With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The day today is full. Breakfast Discussion Group, Torah class, lunch with friends, meeting with my Teacher Hogaku-roshi, meditation, yoga, and finally Journey's Class. Somewhere in there I need to do a walk.
Such days remind me of my working life when every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM were accounted for in a huge professional office calendar.Need time to just look at the sky? Better block it in!
Sometimes this is a very good thing. If we are not so very well disciplined, a calendar is a wonderful tool. We should not, however, obsess over it! People are often surprised by how much time is actually spent in mindlessness. No time to practice zazen? BS! Got time to pee? Of course. Well?
Discipline has gotten such a bad rep. It is far too often placed in opposition to freedom and creativity. Big mistake. Its like responsibility. No responsibility, no freedom. No morning, no evening. As sleep walkers we can get away with this. But as bodhisattvas, it is impossible.
Discipline offers s a form within which we are free. Freedom within form is delicious. Freedom without form is chaos. Just keep in mind, both form and emptiness are one in the same.
Be well
PS., I found a time to walk.
Organ Mountain Zen
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Kannon Sutra
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The Kannon Sutra:
"Kanzeon,
Praise to Buddha,
All are one with Buddha,
All awake to Buddha,
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha,
Eternal joyous selfless pure,
Through the day
Kanzeon,
Through the night
Kanzeon,
This moment arises from Mind,
This moment itself is Mind."
This little piece is powerful. Kanzeon or Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion. A Bodhisattva is an "awakened being" (or one devoted to, and on the path to, awakening). Kannon hears the cries of the world. She/he responds with myriad hands. We should not think of Kannon as a God-being. Kannon is us, each one of us. Kannon is our own compassion.
When we chant this sutra, we are inviting our own compassion to emerge. We are acknowledging the beauty of being awake, the complete unity of the universe, and expressing a base fact: nothing is not as it should be. Everything is because everything is, all deeply connected through both time and space.
So, we open ourselves and create a willingness to hear the suffering of beings, of ourselves, as we go through the various proceses of living and dying. Night and day, and we place our attention on a compassionate reply.
Eternity is nothing. It is a concept. This moment arises from a concept of Mind. What is, is Mind, yet, even this, when named, dies.
Here is the thing. Forget about it. This sutra, delightfully simple and straight forward, shows us how. Its all about placing our attention on what is most important, our love for everything.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
The Kannon Sutra:
"Kanzeon,
Praise to Buddha,
All are one with Buddha,
All awake to Buddha,
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha,
Eternal joyous selfless pure,
Through the day
Kanzeon,
Through the night
Kanzeon,
This moment arises from Mind,
This moment itself is Mind."
This little piece is powerful. Kanzeon or Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion. A Bodhisattva is an "awakened being" (or one devoted to, and on the path to, awakening). Kannon hears the cries of the world. She/he responds with myriad hands. We should not think of Kannon as a God-being. Kannon is us, each one of us. Kannon is our own compassion.
When we chant this sutra, we are inviting our own compassion to emerge. We are acknowledging the beauty of being awake, the complete unity of the universe, and expressing a base fact: nothing is not as it should be. Everything is because everything is, all deeply connected through both time and space.
So, we open ourselves and create a willingness to hear the suffering of beings, of ourselves, as we go through the various proceses of living and dying. Night and day, and we place our attention on a compassionate reply.
Eternity is nothing. It is a concept. This moment arises from a concept of Mind. What is, is Mind, yet, even this, when named, dies.
Here is the thing. Forget about it. This sutra, delightfully simple and straight forward, shows us how. Its all about placing our attention on what is most important, our love for everything.
Be well.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Going No Where Again
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Groundhog day. I just wrote a marvelous little note on Going No Where, Version Two, and in the spellcheck, refreshed the page and lost the entire post. Reconstruction never works. So, I will begin afresh.
More or less.
I have thought to myself often, "I'm going no where". I wonder now what that really means. To say such a thing points to a dream, a fantasy, that has no reality except in my mind. It is also a set-up for disappointment, as life never is as it is in our mind's eye.
In truth there is no where to go. The only place we are (at this moment) is here, now, with me. If we allow ourselves room in our brain for another place to go, we are pushing out our true reality, our actual life, in favor of a thought. In so doing we lose our life. Not a good idea. Worse, a bad reality,
So, here is the thing. Whatever is your life, embrace it. Make it whole. Allow no spaces for somewhere else to enter. To manipulate an old saying: "When walking walk, when dreaming dream, when sitting sit, above all;, don't get things confused.."
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Groundhog day. I just wrote a marvelous little note on Going No Where, Version Two, and in the spellcheck, refreshed the page and lost the entire post. Reconstruction never works. So, I will begin afresh.
More or less.
I have thought to myself often, "I'm going no where". I wonder now what that really means. To say such a thing points to a dream, a fantasy, that has no reality except in my mind. It is also a set-up for disappointment, as life never is as it is in our mind's eye.
In truth there is no where to go. The only place we are (at this moment) is here, now, with me. If we allow ourselves room in our brain for another place to go, we are pushing out our true reality, our actual life, in favor of a thought. In so doing we lose our life. Not a good idea. Worse, a bad reality,
So, here is the thing. Whatever is your life, embrace it. Make it whole. Allow no spaces for somewhere else to enter. To manipulate an old saying: "When walking walk, when dreaming dream, when sitting sit, above all;, don't get things confused.."
Be well.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Going No Where
With palms together,
Good Evening Everyone,
Having just returned from the Refuge, had dinner, washed the dishes, and done the laundry, I am now sitting quietly in my small Zendo. I chanted the Hanya Shin Gyo and deeply experienced its truth. There is something about that sutra that gets me every time. I just get caught in the sound of the drum and the drone of the characters. Or should I say,a self that never was drops away to allow a Self that always was to emerge. Star-stuff.
Of a sudden, there is no thing else, just the sound: just he beat, the bell, the breath.
This is as it should be. A wake-up in the middle of nothing to go no where for no thing. Just to be is enough. I often forget that.
Granddaughter Sammi took my iPhone outside this evening. I have a "Planets" app on it and she can take a 3D look at the horizon and pick out the constellations. She also took son Jason's Camaro out and learned to do donuts or something with her father's skilled guidance. She learned there are marvels in just standing under the sky, as well as in driving oneself across the desert floor only to feel the horses slide out from under her in sharp turns.
A wake up in the middle of no thing to go no where for no thing. That's what I am talking about: enjoy.
StreetZen in the morning at 10:30 AM, Veteran's Park. Zazen at the Roshi's Zendo each morning at 6:30 AM.
Good Evening Everyone,
Having just returned from the Refuge, had dinner, washed the dishes, and done the laundry, I am now sitting quietly in my small Zendo. I chanted the Hanya Shin Gyo and deeply experienced its truth. There is something about that sutra that gets me every time. I just get caught in the sound of the drum and the drone of the characters. Or should I say,a self that never was drops away to allow a Self that always was to emerge. Star-stuff.
Of a sudden, there is no thing else, just the sound: just he beat, the bell, the breath.
This is as it should be. A wake-up in the middle of nothing to go no where for no thing. Just to be is enough. I often forget that.
Granddaughter Sammi took my iPhone outside this evening. I have a "Planets" app on it and she can take a 3D look at the horizon and pick out the constellations. She also took son Jason's Camaro out and learned to do donuts or something with her father's skilled guidance. She learned there are marvels in just standing under the sky, as well as in driving oneself across the desert floor only to feel the horses slide out from under her in sharp turns.
A wake up in the middle of no thing to go no where for no thing. That's what I am talking about: enjoy.
StreetZen in the morning at 10:30 AM, Veteran's Park. Zazen at the Roshi's Zendo each morning at 6:30 AM.
Roshi Returns
With palms together,
Good Afternoon All,
We are now in Las Cruces unpacking and decompressing from the journey down from the Refuge. I practiced zazen facing the wooden wall. It is clear much work needs to be done there. So, I will be returning shortly.
In any event, It was good to get to the mountains and enjoy some time with family, especially Granddaughter Sammi, who loves the place.
I will post more later.
Be well.
Good Afternoon All,
We are now in Las Cruces unpacking and decompressing from the journey down from the Refuge. I practiced zazen facing the wooden wall. It is clear much work needs to be done there. So, I will be returning shortly.
In any event, It was good to get to the mountains and enjoy some time with family, especially Granddaughter Sammi, who loves the place.
I will post more later.
Be well.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Modest Life
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
In the Diamond Sutra we find a single description of the Way. It is a model for understanding the paramitas. This description comprises the first chapter and simply reflects the Buddha's day.
What does a buddha do? Before noon he puts on his patched robe, picks up his bowl and walks to town. He takes his time, waits patiently in front of a few homes collecting food offerings.He eats, then returns to the grove, takes off his robe, puts his bowl away, washes his feet, and sits down on his cushion. He then turns his "awareness to what is before him."
In this brief description is everything. Buddha demonstrates generosity by making himself available to teach through a variety of means, including asking for help. He demonstrates patience through his quiet standing in front of homes begging. He teaches vigor through walking, washing, and ordering his life after eating. Sitting down on his cushion he practices meditation, And by doing these five without getting caught in them, he demonstrates wisdom.
It is a simple, but challenging life. Simple is not easy. Simple means direct and clear, unencumbered by convolutions of thought and feeling. A buddha's life is one step in front of another, doing what is there to do without jumping up and down in the process.
Does this mean we cannot reflect joy, anger, sadness, or frustration? No. When these arise, they arise and we embrace them for what they are, fleeting feelings reflecting our innermost thoughts. We feel joy, we express joy; we feel frustration, we express frustration. Yet, we do so in ways that are beneficial. Expressing like a cannon is not helpful. Creating hurt and sadness in others is not helpful. We recognize this and work to bring ourselves back to our breath and calm abiding. What is there before us in such circumstances are opportunities to examine ourselves and strengthen and improve our relationships.
The Buddha taught through his simple day, that we should abide in our day as it is. Yet, we engage it with discipline and an eye toward being of benefit to all beings. Let us be that benefit.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
In the Diamond Sutra we find a single description of the Way. It is a model for understanding the paramitas. This description comprises the first chapter and simply reflects the Buddha's day.
What does a buddha do? Before noon he puts on his patched robe, picks up his bowl and walks to town. He takes his time, waits patiently in front of a few homes collecting food offerings.He eats, then returns to the grove, takes off his robe, puts his bowl away, washes his feet, and sits down on his cushion. He then turns his "awareness to what is before him."
In this brief description is everything. Buddha demonstrates generosity by making himself available to teach through a variety of means, including asking for help. He demonstrates patience through his quiet standing in front of homes begging. He teaches vigor through walking, washing, and ordering his life after eating. Sitting down on his cushion he practices meditation, And by doing these five without getting caught in them, he demonstrates wisdom.
It is a simple, but challenging life. Simple is not easy. Simple means direct and clear, unencumbered by convolutions of thought and feeling. A buddha's life is one step in front of another, doing what is there to do without jumping up and down in the process.
Does this mean we cannot reflect joy, anger, sadness, or frustration? No. When these arise, they arise and we embrace them for what they are, fleeting feelings reflecting our innermost thoughts. We feel joy, we express joy; we feel frustration, we express frustration. Yet, we do so in ways that are beneficial. Expressing like a cannon is not helpful. Creating hurt and sadness in others is not helpful. We recognize this and work to bring ourselves back to our breath and calm abiding. What is there before us in such circumstances are opportunities to examine ourselves and strengthen and improve our relationships.
The Buddha taught through his simple day, that we should abide in our day as it is. Yet, we engage it with discipline and an eye toward being of benefit to all beings. Let us be that benefit.
Be well.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Paramitas
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
There are six paramitas in Zen. These are perfections or excellence's. Some might call them values. The paramitas are six manifestations of the facets of our essential face. They are the "what" of us, rather than the "who".
If I ask myself who was I before my father and mother were born, before my father's father, my mother's mother, what would I say? If I said, "Ridiculous, there was no me before I was born!", I could say, "That's skirting the question! I am only approaching the clothing, not the body."
Under the clothes, who is there? Honestly, I must answer with some reference to core elements, eh? Father is there, mother is there. Teachers, friends, neighbors, lovers, wife, children, all are there. The me of me does not exist in a vacuum, the me of me has been, and always will be conditioned, that is, subject to cause and effect and has thus been in existence in some shape or form for infinity. The who of me is always dependent.
So, any word would be incorrect. A word would lead me away from my essential self and into endless philosophical quicksand. We would be entertained, but we would not be any wiser.
If, on the other hand, I asked "What was I before my father and mother were born?" Now this question focuses our attention on something else again. What am I? What is my essential nature? How do I know it? Again, saying any word would be a mistake, I would have to show me myself.
The what of me is purposeful. It is for the sake of, rather than because of (a different, but useful tack on causation). So, too, my essential self The paramitas are expressions of purpose, the purpose of our essential nature, a universal and infinite nature.
Generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom are the essential, core and universal aspects of our being. They are not values, they are manifestations. They are the what of us. They are also the purpose of our existence.
Our practice is to uncover and release them.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
There are six paramitas in Zen. These are perfections or excellence's. Some might call them values. The paramitas are six manifestations of the facets of our essential face. They are the "what" of us, rather than the "who".
If I ask myself who was I before my father and mother were born, before my father's father, my mother's mother, what would I say? If I said, "Ridiculous, there was no me before I was born!", I could say, "That's skirting the question! I am only approaching the clothing, not the body."
Under the clothes, who is there? Honestly, I must answer with some reference to core elements, eh? Father is there, mother is there. Teachers, friends, neighbors, lovers, wife, children, all are there. The me of me does not exist in a vacuum, the me of me has been, and always will be conditioned, that is, subject to cause and effect and has thus been in existence in some shape or form for infinity. The who of me is always dependent.
So, any word would be incorrect. A word would lead me away from my essential self and into endless philosophical quicksand. We would be entertained, but we would not be any wiser.
If, on the other hand, I asked "What was I before my father and mother were born?" Now this question focuses our attention on something else again. What am I? What is my essential nature? How do I know it? Again, saying any word would be a mistake, I would have to show me myself.
The what of me is purposeful. It is for the sake of, rather than because of (a different, but useful tack on causation). So, too, my essential self The paramitas are expressions of purpose, the purpose of our essential nature, a universal and infinite nature.
Generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom are the essential, core and universal aspects of our being. They are not values, they are manifestations. They are the what of us. They are also the purpose of our existence.
Our practice is to uncover and release them.
Be well.
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