Who Owns Our Bodies?

 Dear Readers,

For the record, I oppose abortion as a general rule since I support life. I also support the sanctity of privacy, freedom of choice, and a society where government has no business in our bedroom. I this regard, then, I support freedom of choice when it involves itself in our lives.  We do not criminally charge those who attempt suicide, nor do we issue Social Security and Medicaid cards to those not yet born.  So, I wonder of what use is a birth certificate?  Why not issue an embryo certificate instead?

Just a thought.

Daiho

Transparency

There are a few things a Zen priest or teacher ought not do besides the obvious, violating his/her vows, and one of them is hiding behavior.  It's akin to acts of omission, which is to say, lying by not telling the truth when not asked.  I have always believed in transparency. As a priest and Zen teacher believe I have an obligation to be as "up-front" with the public, and in particular, my students and readers, as possible and appropriate.  

As I write this, I worry how it will be read and what the consequences may be for sharing such intimate details about my life choices over the last year. But it will be what it will be.  As Vonnegut used to say, "So it goes."

For the last couple of decades, I have taken a drug called "Mirapex."  It is used to quell leg spasms and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Unfortunately for me, the drug has some rather toxic, if not malicious, side effects I was not made aware of which have deeply disturbed me, my wifem students, and now you, dear readers. There are several challenging side effects, but most relevant are two: a lowering of impulse control and an increase of addictive behaviors; frankly, a match made in hell. 

By writing about this drug, I am in no way excusing my behavior, but offering an explanation for it, as well as a warning to anyone reading this to stay away from Mirapex. It is a dangerous drug and studies have shown it has caused many people to lose their homes, end their marriages, and otherwise rain down hell upon users.

So, I have deleted my Facebook account and no longer engage in online sexual conduct or discussion. I used to sign on to sex sites, meet women, spend money, etc. Ashamed and depressed, I take up the Way. As this day closes, another opens.  May it be filled with the light of day.

edit 

 

Recluse

Readers,

Recently I've taken to being far more reclusive than ever before. I'm no longer on Facebook or other social media, do not keep my device glued to my hip, and am generally not particularly responsive to inquiries. I have found this new position to be quite liberating, although somewhat frustrating as a writer. Writers need readers, you know?

Anyway, the Zen of it is this: practice is key, not an audience. One teaches through one's life, not one's written word. 

So, when the bell is invited to ring, sit. Or practice kinhin. Or practice oryoki. Or practice samu. 

There is nothing more.

Be well.

Schedule

 June 15, 2022

Public Schedule:

Sunday at 10:00 AM Zen Service with Dharma Talk

Wednesday Evening at 6:00 PM Zen Study

All times Mountain Time

On Zoom. If interested, send an email to me at daihoroshi@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Dear Zenster:

I am pleased to offer a six week course on our Order’s “Shingi: Standards for the Order of Clear Mind Zen.” We will address all aspects of the Order’s procedures, ceremonies, and practices. The Shingi is the result of twenty years of study and practice within the Order. We are currently in the process of revising the current edition. All members of the class will be expected to have a copy, study it, and as we go through it, make editorial comments and edits. At the conclusion, members of the class will be recognized as contributors to the revised edition and will be included in the Shingi’s next printing. Please consider joining me as we explore and improve our Order.

Fee: $60.00

Materials: “Shingi: Standards for the Order of Clear Mind Zen: by Harvey Daiho Hilbert, available on Amazon.com

Please register with me directly via email: daihoroshi@gmail.com

WE WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 24 AT SIX PM 

Thank you!

 

Creation

Creation

 On the evening

Of the first day

I created myself.

"Self," I said, "Go

Forthwith

Take control

Of yourself

Name yourself

And all living

Things:

Be Kind\

Be Gentle

And Love

Your world."

All these things

I said to myself

And then went

On my way.

Daiho

2/13/2022

This Evening

This Evening 

On this evening

When the clock  

Strikes twelve

I will have lived

Three quarters of a century:

I haven't learned much.

daiho

2/12/22

The Crack

 The crack

Is is all too  often

Hidden

Somewhere

Behind this or that'

We can't find it

Or don't even know

Enough to look.

So we live out our lives

In darkness

Until something happens...

A door closes

A window opens

And the light gets in.

daiho

2/12/22

Morning

 With palms together, 

Sitting outside, it is 33 degrees. The fresh air is brisk to say the least. Zazen out of doors is nothing special really, the Buddha did it all of his life. Yet we westerners rarely take the Buddha’s way. I’ve heard students say it is uncomfortable, as if comfort is important to the practice. It is not. 

What’s important to the practice is the practice itself regardless of conditions. Sit like a mountain: all ancestors have taught this. Even if, as in my case, the mountain itself is unstable. Easy?  No. Necessary? Yes. To be a buddha, is to be a buddha in all directions and in all times.

Gassho 

Resignation

 With palms together, hello all,

NixI have resigned my position as abbot of the Order of Clear Mind Zen. I no longer teach individual students for the Order. I am available for public lectures, training and that sort of thing. Details to follow. 

Changes in the Order of Clear Mind Zen

 With palms together,

Recently I decided, rather abruptly, to resign my teaching position at the Order. Our new Head Teacher is Rev Marshall Daishin Tucker. I will not go into the particulars but suffice it to say my energy reserves are just not up to it. So, I will contain myself to teaching via this blog and other venues such as public lectures, radio interviews and the like.

With this I will remain Abbot of the Order and work with our Executive Committee to take us into this new year. We are meeting this morning to discuss possibilities and forge a direction. My sense is we have two major tasks: first, develop our organizational structure and second, work to build our membership. To support that last goal, I am suggesting we develop a membership application, policies regarding membership, and assign a membership director.

I will keep you posted as things unfold.

Be well, y'all

Daiho