Some more Zen

The unltimate dilemma is between focusing on the small or large picture. Universe-wide consciousness, or non-consciousness, and living through the small things in life. It might not come down to this, but that is where I feel Dogen's philosophy is taking me. In order to eliminate suffering one embraces the universe, in simple terms, and does not worry about this body and life. Wait...hmm...okay, you yourself may not achieve lasting enlightenment until the body is gone. Eveytime you practice zazen, sitting meditation, you become one with the It (the universe and beyond/everything and nothing). Beyond zazen, as an enlighten person/entity, it is also your duty, but it is beyond duty, to help all achieve the same awareness. It is not a duty because it is a necessity to want to eliminate all suffering in the universe. If you were apathetic towards others, then you are not enlightened. Where does that leave this?

In other zen things I have read parts of (zen 365 days a year or something), they focus on being aware of the little things/constantly aware, by being constantly aware you don't forget the little things. The two zens, rinzai and soto, though there are the original Chinese Zens, but I am not sure how much of that has survived continuously in China, seem to different focused. But, I say this from total inexperience in Rinzai Zen, other than the fact that they use koans. I am just arguing against the seeming detachment of Zen...but because t is Buddhist, there is attachment to all life. The nature of the attachment is different in Zen. It is even more beyond this earth than the others.

Why this post? I am stating an intitial dissatisatisfaction with Soto Zen. In my heart, I feel more in tune with an earthly slant that demands more caring and caretaking. In the end I will do my best to clarify some of these things as I study more. Sorry to drag this out.