With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
On my small altar in my bedroom, where I sit to write to you, is a Medicine Buddha, a small statue of Kannon and a set of photographs. The pictures are of my father and grandfather on one side and my grandfather and myself on the other side. I have placed the Bodhisattva of Compassion in the vortex between them.
My father was a wounded healer. I first wrote warrior, but corrected it as he was a medic during world war two in the south pacific. His job was blood and guts. And forever after, he washed himself with beer and whiskey.
My grandfather on my mother’s side was a gentle soul, a farmer-gardener, who made paper for a living in New Jersey. I have fond memories of summer visits, cherry trees, flowers, and tea with cinnamon sugar toast.
Together they gave rise to me. I hold Kannon in my heart center forever there to accept the cries of the universe.
Be well.
Organ Mountain Zen
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wake Up
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Awake overnight, I take advantage of the space to practice zazen and to write to you.
A monk asks, “If there is no hint of cloud in the sky for ten thousand miles, what do you say about it?” The Teacher replies, “I would punish the sky with my stick.” Queried further, the Teacher is asked, “Why do you blame the sky?” Teacher replies, “Because, there is no rain when we should have it and there is no fair-weather when we should have it.”
In his commentary on Case 32 of “The Iron Flute,” Nyogen Senzaki says, “A Zen monk punishes everything with his big stick; even Buddha and the patriarchs cannot escape that blow of Zen. His stick is the handle by which he can shake the whole universe.”
There is no room for complacency, no time for sleep. We are to be awake in order to function and our functioning is to heal the world. Complacency suggests a sleeping conscience. Just like in Zazen, where a Teacher is ever mindful of his student’s eye, we all should be mindful of the state of the world around us.
Our practice challenge is to wake up!. Our world deeply needs our willingness to embrace it, help it, and heal it.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/ap-source-confirms-video-of-baghdad-firefight-18998230
None of us are blameless.
Be well
Good Morning Everyone,
Awake overnight, I take advantage of the space to practice zazen and to write to you.
A monk asks, “If there is no hint of cloud in the sky for ten thousand miles, what do you say about it?” The Teacher replies, “I would punish the sky with my stick.” Queried further, the Teacher is asked, “Why do you blame the sky?” Teacher replies, “Because, there is no rain when we should have it and there is no fair-weather when we should have it.”
In his commentary on Case 32 of “The Iron Flute,” Nyogen Senzaki says, “A Zen monk punishes everything with his big stick; even Buddha and the patriarchs cannot escape that blow of Zen. His stick is the handle by which he can shake the whole universe.”
There is no room for complacency, no time for sleep. We are to be awake in order to function and our functioning is to heal the world. Complacency suggests a sleeping conscience. Just like in Zazen, where a Teacher is ever mindful of his student’s eye, we all should be mindful of the state of the world around us.
Our practice challenge is to wake up!. Our world deeply needs our willingness to embrace it, help it, and heal it.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/ap-source-confirms-video-of-baghdad-firefight-18998230
None of us are blameless.
Be well
Monday, April 5, 2010
Notes for the Week
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Today I sit zazen at the Veteran’s Park at 10:00 AM. The early afternoon will be for accounting and the late afternoon for Study Group at 4:00 PM. Today our small group will meet at McGuire-roshi’s home out on the East Mesa. I invite any of you to attend either my morning zazen or afternoon Study Group.
I have turned my condo into a Zendo. I have decided that, since I am now a full time monk, I will offer myself to you full time. This means if you want private Zen instruction, please call me to make an appointment and I will receive you. My condo is “ground floor”, on a courtyard. It is rather pleasant and I think the space will be a wonderful space for practice. If you cannot visit in person and would like to have a conversation via “chat” or telephone, please let me know and we will schedule a time. I am on Facebook and Tricycle both of which have “chat” functions. Also I have Skype and can do video conferencing.
As to accounting, I am reminded that it is time to ask for dana. It is not that I am poor and cannot afford to provide either for myself or for CMZ. It is rather an obligation we each have to access that aspect of us that is called Generosity. Touching this space is excellent practice and really should be done, according to our tradition, without a thought of self.
If you would please consider ofering a few dollars to my dana bowl either in person or via PayPal, CMZ would greatly appreciate it. You may access CMZ PayPal through our website: http://www.clearmindzen.org
Lastly, in a few weeks I will be traveling to New York State to the Omega Institute in order to participate in a Zen retreat for Veterans. I do not travel easily. Something about my PTSD has issues with security and trust, etc. But I AM working with this. I will also be meeting with dos personas from Juarez, Mexico to begin the process of creating a Clear Mind Zen affiliate in that violence-rife city.
We will need donations for Zafus, Zabutons, altar supplies, a Buddha, a bell, and a Mokugyo. This is what Sangha is all about. We must offer our presence to the people of Juarez and create a safe and peaceful space. I need your help.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Today I sit zazen at the Veteran’s Park at 10:00 AM. The early afternoon will be for accounting and the late afternoon for Study Group at 4:00 PM. Today our small group will meet at McGuire-roshi’s home out on the East Mesa. I invite any of you to attend either my morning zazen or afternoon Study Group.
I have turned my condo into a Zendo. I have decided that, since I am now a full time monk, I will offer myself to you full time. This means if you want private Zen instruction, please call me to make an appointment and I will receive you. My condo is “ground floor”, on a courtyard. It is rather pleasant and I think the space will be a wonderful space for practice. If you cannot visit in person and would like to have a conversation via “chat” or telephone, please let me know and we will schedule a time. I am on Facebook and Tricycle both of which have “chat” functions. Also I have Skype and can do video conferencing.
As to accounting, I am reminded that it is time to ask for dana. It is not that I am poor and cannot afford to provide either for myself or for CMZ. It is rather an obligation we each have to access that aspect of us that is called Generosity. Touching this space is excellent practice and really should be done, according to our tradition, without a thought of self.
If you would please consider ofering a few dollars to my dana bowl either in person or via PayPal, CMZ would greatly appreciate it. You may access CMZ PayPal through our website: http://www.clearmindzen.org
Lastly, in a few weeks I will be traveling to New York State to the Omega Institute in order to participate in a Zen retreat for Veterans. I do not travel easily. Something about my PTSD has issues with security and trust, etc. But I AM working with this. I will also be meeting with dos personas from Juarez, Mexico to begin the process of creating a Clear Mind Zen affiliate in that violence-rife city.
We will need donations for Zafus, Zabutons, altar supplies, a Buddha, a bell, and a Mokugyo. This is what Sangha is all about. We must offer our presence to the people of Juarez and create a safe and peaceful space. I need your help.
Be well.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Spring
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Legend has is that the Israelites were held as slaves in Egypt for four hundred years and then were freed; legend has it that a man named Siddartha was born and would offer hope to the world as the Awakened One; legend has it that a man named Jesus was executed and rose from the dead. Each of these in different centuries, but in the same season: the spring equinox.
There is something about spring that stirs us and offers us light in darkness. For some, it is the religious significance of the season, for others, the blossoming leaves on trees suggests a natural rhythm to life itself. We are once again on the move coming out of the cloistered cold walls of winter.
Cycles point to process. Each of these historic or metaphoric events recognizes and reminds us that our liberation from bondage is not a “one time does the trick” thing, it’s a process, an eternal process. As it turns out, just like finally achieving a long sought after goal, another, even better goal surfaces to lure us on.
We all live in bondage as the Infinite through Moses, Buddha, and Jesus taught, and there is a way out of this bondage, its called ‘going forth.” The Israelites left everything they knew and went out into the desert, the Buddha left everything he knew and went out into the wilderness, and Jesus did the same. What were they thinking!
A full cup cannot be refreshed. To learn, to open, to be free, we must drop away what we think we know and take a step into the unknown. This is the step of faith, the step that leads to our own personal transformation: it is the step of liberation. This is spring.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Legend has is that the Israelites were held as slaves in Egypt for four hundred years and then were freed; legend has it that a man named Siddartha was born and would offer hope to the world as the Awakened One; legend has it that a man named Jesus was executed and rose from the dead. Each of these in different centuries, but in the same season: the spring equinox.
There is something about spring that stirs us and offers us light in darkness. For some, it is the religious significance of the season, for others, the blossoming leaves on trees suggests a natural rhythm to life itself. We are once again on the move coming out of the cloistered cold walls of winter.
Cycles point to process. Each of these historic or metaphoric events recognizes and reminds us that our liberation from bondage is not a “one time does the trick” thing, it’s a process, an eternal process. As it turns out, just like finally achieving a long sought after goal, another, even better goal surfaces to lure us on.
We all live in bondage as the Infinite through Moses, Buddha, and Jesus taught, and there is a way out of this bondage, its called ‘going forth.” The Israelites left everything they knew and went out into the desert, the Buddha left everything he knew and went out into the wilderness, and Jesus did the same. What were they thinking!
A full cup cannot be refreshed. To learn, to open, to be free, we must drop away what we think we know and take a step into the unknown. This is the step of faith, the step that leads to our own personal transformation: it is the step of liberation. This is spring.
Be well.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Both Sides/No Sides
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is a wonderful day. The sun has not risen yet, but the eastern sky is pregnant. This morning several Order members will drive to El Paso to the Both Sides No Sides Zen Sangha. Also meeting there will be my Teacher, Hogaku-roshi, his wife, Shin Getsu-roshi, and several of my priest disciples. It is always a delight to have everyone come together, but doubly so for such an occasion as Shukke Tokudo, priest ordination.
In ancient times, priests were required to leave home in order to enter the Way. It was believed, and so Master Dogen taught, that the duties of a householder precluded the aims of a priest. Renunciation of all worldly things, including family was understood to be necessary.
Today, we do not necessarily hold that view in the Zen world. Although some monastic centers such as Shasta Abbey (Order of Buddhist Contemplatives) does require celibacy and priests are not allowed to be married.
The Order of Clear Mind Zen takes the position that householding is just as clear a dharma gate as monastic life, or the challenges of celibacy, or those of he life of a wandering Buddhist. It is the attitude one takes toward any given moment that allows the Dharma to emerge.
An attitude of “Don’t Know” and “Just Go Straight” as Master Seung Sahn was fond of using, is essential and possible within home life. In fact, I would argue that home life is an incredibly powerful Zen practice arena.
Still, there is something to be said for waiting until we have a few years under our proverbial belts. Elders are not always so prone to so eagerly jump into change, often have the wisdom only a long view can provide, and have often mastered a degree of patience those younger students do not share.
In the case of today’s ordination, Student Hen Shin, has waited, churned, and stewed with Zen for many years. I have churned and stewed with him. Hen Shin is a remarkable poet (Goggle Bobby Byrd) and a man with an incredible social conscience. Together, he and his student, John, built the Both sides/No Sides Zen community which bridges both the US and Mexican communities in the El Paso/Juarez area. I am indeed blessed to call this man my friend.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is a wonderful day. The sun has not risen yet, but the eastern sky is pregnant. This morning several Order members will drive to El Paso to the Both Sides No Sides Zen Sangha. Also meeting there will be my Teacher, Hogaku-roshi, his wife, Shin Getsu-roshi, and several of my priest disciples. It is always a delight to have everyone come together, but doubly so for such an occasion as Shukke Tokudo, priest ordination.
In ancient times, priests were required to leave home in order to enter the Way. It was believed, and so Master Dogen taught, that the duties of a householder precluded the aims of a priest. Renunciation of all worldly things, including family was understood to be necessary.
Today, we do not necessarily hold that view in the Zen world. Although some monastic centers such as Shasta Abbey (Order of Buddhist Contemplatives) does require celibacy and priests are not allowed to be married.
The Order of Clear Mind Zen takes the position that householding is just as clear a dharma gate as monastic life, or the challenges of celibacy, or those of he life of a wandering Buddhist. It is the attitude one takes toward any given moment that allows the Dharma to emerge.
An attitude of “Don’t Know” and “Just Go Straight” as Master Seung Sahn was fond of using, is essential and possible within home life. In fact, I would argue that home life is an incredibly powerful Zen practice arena.
Still, there is something to be said for waiting until we have a few years under our proverbial belts. Elders are not always so prone to so eagerly jump into change, often have the wisdom only a long view can provide, and have often mastered a degree of patience those younger students do not share.
In the case of today’s ordination, Student Hen Shin, has waited, churned, and stewed with Zen for many years. I have churned and stewed with him. Hen Shin is a remarkable poet (Goggle Bobby Byrd) and a man with an incredible social conscience. Together, he and his student, John, built the Both sides/No Sides Zen community which bridges both the US and Mexican communities in the El Paso/Juarez area. I am indeed blessed to call this man my friend.
Be well.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Bones
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The morning air is chilly again and my bones ache as I roll over in my sleeping bag bed in my empty room. I wait eagerly for summer as my body feels so much better when it is warm and sweaty.
There is an old koan that talks about no hot, no cold. When we are in a centered place, the place of prajna paramita, a place of just this breath with no discernment, there is, indeed, no hot or cold. Yet, this place also has hot and cold: So, when hot, get cooler; when cold, get warmer. The truth of Zen is that both are true simultaneously. The Absolute Truth contains the Relative Truth and the Relative Truth contains the Absolute Truth.
So what?
When my bones ache, I take an anti-inflammatory pill. I do so without judgment, discernment, or second-guessing. To live this way is to live at one. At the top of the hundred-foot pole we step out in complete faith.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
The morning air is chilly again and my bones ache as I roll over in my sleeping bag bed in my empty room. I wait eagerly for summer as my body feels so much better when it is warm and sweaty.
There is an old koan that talks about no hot, no cold. When we are in a centered place, the place of prajna paramita, a place of just this breath with no discernment, there is, indeed, no hot or cold. Yet, this place also has hot and cold: So, when hot, get cooler; when cold, get warmer. The truth of Zen is that both are true simultaneously. The Absolute Truth contains the Relative Truth and the Relative Truth contains the Absolute Truth.
So what?
When my bones ache, I take an anti-inflammatory pill. I do so without judgment, discernment, or second-guessing. To live this way is to live at one. At the top of the hundred-foot pole we step out in complete faith.
Be well.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Gyate
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Yesterday I visited a Nursing Home to arrange visits and transportation to services at Temple Beth El. The person I was visiting sat in his wheelchair slumped facing his bed. He was still, as if in deep meditation, and indeed, had studied with Senzaki roshi years ago in California. We talked for a little while, or what passed for talking, mostly him asking me the same questions and I answering the same answers. Every once in awhile he will say with fire in his eyes, “Zen!”
I practice kinhin through the halls on the way out of the home whispering to myself, “Gya te, gya te, hara gya te, hara so gya te, Bodhi so waka!”
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Yesterday I visited a Nursing Home to arrange visits and transportation to services at Temple Beth El. The person I was visiting sat in his wheelchair slumped facing his bed. He was still, as if in deep meditation, and indeed, had studied with Senzaki roshi years ago in California. We talked for a little while, or what passed for talking, mostly him asking me the same questions and I answering the same answers. Every once in awhile he will say with fire in his eyes, “Zen!”
I practice kinhin through the halls on the way out of the home whispering to myself, “Gya te, gya te, hara gya te, hara so gya te, Bodhi so waka!”
Be well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)