond". So, feeling bad or sad for those other people around us is actually no different than feeling sad or bad for ourselves (which I have also been guilty of).
But I also think we may be missing what chet is trying to say. The topic post is "Odd Dharma sadness...and gratitude...".
I think (and please correct me if I'm wrong, chet) that he knows this is "Odd" (not helpful, possibly harmful and definitely risky thinking). The "sadness" is a human feeling that we have all experienced, whether or not we intellectually know that it's harmful or not, sometimes it's just there. The "gratitude" being that the Dharma is here for us to use, whether we choose to use it or not. Many people have chosen not to use it and many have used it without even knowing it, or using it and calling it by a different name. But are these things really any different?
My answer to feelings of sadness for "other" people is this:
Either you walk the path or you don't. If you do, then you spread the Dharma naturally (by example for instance), if you don't, then you live your life in other ways. You will suffer some days and be happy other days. Whether you practice zen or not, you live your life as you best know how, which is natural and perfect. No better, no worse, no sadness, no grattitude, no comparing, no contrasting.
Gassho