The Zen of Flying. Set yourself aside and allow others to be in control. Eat what is offered. Drink when possible. Seated in the tight seats of the aircraft, I cozied up to a copy of The Eight Gates of Zen by Daido Loori-roshi. I enjoy this book and admire the work he and his students have done to create an American monastic setting. At times I listened to my MP3 player, but mostly I read or sat Zazen in the seat. Judy knitted.
Arriving in Cleveland the ground was covered in snow and ice. It is in the low 20s heer and overcast. It is interesting how the weather can be so very different from one place to another. And how it seems reflected in the faces of those around you.
In the morning we drive deeper into the city and I will be staying in a home without a computer. I look forward to this adventure with daughter Sam. I told her I was scared to death at my defense. It was the truth. Maybe this helped. She is a dedicated researcher and an excellent student. I am sure she will do just fine.
As we were driving in from the airport and the car slid off the highway, she told me I had left an old mala in the car on the stick shift. She referred to them as "woory beads." "Here, take these." she offered. My face must have been a bit ashen. :)
Oh well, Cleveland in the winter. Been there, done that. Looking forward to no repeats.
Se ya!
Organ Mountain Zen
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Love
With palms together,
Good Evening Sangha,
It is dark outside. And cold. The desert does not hold the heat of the sun. I am sitting by my bedroom window thinking about the next few days. Visiting our daughter will be a delight. Her dissertation defense will be stressful. They always are. My hope is that we will get through it, enjoy the process as best we can, then celebrate and come home.
Moments are what they are. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good, sometimes a real pain in the ass. Still, being present is all that we have really. Yesterday and tommorow do not exist. It is pointless to fret over what was or over what might be. So, in this very moment what I experience is love.
My breath enters my body and my breath leaves my body. I am still. My heart is warm. I love.
When we have love in every present moment what else is there?
No room for hate. No room for fear. No room for worry. Just a deep and abiding love.
I have faith in this universe and its processes. It is way larger than me. And yet there I am in it. Part of it, all of it, none of it.
There are those who would look around and see all the death and destruction, the hate and fear, and say, "what an awful, terrible world." There are others who look at the same things and see the human heart beating, overcoming great odds, and still loving. The will to life and love are powerful. They are the currents ofthe universe. And while we clash, we also embrace. While we kill, we also save. My sense is that the balances are always tipped in favor of life and love.
Spread the love, one being at a time.
Be well.
Good Evening Sangha,
It is dark outside. And cold. The desert does not hold the heat of the sun. I am sitting by my bedroom window thinking about the next few days. Visiting our daughter will be a delight. Her dissertation defense will be stressful. They always are. My hope is that we will get through it, enjoy the process as best we can, then celebrate and come home.
Moments are what they are. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good, sometimes a real pain in the ass. Still, being present is all that we have really. Yesterday and tommorow do not exist. It is pointless to fret over what was or over what might be. So, in this very moment what I experience is love.
My breath enters my body and my breath leaves my body. I am still. My heart is warm. I love.
When we have love in every present moment what else is there?
No room for hate. No room for fear. No room for worry. Just a deep and abiding love.
I have faith in this universe and its processes. It is way larger than me. And yet there I am in it. Part of it, all of it, none of it.
There are those who would look around and see all the death and destruction, the hate and fear, and say, "what an awful, terrible world." There are others who look at the same things and see the human heart beating, overcoming great odds, and still loving. The will to life and love are powerful. They are the currents ofthe universe. And while we clash, we also embrace. While we kill, we also save. My sense is that the balances are always tipped in favor of life and love.
Spread the love, one being at a time.
Be well.
Monday, February 6, 2006
Grassroots
With palms together,
Good Afternoon Sangha,
We have a local newspaper here in Las Cruces called "The Grassroots Press." It is a tiny little thing devoted to social action. I noticed that there is a weekly "Peace Vigil" at the Federal Courthouse every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The ad says people should bring sunscreen, water, and signs. I think this is a great idea. Beginning next Wednesday, I think I'll be out there. This Wednesday coming I'll be in Cleveland for our daughter's doctoral defense.
One of the things each of you might do in your area is find a similar "Peace Vigil" or create one of your own. Place a ad in a local paper to spead the word, or better yet, write a short press release indicating your intention, time, and place. Often local papers are online and you can get the editor's email address to send in a press release. Newspapers will often print these free.
There is only one way we are going to make a difference and that is from the ground up. One bodhisattva at a time.
Be well.
Good Afternoon Sangha,
We have a local newspaper here in Las Cruces called "The Grassroots Press." It is a tiny little thing devoted to social action. I noticed that there is a weekly "Peace Vigil" at the Federal Courthouse every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The ad says people should bring sunscreen, water, and signs. I think this is a great idea. Beginning next Wednesday, I think I'll be out there. This Wednesday coming I'll be in Cleveland for our daughter's doctoral defense.
One of the things each of you might do in your area is find a similar "Peace Vigil" or create one of your own. Place a ad in a local paper to spead the word, or better yet, write a short press release indicating your intention, time, and place. Often local papers are online and you can get the editor's email address to send in a press release. Newspapers will often print these free.
There is only one way we are going to make a difference and that is from the ground up. One bodhisattva at a time.
Be well.
Sunday, February 5, 2006
Cartoons and Hammers
With palms together,
Good Morning All,
The display of Mohammed in cartoon form would seem to some a frivolous thing. Yet, embassies are burning and millions of people are outraged. Lives are being threatened, products banned, and people are rioting in the streets. The newspapers who printed these cartoons stand behind their freedoms. The cartoonist is expressing an opinion. A point was being made. A limit was being tested. On balance, what can we say?
Sensitivity to the beliefs and faith of others is an important tenent of civilized life. While it is wrong for Islam to portray rabbis as cannabals and the clergy there to remain mute, it is equally wrong for us to portray Mohammed in pictoral form and for us to remain mute. We must learn to respect each other.
Freedom of the press is very important, we should strongly defend it. Yet, just because we can do something, does not mean that we should do it. People hold the symbols of their faith close. As Zen Buddhists we might say too close, as this sort of thing leads to suffering and can become a hindrance to seeing clearly, still people in fact do hold their symbols closely. Does this give us the right to hit them over the head with a hammer to help them see the error of their ways? I don't think so. Wiser means are necessary. In a culture that values respect, respect is a skillful means.
Be well.
Good Morning All,
The display of Mohammed in cartoon form would seem to some a frivolous thing. Yet, embassies are burning and millions of people are outraged. Lives are being threatened, products banned, and people are rioting in the streets. The newspapers who printed these cartoons stand behind their freedoms. The cartoonist is expressing an opinion. A point was being made. A limit was being tested. On balance, what can we say?
Sensitivity to the beliefs and faith of others is an important tenent of civilized life. While it is wrong for Islam to portray rabbis as cannabals and the clergy there to remain mute, it is equally wrong for us to portray Mohammed in pictoral form and for us to remain mute. We must learn to respect each other.
Freedom of the press is very important, we should strongly defend it. Yet, just because we can do something, does not mean that we should do it. People hold the symbols of their faith close. As Zen Buddhists we might say too close, as this sort of thing leads to suffering and can become a hindrance to seeing clearly, still people in fact do hold their symbols closely. Does this give us the right to hit them over the head with a hammer to help them see the error of their ways? I don't think so. Wiser means are necessary. In a culture that values respect, respect is a skillful means.
Be well.
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Authentic Zen
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
Last night after Zazen, I read selections out of three books: The Eight Gates of Zen, volume one of the Shobogenzo, and Zen is Eternal Life. I was struck by the sometimes severe differences in attitudes of the authors. Dogen Zenji is direct, clear, but dialectical. He walks in his own authority, but places very high esteem on his ancestors and the authenticity of their practice, encouraging others to emulate this authenticity. Kennett-roshi also places high regard for authentic practice, but in some senses denegrates practices she does not see as of value. For her, anything taking the practitioner away from Zazen (as shikan-taza) is a mistake. Daido Loori-roshi, a hybrid of Soto and Rinzai, also focuses on authentic practice, talks alot about Zazen and Koan practice, but also wants to examine the student's motives and commitment to the Way.
Authenticity of practice and of intention are in all seen as of high value. Each would probably disagree with each other's methods and the varying degrees of emphasis in each others practices, but none would argue that the other is not Zen.
What is important is your reason for coming to Zen, your commitment to the practice of looking inward, examination of yourself and your behavior, as well as your integrity. Coming to Zen for the sake of resolving a psychological or emotional problem is not good: see a therapist. Coming to Zen for the sake of helping others is not good: help your self first, others follow. Coming to Zen for the sake of getting a sense of reward or wanting to see some kind of "progress" in your practice, a "payoff" for all this sitting and mind examination is also not good: Zazen is for its own sake. Progress is from the inside out and measuring it, in a sense, destroys it much like killing a cat to see what makes it live causes life to elude your eyes.
Be well.
Good Morning Sangha,
Last night after Zazen, I read selections out of three books: The Eight Gates of Zen, volume one of the Shobogenzo, and Zen is Eternal Life. I was struck by the sometimes severe differences in attitudes of the authors. Dogen Zenji is direct, clear, but dialectical. He walks in his own authority, but places very high esteem on his ancestors and the authenticity of their practice, encouraging others to emulate this authenticity. Kennett-roshi also places high regard for authentic practice, but in some senses denegrates practices she does not see as of value. For her, anything taking the practitioner away from Zazen (as shikan-taza) is a mistake. Daido Loori-roshi, a hybrid of Soto and Rinzai, also focuses on authentic practice, talks alot about Zazen and Koan practice, but also wants to examine the student's motives and commitment to the Way.
Authenticity of practice and of intention are in all seen as of high value. Each would probably disagree with each other's methods and the varying degrees of emphasis in each others practices, but none would argue that the other is not Zen.
What is important is your reason for coming to Zen, your commitment to the practice of looking inward, examination of yourself and your behavior, as well as your integrity. Coming to Zen for the sake of resolving a psychological or emotional problem is not good: see a therapist. Coming to Zen for the sake of helping others is not good: help your self first, others follow. Coming to Zen for the sake of getting a sense of reward or wanting to see some kind of "progress" in your practice, a "payoff" for all this sitting and mind examination is also not good: Zazen is for its own sake. Progress is from the inside out and measuring it, in a sense, destroys it much like killing a cat to see what makes it live causes life to elude your eyes.
Be well.
Friday, February 3, 2006
Engaged Zen
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha, Zen Forum, Team Zen, and others,
Several people have written to me saying that they would like to be part of an Engaged Zen group. Some are part of our local Sangha membership, some are from the wider Sangha here on the internet. I do not know how we can use the internet in this work, other than as a communication tool, a support tool, and a protest tool. We can communicate with each other about ideas for engaging the world to become less violent and more compassionate, we can support each other in these ideas as they become actions, and we can use the email tools available to write letters to agancies and individuals responsible for decisions in the areas we identify.
As to the Engaged Zen Group at the Las Cruces Zen Center, I suggest that we talk at the Zazenkai and at each Zazen service toward a regular meeting with an agenda and mission.
A list of topics/issues:
Reducing and Eliminating Violence in all areas of our lives, domestic and international
Reducing and Eliminating Poverty, Hunger, and Malnutrition
Reducing and Eliminating Social Injustice and Human Rights Abuses.
There are a number of organizations dedicated to these missions, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Move-On.org, various anti-war and anti-violence organizations, including the Department of Peace Initiative, etc. I suggest each of you take a look at these, do web searches locally, nationally, and internationally. Send to the Zen Living list or to me personally short reports as to the results of these searches, including links.
On the local level, we will talk about picking a mission and coming up with an action plan. This plan might include silent witness, letter writing, press releases, t-shirts, posters, all sorts of things that might make our voice known and get our message communicated.
War, violence, abuse, poverty, hunger, all of these will continue as long as we continuethem. It is important to say no and to say it clearly and loudly and with the authority of our Buddha Nature. I ask you to help me make this a better world.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Good Morning Sangha, Zen Forum, Team Zen, and others,
Several people have written to me saying that they would like to be part of an Engaged Zen group. Some are part of our local Sangha membership, some are from the wider Sangha here on the internet. I do not know how we can use the internet in this work, other than as a communication tool, a support tool, and a protest tool. We can communicate with each other about ideas for engaging the world to become less violent and more compassionate, we can support each other in these ideas as they become actions, and we can use the email tools available to write letters to agancies and individuals responsible for decisions in the areas we identify.
As to the Engaged Zen Group at the Las Cruces Zen Center, I suggest that we talk at the Zazenkai and at each Zazen service toward a regular meeting with an agenda and mission.
A list of topics/issues:
Reducing and Eliminating Violence in all areas of our lives, domestic and international
Reducing and Eliminating Poverty, Hunger, and Malnutrition
Reducing and Eliminating Social Injustice and Human Rights Abuses.
There are a number of organizations dedicated to these missions, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Move-On.org, various anti-war and anti-violence organizations, including the Department of Peace Initiative, etc. I suggest each of you take a look at these, do web searches locally, nationally, and internationally. Send to the Zen Living list or to me personally short reports as to the results of these searches, including links.
On the local level, we will talk about picking a mission and coming up with an action plan. This plan might include silent witness, letter writing, press releases, t-shirts, posters, all sorts of things that might make our voice known and get our message communicated.
War, violence, abuse, poverty, hunger, all of these will continue as long as we continuethem. It is important to say no and to say it clearly and loudly and with the authority of our Buddha Nature. I ask you to help me make this a better world.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Share the Bloom: Engaged Zen
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,Clear Mind Zen begins and ends with behavior. To know facts about Zen is not to understand Zen. To understand Zen is not enough either. As Daido Loori-roshi points out, we climb the mountain, attain the peak, but we are not yet finished. Clear Mind Zen demands a next step.
An expression of Our True Nature is always that next step. It is that next step that is Engaged Zen. So. Sitting Zazen is good and bad. It is good that we sit Zazen. There we settle ourselves, dig deeply into our present moment and learn the practice of being there. But sitting Zazen is bad as well when we refuse to get of the cushion and remain a statue.
Our world is full of pain and suffering. Even the President of the United States pointed out the other night that people are uncertain. In fact, these are uncertain times. In such times, people look for certainty. They demand to have solid ground to walk on. Practitioners of the Way know this is a root cause of suffering itself. There is no solid ground. All is change. Our practice is learning to bloom within process. And our next step is always sharing the bloom.
So what do we do to share the bloom?
I suggest that we create a Share The Bloom group at Zen Center. Thois group's functiuon will be to select projects for us to witness. Peace/War Violence/Non-Violence, Poverty/Mutual Aid: each have a need for our attention. If you are interested in such a group, please let me know.
Be well.
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