With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
On my Yahoo 360 blog I have been recounting the Ten Grave Precepts. Today's precept is the fifth which asks us not to cloud our minds. Usually this is taken to mean not to drink to the point of not being sober. It is also a invitation not to ingest drugs or other toxins that will injure us or otherwise cause harm. Thich Nhat Hahn, the Vietnamese Buddhist Monk and Peace Worker has suggested that this precept includes taking things into us such as images or information which will poison us. Poison us with greed, hatred, and delusion.
This morning's news included a piece on the killing of Mr. Tom Fox, a Quaker and a Christian Peace Worker in Iraq who was taken hostage. Reports are that he was beaten, cut, and then shot in the chest and the head. Bound, his body was dumped on the street.
There are several "Friends" on this list. My deepest condolences to you.
My sense is that to avoid news can be harmful, as harmful as hiding one's head in the sand. The problem isn't the news or the images, but in what we do with them. If the images and the news causes hatred and anger, big problem. If, on the other hand, the information invites us to examine ourselves, our feelings, our relationships, our own actions, and thereby causes us to stand upright in the face of these three poisons, then we are being bodhisattvas.
The Buddha invited us to sit in a graveyard and be with a decomposing body. The image, the scent, the processes of decomposition are all "poisons" to those who seek nothing but the flowers of life. Yet all flowers eventually lose their bloom, wilt, keel over, wrinkle-up and die. They then become part of the environment, enriching it with nutrients for the next seed beginning to grow.
When we stand apart from the natural cycles of living and dying, loving and hating, we are not able tro help, we lose touch, live in a fantasy, and become incapable of connecting to others.
So, we should sit with this atrocity. We should invite our feelings to enter us, process them as we would the presence of a decomposing body in our living room. Turn away the eyes and you become salt. Care for the body and you become a bodhisattva.
It is most challenging work.
Be well.
Organ Mountain Zen
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
What it is
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
When we are being in the present moment, as it is, there is no room for anything else. This moment, as it is, is full and complete. So, what is this moment, as it is?
Sitting Zazen without sitting Zazen. Cleaning without cleaning. Talking without talking. Eating without eating. Listening without listening.
Zen is being complete in this moment without adding words, names, labels, judgements, thoughts, likes or dislikes to it.
When we are correctly oriented to living this way, everything becomes easy. No problem.
Living this way allows our breathing to be what it is: free.
Living this way allows our Buddha-nature to flower.
Living this way allows our love to be itself.
Living this way allows our compassion to enfold the planet.
Living this way allows all things to be One.
Be well.
Good Morning Sangha,
When we are being in the present moment, as it is, there is no room for anything else. This moment, as it is, is full and complete. So, what is this moment, as it is?
Sitting Zazen without sitting Zazen. Cleaning without cleaning. Talking without talking. Eating without eating. Listening without listening.
Zen is being complete in this moment without adding words, names, labels, judgements, thoughts, likes or dislikes to it.
When we are correctly oriented to living this way, everything becomes easy. No problem.
Living this way allows our breathing to be what it is: free.
Living this way allows our Buddha-nature to flower.
Living this way allows our love to be itself.
Living this way allows our compassion to enfold the planet.
Living this way allows all things to be One.
Be well.
Thursday, March 9, 2006
No one was beheaded
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
Yesterday's Peace Vigil was a great success if one measures success by the vibrancy of a group. We stood against the wind, a cold wind blowing across the desert valley. There were a couple of dozen women and a few men standing there along the avenue lacing the Federal Building. Public television was there. A few print media were there. Cameras were happy.
Passersby honked their horns in support. A few lifted a finger expressing their disapproval. This is America. No one was shot. No one beheaded.
That morning I met with local people interested in Jewish Law. The topic was "Should clergy marry people in a religious wedding without a license?" This is an effort to have a marrage sanctioned by God, but avoiding the problems with Social Security pension laws, although a few dissented, the answer was a clear no. We should not engage in deceitful behavior. During this discussion, a Christian minister made a few comments about homosexual unions, a heated debate ensued. Again, no one came to blows. No one was beheaded.
I noticed the authorities arrested three college students in the arson attacks of several churches in the deep south. No riots. No killings. No beheadings.
Last night at Zen Center, we sat Zazen in perfect stillness.
It is possible to have passionate views far apart from our neighbors and not bring harm to them. That is a very hopeful message. While we in the United States are far from perfect and we do in fact harm others in our behavior, we still have something we can offer the world. This should be our message..
Be well.
Good Morning Sangha,
Yesterday's Peace Vigil was a great success if one measures success by the vibrancy of a group. We stood against the wind, a cold wind blowing across the desert valley. There were a couple of dozen women and a few men standing there along the avenue lacing the Federal Building. Public television was there. A few print media were there. Cameras were happy.
Passersby honked their horns in support. A few lifted a finger expressing their disapproval. This is America. No one was shot. No one beheaded.
That morning I met with local people interested in Jewish Law. The topic was "Should clergy marry people in a religious wedding without a license?" This is an effort to have a marrage sanctioned by God, but avoiding the problems with Social Security pension laws, although a few dissented, the answer was a clear no. We should not engage in deceitful behavior. During this discussion, a Christian minister made a few comments about homosexual unions, a heated debate ensued. Again, no one came to blows. No one was beheaded.
I noticed the authorities arrested three college students in the arson attacks of several churches in the deep south. No riots. No killings. No beheadings.
Last night at Zen Center, we sat Zazen in perfect stillness.
It is possible to have passionate views far apart from our neighbors and not bring harm to them. That is a very hopeful message. While we in the United States are far from perfect and we do in fact harm others in our behavior, we still have something we can offer the world. This should be our message..
Be well.
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Another Day for Peace
With palms together,
Good Afternoon Sangha,
This afternoon we are scheduled to do a peace vigil at the Federal Courthouse in town. I have my simple sign which reads, "PEACE." I will join others at 4:00 PM, the appointed hour.
It is important to add our voice against war and violence. That it does not cause an end to the war is unimportant. Witnessing is. Eventually this war will end, they all do. Eventually another will begin, it usually does. What we can do is be a steady voice for peace and against violence.
The wind is picking up here in the desert southwest. It will be interesting out there on the streetcorner. Thankfully, it doesn't appear it will rain on us.
So, if you are available at 4:00 PM wherever you are, please stand or sit for a few minutes with us as we witness for peace. If not today, then when you can. Or write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or to the President, or to your congressional representative: your voice is important.
Be well.
Miles ran or walked today: 3.5
May All Beings Be Free From Suffering
So Daiho
James Madison's warning: "No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare."
Zazen at Zen Center of Las Cruces: Sundays 10:00 AM; Wednesdays 7:00 PM
Zazen at Dharma Mountain Zendo: Sundays 10:00 AM
On the web at http://www.daihoji.org/ and http://daihoji.blogspot.com/
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Tuesday, March 7, 2006
The Courage to Be
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
This morning I read with great sadness of the death of Dana Reeve. This woman was a great bodhisattva. Her memory, like that of her husband, will be a blessing for us all.
It is not difficult to find models for us to live by. Dana and Christopher Reeve were such models. Then so is a small one named Jennifer I saw on Discovery Health Channel the other day who was born without a face and endures tremendous pain and suffering as she undergoes a countless series of surguries to build her a face. Then there is her family, and the doctors and nurses, her extendeded family, neighbors and friends. When one tosses a pebble into the pond where do the ripples cease?
Dana Reeve was only 44 years old. She had never smoked a cigarette. Yet one in five women contract lung cancer who have never smoked in their lives. One wonders. These are people who led their lives fully. They developed great courage and compassion. They suffered, but they also succeeded.
When we live our lives in this way, directly, being with each event, each feeling that arises and still maintain our balance and our determination to be of service in the world, we are living buddhas.
I saw video of little Jennifer shortly after a massive surgery, pick up a striker and play with toy bells. The sound of the bell is both a call to mindfullness and a reminder that there is always joy in our lives even in the midst of great pain should we choose to experience it.
Be well.
Good Morning Sangha,
This morning I read with great sadness of the death of Dana Reeve. This woman was a great bodhisattva. Her memory, like that of her husband, will be a blessing for us all.
It is not difficult to find models for us to live by. Dana and Christopher Reeve were such models. Then so is a small one named Jennifer I saw on Discovery Health Channel the other day who was born without a face and endures tremendous pain and suffering as she undergoes a countless series of surguries to build her a face. Then there is her family, and the doctors and nurses, her extendeded family, neighbors and friends. When one tosses a pebble into the pond where do the ripples cease?
Dana Reeve was only 44 years old. She had never smoked a cigarette. Yet one in five women contract lung cancer who have never smoked in their lives. One wonders. These are people who led their lives fully. They developed great courage and compassion. They suffered, but they also succeeded.
When we live our lives in this way, directly, being with each event, each feeling that arises and still maintain our balance and our determination to be of service in the world, we are living buddhas.
I saw video of little Jennifer shortly after a massive surgery, pick up a striker and play with toy bells. The sound of the bell is both a call to mindfullness and a reminder that there is always joy in our lives even in the midst of great pain should we choose to experience it.
Be well.
Sunday, March 5, 2006
50s
With palms together,
Good Evening Sangha,
This evening I was thinking about what I could possibly write about. I thought about this:
50 Simple things to do:
Turn off lights when you are not using them.
Use energy saving bulbs.
Cook as little as possible, use cold foods in the summer.
Buy in quantities, then parcel into smaller portions for storage and later use.
Use a half shot glass of bleach in a spray water bottle instead of a cleanser to disinfect counter surfaces.
Flush the toilet less times per day.
Turn off the tap when not actually using the water.
Set your water heater on medium rather than high.
Bike rather than drive.
Walk rather than bike.
Park as far away from the entrance of a store as you possibly can then walk.
Eat six times a day, but smaller amounts.
Eat fruit.
Eat veggies.
Drink juice.
Drink lots of water.
Make as much from scratch as you can.
Enjoy yourself.
Each day for a week eat something you've not tried before.
Eat more nuts.
Smile as often as possible, especially when you don't feel like it.
Tell your partner you love them.
Show your partner your love in non-verbal ways.
Volunteer.
Work less than you think you should.
Turn off your cell phone for a day.
Begin a diary.
Stop writing in your diary.
Shift gears often.
When biking, wear a helmet.
Be kind to animals.
Adopt a pet.
Be kind to children.
Adopt a child.
Support charities as you can.
Visit a new place once a week.
Lay down on the floor at least once a day.
Use more bicarbonate of soda.
Use more vinegar.
Reject most TV.
Reject most movies.
Read a book.
Then read another book.
Then tell someone about the first book.
Join a club.
Vote.
Make love as much as possible.
Hug your kids.
Listen to as many people as possible.
Look people in the eyes
Above all,
Be well..
Good Evening Sangha,
This evening I was thinking about what I could possibly write about. I thought about this:
50 Simple things to do:
Turn off lights when you are not using them.
Use energy saving bulbs.
Cook as little as possible, use cold foods in the summer.
Buy in quantities, then parcel into smaller portions for storage and later use.
Use a half shot glass of bleach in a spray water bottle instead of a cleanser to disinfect counter surfaces.
Flush the toilet less times per day.
Turn off the tap when not actually using the water.
Set your water heater on medium rather than high.
Bike rather than drive.
Walk rather than bike.
Park as far away from the entrance of a store as you possibly can then walk.
Eat six times a day, but smaller amounts.
Eat fruit.
Eat veggies.
Drink juice.
Drink lots of water.
Make as much from scratch as you can.
Enjoy yourself.
Each day for a week eat something you've not tried before.
Eat more nuts.
Smile as often as possible, especially when you don't feel like it.
Tell your partner you love them.
Show your partner your love in non-verbal ways.
Volunteer.
Work less than you think you should.
Turn off your cell phone for a day.
Begin a diary.
Stop writing in your diary.
Shift gears often.
When biking, wear a helmet.
Be kind to animals.
Adopt a pet.
Be kind to children.
Adopt a child.
Support charities as you can.
Visit a new place once a week.
Lay down on the floor at least once a day.
Use more bicarbonate of soda.
Use more vinegar.
Reject most TV.
Reject most movies.
Read a book.
Then read another book.
Then tell someone about the first book.
Join a club.
Vote.
Make love as much as possible.
Hug your kids.
Listen to as many people as possible.
Look people in the eyes
Above all,
Be well..
Saturday, March 4, 2006
Mindful Silence
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
My suggestion for today is to spend the day in mindful silence. It is a good practice.
Speak only when spoken to in as limited and gentle way as possible. When we do this we are placing ourselves in the position of being open to our lives in a way that doesn't happen when we are busy with our minds and mouths.
Knowing that we are not speaking, we can listen more closely. Listening more closely enables a more intimate connection to be made to our world. It is in this intimacy that profound change occurs.
___
Due to lack of participants, today's Zazenkai at Zen Center is cancelled. Please remember we have our Hannamatsuri sesshin scheduled for the first Friday weekend of April.
Be well.
Good Morning Sangha,
My suggestion for today is to spend the day in mindful silence. It is a good practice.
Speak only when spoken to in as limited and gentle way as possible. When we do this we are placing ourselves in the position of being open to our lives in a way that doesn't happen when we are busy with our minds and mouths.
Knowing that we are not speaking, we can listen more closely. Listening more closely enables a more intimate connection to be made to our world. It is in this intimacy that profound change occurs.
___
Due to lack of participants, today's Zazenkai at Zen Center is cancelled. Please remember we have our Hannamatsuri sesshin scheduled for the first Friday weekend of April.
Be well.
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