AMMDI is an open-notebook hypertext writing experiment, authored by Mike Travers aka mtraven. It's a work in progress and some parts are more polished than others. Comments welcome! More.
A koan in itself, because purpose is pervasive and it is impossible to engage in activity without some form of it. If your purpose is purposelessness, you have already failed, or perhaps, by koanic logic, succeeded.
ChatGPT
When Shunryu Suzuki Roshi speaks of having "no gaining idea," he is referring to the principle of practicing without attachment to outcomes or personal benefit. In Zen, "no gaining idea" means engaging in meditation, or zazen, without trying to achieve enlightenment, gain wisdom, or improve oneself in some measurable way. The purpose is to be fully present and to experience each moment without expecting a specific result.
This idea stems from the belief that seeking or striving for something in meditation often leads to dissatisfaction or distraction, as the mind becomes preoccupied with future outcomes rather than what’s happening in the present. By relinquishing the desire for gain, practitioners can cultivate a sense of peace and acceptance, allowing insights and clarity to arise naturally rather than through forced effort. This aligns with the Zen teaching of "just sitting" (shikantaza), where one practices without purpose beyond simply being in the moment.