With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Waking at 3:30, I did what anyone would do, prepared the residence for the day. I made coffee, sorted change, put the clean dishes away, set up the altar, made toast, and ate. I am now here at the computer, seated n my room, and considering my day with you.
My Jisha (assistant) went through my weekly calendar yesterday on our way to El Paso. We were looking for ways to better organize my efforts, as well as to see just how thin I was getting pulled: not too bad, actually. In the end, a few things sorted themselves out. My task at this point is to put together a list of my aims and set them in a priority. I am working on this, but I can say these are the main categories: Zazen/Contemplative practice, Engaged practice, Teaching, Temple work, Order of Clear Mind Zen Administration, and Personal time.
The Juarez project has solidified. I will go there on the third Sunday of the month, offer assistance and a Teaching, and then return to Las Cruces in the afternoon. We have decided it is best for me to walk across “the bridge” into Mexico than drive. My students will meet me there and take me to the new center. This means it will be the third weekend of each month that I will also be in El Paso for the Both Sides/No Sides Zen Community.
I am also offering a weekly time for those interested in Zen to gather at my residence for an informal discussion of Zen, its practices, and teachings. I am scheduling this for late Friday afternoon from between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, weekly.
Lastly, donations to support these activities are always welcome. There is a donation link on this page. Thank you very much!
This week:
Daily zazen at Roshi's Zendo at 7:00 AM
Monday 10:00 AM Veteran's Park Zazen
Monday 4:00 PM Spirituality Discussion Group
Tuesday 11:00 AM Veteran's Park Zazen
Tuesday 4:00 PM Meditation and Yoga, Temple Beth El
Wednesday 5:00 PM Meditation and Yoga, Temple Beth El
Thursday 10:30 AM Zazen at Unity Church on Wyatt
Friday 10:00 AM Veteran's Park Zazen
Friday 4:00 PM Zen Discussion Group
Be well,
Organ Mountain Zen
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Busy-ness
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Yesterday I spent considerable time with my Teacher, Ken Hogaku McGuire-roshi. He made several suggestions about my residential Zendo, smacked me with his kyosaku a few times regarding my busy schedule, but most of all we talked about our practice. He thinks I overdo things and do not give myself the nurturance I need to continue to do my work. He is correct.
In a couple of weeks I will leave for the Omega Institute in New York state to participate in a retreat for veterans conducted by my friend Claude Anshin Thomas. Anshin amazes me. He was a door gunner on a Huey in Vietnam, survived being shot down several times and found himself in the lap of the Buddha decades later. I am going to practice with him, deepen my relationship with him, and learn from him.
May we all open to the teachings of those around us. The entire universe is our teacher and we are so often so busy that we fail to be present and miss its teachings. One day we open our eyes only to come face to face with the Infinite and look back with great sorrow.
Our lives must be lived, lived whole-heartedly, and without reservation. Invite the bell to ring.
Be well.
Today: Temple Services at 10:15, a noon talk on a unique Peace Camp, and at 3:00 PM a meeting in El Paso regarding creating a Juarez Zen Center.
Donations to the Order of Clear Mind Zen go to support our practice, help defray travel expenses, and help produce handouts to those who wish to receive them. Please consider making a small offering.
Good Morning Everyone,
Yesterday I spent considerable time with my Teacher, Ken Hogaku McGuire-roshi. He made several suggestions about my residential Zendo, smacked me with his kyosaku a few times regarding my busy schedule, but most of all we talked about our practice. He thinks I overdo things and do not give myself the nurturance I need to continue to do my work. He is correct.
In a couple of weeks I will leave for the Omega Institute in New York state to participate in a retreat for veterans conducted by my friend Claude Anshin Thomas. Anshin amazes me. He was a door gunner on a Huey in Vietnam, survived being shot down several times and found himself in the lap of the Buddha decades later. I am going to practice with him, deepen my relationship with him, and learn from him.
May we all open to the teachings of those around us. The entire universe is our teacher and we are so often so busy that we fail to be present and miss its teachings. One day we open our eyes only to come face to face with the Infinite and look back with great sorrow.
Our lives must be lived, lived whole-heartedly, and without reservation. Invite the bell to ring.
Be well.
Today: Temple Services at 10:15, a noon talk on a unique Peace Camp, and at 3:00 PM a meeting in El Paso regarding creating a Juarez Zen Center.
Donations to the Order of Clear Mind Zen go to support our practice, help defray travel expenses, and help produce handouts to those who wish to receive them. Please consider making a small offering.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
I Vow
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is another full day. Beginning at 7:00 AM Zazen (daily at my Residential Zendo) I have Breakfast with the Boys at 9:30, Zazen at Unity Church at 10:30, a Peace Celebration Planning Committee Meeting at 1:00, a Hospital Visit after that and a Hebrew class at TBE at 7:00 PM.
I enjoy days like this, days that seem to flow from one activity to another. Maybe it’s the flow, maybe it’s the variety of experience, or maybe it’s just the experience of being in service. It really does not matter, nor does it matter whether I enjoy them or not.
We do and then we feel. Our commitments are a higher priority and value than our feelings about our commitments or the experience of doing our commitments. Commitment arises from vow. In Zen, as we recite our Four Great Vows, we say “sei gon” which means a prayerful vow. This is something a bit more than a promise; it’s a commitment to practice a unity between two things that are, in essence, One: Self and Other. A Fearless Bodhisattva just does with a whole heart.
So “like,” “don’t like” are not really factors to consider regards doing. They are factors to consider in understanding ourselves. But that is different work and the subject of another time.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is another full day. Beginning at 7:00 AM Zazen (daily at my Residential Zendo) I have Breakfast with the Boys at 9:30, Zazen at Unity Church at 10:30, a Peace Celebration Planning Committee Meeting at 1:00, a Hospital Visit after that and a Hebrew class at TBE at 7:00 PM.
I enjoy days like this, days that seem to flow from one activity to another. Maybe it’s the flow, maybe it’s the variety of experience, or maybe it’s just the experience of being in service. It really does not matter, nor does it matter whether I enjoy them or not.
We do and then we feel. Our commitments are a higher priority and value than our feelings about our commitments or the experience of doing our commitments. Commitment arises from vow. In Zen, as we recite our Four Great Vows, we say “sei gon” which means a prayerful vow. This is something a bit more than a promise; it’s a commitment to practice a unity between two things that are, in essence, One: Self and Other. A Fearless Bodhisattva just does with a whole heart.
So “like,” “don’t like” are not really factors to consider regards doing. They are factors to consider in understanding ourselves. But that is different work and the subject of another time.
Be well.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Kannon
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)