Zen

With palms together,




Good Morning Everyone,







For me, Zen is nothing more than a process of unfolding. In such a process, there is nothing really to teach except the process itself. Each of us experiences the process individually and in our own way and time. What is essential is our attitude, or our stance, toward each moment as it arises.







Being open, allowing what we think is real and true to fall away, this is Zen.







This falling away may be sudden or gradual, but with practice it will happen. Some of us resist: who wants to be empty?







Some of us dive right in: who wants to be solid?







Most of us just practice, not at all concerned about outcome: this is the way.







Be well.

Today

With palms together,


Good Morning Everyone,



In the interest of full disclosure, it is dark outside. The candles in the Zendo are casting that warm light that they do under such conditions, almost begging for all other light sources to be excluded. The incense wafts through the room, as the open window allows a breeze. Desert air is always so refreshing in the morning.



We are excited that the Order will finally have a home of its own. I will keep you posted.



Today:



7:00 AM Zazen at Zendo

8:30 AM Peace Camp Zazen at TBE

2:00 PM Dokusan with Ron at Zendo

5:00 PM Dokusan with Shoji on Skype

7:00 PM Zazen in Zendo



Be well.

Rest Over

With palms together,

We found a delightful space for our Temple this afternoon.  A Letter of Intent is on its way.  I am very hopeful. Dharma Combat will resume this Friday at 4:00 PM. at Student Kathryn Soku Shin Masaryk's residence.

Be well.

Sitting schedule as follows:

Daily at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM at Condo Zendo

Monday and Friday at 9:00 AM at Zen in the Park at Sagecrest Park, corner of Roadrunner and Frontier.

Sunday Services: 7:00 AM (informal), Formal at 9:00 AM.

Cutting Back

Dear Readers,

I will be seriously cutting back on my Internet use and presence.   I will post a few things from time to time, but in the main, am taking a long awaited vacation.

Be well.

Schedule Changes

Sangha and Friends:




Weekly Schedule



This week and next we have Peace Camp at 8:30 AM.The first week Temple Beth El will host it; the second week Peace Lutheran Church will host it. Dharma Teacher Reba Zen Shin Montera and I will be offering Zen Meditation instruction to the children at 8:30 AM daily.



I have decided to alter our practice schedule at Clear Mind Zen in the hope of attracting other sitters to join us.



I am changing my daily schedule so that we sit in the park a little later, Beginning Tuesday the following will be our schedule.



Zendo 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily,



Zen in Sagecrest Park at 9:00 AM on Monday and Friday only



and Formal Zen in Zendo at 9:00 AM on Sunday.



Zen Dharma Combat at 4:00 PM Friday



Saturday we are off.



Please undertstand, our situation is fluid and may change at any moment. I am searching for a permenant home for Clear Mind Zen. If you should know of a building availbale that has a bath and a kitchen, please let me know. Our upper limit in rent is $600.00.

Today

With palms together,


Good Morning Everyone,





This morning at 7:00 AM, we will practice Zen at Sagecrest Park on the corner of Roadrunner and Frontier and this afternoon our Zen discussion group will discuss the Hsin Hsin Ming (Faith Mind poem) of the Third Patriarch. This is an incredibly deep and profound teaching offered by the Dharma grandson of Master Bodhidharma. A copy can be found at our website: www.clearmindzen.org The group meets at 4:00 PM at the Condo Zendo.



This evening at 7:00 PM we will begin our Obon Sesshin. Obon serves at least two purposes: a time to remember our deceased loved ones and a time to assist the Hungry Ghosts, those unfortunate ones who can never get enough and are thus always seeking and never receiving. During this period, we look for the Hungry Ghost in ourselves and treat him or her with great generosity and compassion. We will hold an Obon service on Sunday morning to offer cakes to the Hungry Ghosts.



Let us practice to open the hand that grips us.



Be well.

Last Post for Awhile

With palms together,

We will be going into Obon sesshin soon and after that I will travel to the mountain refuge. I will be doing a ninety day ango there alone.

May you each be a blessing in the universe.