With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Bowing practice is a key practice in Zen Buddhism. We place our palms together in "gassho" bend at the waist to about 45 degrees for an everyday bow, 90 degrees for a deep bow. We also do "san pai" or three bowing prostrations as part of our Zen services. Various practice centers do these at differing points in the liturgy. I see these as completely private relational practices of buddha nature regardless of when they are done.
What I mean by relational practices of buddha nature is practice that contains the realization of complete non-duality.
When I do sanpai, I am not bowing before Shakyamuni Buddha, I am releasing my self to the universe. This is an act of complete humility. All subsequent bowing is a sort of abbreviated version. All gassho practice is even more abbreviated.
Abbreviated does not mean lesser. We place our palms together with the same realization of unity. We bow 45 degrees with the same realization of release of self, 90 degrees with realization of release of self, and the whole enchilada with realization of release of self. Our lives as bodhisattvas is this release of self.
This means that at some point during our experience as Zen Buddhists we open our eyes to see every act, every breath, every moment is Zen: the realization of the release of self and the unity of all.
May you each be a blessing in the universe.
Organ Mountain Zen
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Notes
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The week is beginning with a wonderful cool breeze coming across the desert. I am listening as the washer and drier do their various activities. I can hear the fountain in the garden. Its soft, nearly melodic sound is eclipsed on occasion by the sudden re-filling of the tank of the clothes washer and the circling operation of the drier.
Reality. If I wished for silence I would suffer; in narrow mind, should and shouldn't. Accepting these sounds is not to suffer; in spacious mind, noise, no noise, just thusness.
Receiving what is before us in with equanimity is life's essential practice. Receiving ill-will, we use it to destroy our own animosity and offer back our love and willingness to be present with those who might dislike us.
Yesterday at steetZen there was a huge crowd. Some sort of chili festival of sorts was going on. I sat in my usual place joined by Rev. KoKyo. We burned incense and had small signs asking for peace. Many were generous and offered dana. Everyone was very respectful of our sitting except one young man who, as he walked by, said, "I say, bullshit."
As the word entered my heart, I noticed many first inclinations, let them drop away, and took his toxicity as poison to my own. Some of us, while desiring peace, distrust it and its processes. Its a narrow mind thing. True peace is the serenity of realizing both peace and war are man-made mental creations.
While sitting streetZen, many people took handouts which include zazen instruction, the Heart Sutra, and many other daily chants. Buddhas everywhere.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
The week is beginning with a wonderful cool breeze coming across the desert. I am listening as the washer and drier do their various activities. I can hear the fountain in the garden. Its soft, nearly melodic sound is eclipsed on occasion by the sudden re-filling of the tank of the clothes washer and the circling operation of the drier.
Reality. If I wished for silence I would suffer; in narrow mind, should and shouldn't. Accepting these sounds is not to suffer; in spacious mind, noise, no noise, just thusness.
Receiving what is before us in with equanimity is life's essential practice. Receiving ill-will, we use it to destroy our own animosity and offer back our love and willingness to be present with those who might dislike us.
Yesterday at steetZen there was a huge crowd. Some sort of chili festival of sorts was going on. I sat in my usual place joined by Rev. KoKyo. We burned incense and had small signs asking for peace. Many were generous and offered dana. Everyone was very respectful of our sitting except one young man who, as he walked by, said, "I say, bullshit."
As the word entered my heart, I noticed many first inclinations, let them drop away, and took his toxicity as poison to my own. Some of us, while desiring peace, distrust it and its processes. Its a narrow mind thing. True peace is the serenity of realizing both peace and war are man-made mental creations.
While sitting streetZen, many people took handouts which include zazen instruction, the Heart Sutra, and many other daily chants. Buddhas everywhere.
Be well.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Appreciation
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Over the next three mornings we will host a garage sale at our home. Goodness. I don't look forward to this process. My Little Honey, however, has been working diligently to make this happen. She does so much for me and for "us". I pale in comparison, not that we should make comparisons.
Appreciation for those who are close to me and who love me is not a difficult challenge for me, expressing it is. I am awkward with warm, fuzzy expressions, choosing almost always to be silent when I feel overwhelmed by the help and love of others. The problem is, of course, that people need to feel appreciated and struggle when they are not.
For me, I think the issue involved is vulnerability to emotion. I feel vulnerable when I express a soft, warm, and fuzzy feeling. When I express gratitude to another human being its as though I must put up my guard. Their goodness opens me up to feelings.
Lately especially, I have noticed a rise in my anxiety. Vulnerability is problematic. Yet here it is: life.
Recognizing and being willing to express appreciation to those who care for us is critical to healthy relationships. I find it easy to appreciate the earth, the grocery store, farmers, cooks, and gas stations. I am working on expressing my appreciation to my family.
May this note be a first step.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Over the next three mornings we will host a garage sale at our home. Goodness. I don't look forward to this process. My Little Honey, however, has been working diligently to make this happen. She does so much for me and for "us". I pale in comparison, not that we should make comparisons.
Appreciation for those who are close to me and who love me is not a difficult challenge for me, expressing it is. I am awkward with warm, fuzzy expressions, choosing almost always to be silent when I feel overwhelmed by the help and love of others. The problem is, of course, that people need to feel appreciated and struggle when they are not.
For me, I think the issue involved is vulnerability to emotion. I feel vulnerable when I express a soft, warm, and fuzzy feeling. When I express gratitude to another human being its as though I must put up my guard. Their goodness opens me up to feelings.
Lately especially, I have noticed a rise in my anxiety. Vulnerability is problematic. Yet here it is: life.
Recognizing and being willing to express appreciation to those who care for us is critical to healthy relationships. I find it easy to appreciate the earth, the grocery store, farmers, cooks, and gas stations. I am working on expressing my appreciation to my family.
May this note be a first step.
Be well.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Recovery
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
If we say we have the potential to be or that we strive to be, in effect we are saying we are becoming. These are the pleas of buddhas hooked on dualism. There is no becoming, no trying. These are the drugs of Small Mind. Quit! Get clean! Sober up!
What is left?
Everything as it is. No striving, no separation. Not perfect? What is perfection but a creation of a dualistic mind seeking non-dualism?
What is left?
Doing. Being. Buddha Nature.
The Six Perfections aren't goals; they are our reality. Trying to be our reality denies us that reality. Becoming is an obstacle to being.
The Infinite teaches us to be awake. Every stone in the road. Every sudden noise. Every rainbow. Every thunderclap. Every Other. A cacophony of mindfulness bells being invited to ring. We have but to listen.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
If we say we have the potential to be or that we strive to be, in effect we are saying we are becoming. These are the pleas of buddhas hooked on dualism. There is no becoming, no trying. These are the drugs of Small Mind. Quit! Get clean! Sober up!
What is left?
Everything as it is. No striving, no separation. Not perfect? What is perfection but a creation of a dualistic mind seeking non-dualism?
What is left?
Doing. Being. Buddha Nature.
The Six Perfections aren't goals; they are our reality. Trying to be our reality denies us that reality. Becoming is an obstacle to being.
The Infinite teaches us to be awake. Every stone in the road. Every sudden noise. Every rainbow. Every thunderclap. Every Other. A cacophony of mindfulness bells being invited to ring. We have but to listen.
Be well.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Always
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The day, for me, is in full bloom, although it is overcast and the sun has barely shown itself. Rising early, getting things done, we appreciate moments to stop and just be present. I managed to do a 2 mile fast walk, a half mile run, and another 1.5 mile slow walk in the park this morning. Some time was spent with Jacob and My Little Honey, some Cheerios, and now here I am talking to you.
Today I will prepare for a lecture on "Kadosh" or Holiness. I will be presenting this lecture at Temple Beth El on Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM. Kadosh means many things, and holiness is not always the best way to understand it. As a contemplative Jewish practitioner and Zen Master, I practice to realize with, more often than not, what we call mochin d'gadlut, or "spacious mind". In Zen, the equivalent is "Big Mind". (A close friend and Social Work professor used to call this "Divergent Mind".) This is to say realizing the Infinite in me and the Infinite in you are One. Just so, the Infinite in me is the same as the Infinite in my coffee mug, or my carpet, or my dog. We are all one stuff manifesting is infinite process: one vast cosmic system.
To be holy is to be awake to this and to behave its truth. The commandments and stories in the Torah are fingers pointing to this Always Was/Always Am/Always Will Be moon. Just so, the sutras, the practices, and all the myriad dharma gates.
When we approach our moment to moment life this way, everything is divine avodah, everything is blessing, and everything is buddha-nature. The teaching? Touch your life in each of its moments with reverence.
Good Morning Everyone,
The day, for me, is in full bloom, although it is overcast and the sun has barely shown itself. Rising early, getting things done, we appreciate moments to stop and just be present. I managed to do a 2 mile fast walk, a half mile run, and another 1.5 mile slow walk in the park this morning. Some time was spent with Jacob and My Little Honey, some Cheerios, and now here I am talking to you.
Today I will prepare for a lecture on "Kadosh" or Holiness. I will be presenting this lecture at Temple Beth El on Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM. Kadosh means many things, and holiness is not always the best way to understand it. As a contemplative Jewish practitioner and Zen Master, I practice to realize with, more often than not, what we call mochin d'gadlut, or "spacious mind". In Zen, the equivalent is "Big Mind". (A close friend and Social Work professor used to call this "Divergent Mind".) This is to say realizing the Infinite in me and the Infinite in you are One. Just so, the Infinite in me is the same as the Infinite in my coffee mug, or my carpet, or my dog. We are all one stuff manifesting is infinite process: one vast cosmic system.
To be holy is to be awake to this and to behave its truth. The commandments and stories in the Torah are fingers pointing to this Always Was/Always Am/Always Will Be moon. Just so, the sutras, the practices, and all the myriad dharma gates.
When we approach our moment to moment life this way, everything is divine avodah, everything is blessing, and everything is buddha-nature. The teaching? Touch your life in each of its moments with reverence.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Stop
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Please take a moment
Just now...
Stop,
Listen,
Pay attention:
Crickets chirp
Dishwasher swishes
Cool morning air glides across my shoulders
My alarm says its time to dress for a run.
Be well,
Zazen at 9:00 AM Clear Mind Zendo.
Good Morning Everyone,
Please take a moment
Just now...
Stop,
Listen,
Pay attention:
Crickets chirp
Dishwasher swishes
Cool morning air glides across my shoulders
My alarm says its time to dress for a run.
Be well,
Zazen at 9:00 AM Clear Mind Zendo.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Feathers
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The time is 4:56. I have been sitting in my small zendo for a half hour, with the exception of the time it took to get the coffee pot going. In another half hour I will get up from this cushion and go for a walk/run, then clean the kitchen, then go to streetZen, then go to services at Temple Beth -El. This afternoon, I need to prep my classes for Sunday's Academy. And this evening a special havdalah service at White Sands National Park.
All are just one thing in front of another. Some may happen, some may not: no worries.
Some of you wrote to me about my equanimity. Thank you. This duck has mastered floating a long time ago. Yet, still occasionally he gets his feathers all a-fluff. Like any bird, though, in the blink of an eye, all feathers are back in place.
When our feathers are in place, our mind follows.
Be well.
Harvey So Daiho Hilbert-roshi
On the web at: http://www.clearmindzen.org
Telephone: 575-405-8522
Good Morning Everyone,
The time is 4:56. I have been sitting in my small zendo for a half hour, with the exception of the time it took to get the coffee pot going. In another half hour I will get up from this cushion and go for a walk/run, then clean the kitchen, then go to streetZen, then go to services at Temple Beth -El. This afternoon, I need to prep my classes for Sunday's Academy. And this evening a special havdalah service at White Sands National Park.
All are just one thing in front of another. Some may happen, some may not: no worries.
Some of you wrote to me about my equanimity. Thank you. This duck has mastered floating a long time ago. Yet, still occasionally he gets his feathers all a-fluff. Like any bird, though, in the blink of an eye, all feathers are back in place.
When our feathers are in place, our mind follows.
Be well.
Harvey So Daiho Hilbert-roshi
On the web at: http://www.clearmindzen.org
Telephone: 575-405-8522
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