With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
We conclude this week with Peace Camp at 8:30 AM, Morning Services at 9:30 AM, and Evening Services at 6:00 PM. It has been a full week with Peace Camp each morning back to back with our Morning Service, and on Thursday, our effort to bring Zen to the youth at the Southern New Mexico Juvenile Corrections Facility. Soku Shin co-led Peace Camp, Student Steve assisted with the Corrections Facility, and we are now looking at a day of rest on Saturday.
Sunday we will offer our weekly Zen Service with Tea Service and Teisho. We will follow this with a discussion of our recent Sesshin. We will provide coffee, tea, and muffins for this discussion’s refreshments.
We have ordered two copies of the Heart of Being and two copies of the Eight Gates of Zen, texts used in our two discussion groups. The order was delivered somewhere yesterday, just not to us. Amazon has shipped overnight another order. It is supposed to arrive today. We will see.
Lastly, we will offer a Zazenkai Saturday, August 6th from 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM. This is a day long meditation retreat with the contemplative eating practice of Oryoki featured at lunch. Please consider joining us. Email me your reservation. Our suggested donation fee is $15.00.
I hope to see you soon.
Yours,
Daiho
Organ Mountain Zen
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
What's What?
With respect,
Good Morning Everyone,
Work with what is in front of you. Sometimes we don’t like our work, the book we are studying or the person we are within the moment. It’s all understandable and our first inclination is to change work, texts, or people in order to make a better situation. This is relatively easy to do, but is it the right thing to do?
In Zen we are asked to work with what’s presented to us. We are taught that everything has value, everything is our teacher and/or a dharma gate. This is a very important invitation as it offers us a teaching or two. First, everything is, indeed, a dharma gate, and everything is, indeed, our teacher. Second, our response to these things is also a practice point. The nature of our relationship between things is critical: do not overlook it. Is it hierarchal or horizontal? Are we “knowers” or “learners”?
How can we appreciate our lives if we cannot appreciate our actual life? As we practice not to live in a dream, to see “things as it is,” we are more able to see what is there for itself. To not do so disrespects what is there, while at the same time deprives us of a learning opportunity.
A child at play is a most excellent example for us. She plays with a pot and it becomes a drum. She plays with a box and it becomes a house. She does not think, “pot” or “drum,” “box” or “house.” She simply explores the possibilities and learns from them. We adults, on the other hand, “know” a pot is a pot and not a “drum,” or a box is a box and not a “house.” This is unfortunate. Our learning has the potential to deprive us of an open heart.
May you be a blessing today,
Daiho
Good Morning Everyone,
Work with what is in front of you. Sometimes we don’t like our work, the book we are studying or the person we are within the moment. It’s all understandable and our first inclination is to change work, texts, or people in order to make a better situation. This is relatively easy to do, but is it the right thing to do?
In Zen we are asked to work with what’s presented to us. We are taught that everything has value, everything is our teacher and/or a dharma gate. This is a very important invitation as it offers us a teaching or two. First, everything is, indeed, a dharma gate, and everything is, indeed, our teacher. Second, our response to these things is also a practice point. The nature of our relationship between things is critical: do not overlook it. Is it hierarchal or horizontal? Are we “knowers” or “learners”?
How can we appreciate our lives if we cannot appreciate our actual life? As we practice not to live in a dream, to see “things as it is,” we are more able to see what is there for itself. To not do so disrespects what is there, while at the same time deprives us of a learning opportunity.
A child at play is a most excellent example for us. She plays with a pot and it becomes a drum. She plays with a box and it becomes a house. She does not think, “pot” or “drum,” “box” or “house.” She simply explores the possibilities and learns from them. We adults, on the other hand, “know” a pot is a pot and not a “drum,” or a box is a box and not a “house.” This is unfortunate. Our learning has the potential to deprive us of an open heart.
May you be a blessing today,
Daiho
Sewing the Buddha's Robe
With respect,
Those interested in attending a rakusu sewing group for Jukai Ceremony, please reply to me via telephone or email. Soku Shin has volunteered to lead this group. Our first meeting will be Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM before Zen 101. We will then do a closing service and practice period afterwards. The sewing group is open to any who wishes to learn about the Buddha's robe and how one is made.
Be well.
Those interested in attending a rakusu sewing group for Jukai Ceremony, please reply to me via telephone or email. Soku Shin has volunteered to lead this group. Our first meeting will be Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM before Zen 101. We will then do a closing service and practice period afterwards. The sewing group is open to any who wishes to learn about the Buddha's robe and how one is made.
Be well.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July 12
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
From the outside looking in:
If we spend our day in silent illumination it is possible to begin to see every breath as life itself. Our breath is our life. Breathing in, we allow the universe to enter us; breathing out, we enter it. And in time, we discern there is no inner or outer and that flow is actually just present moment awareness. Then, there is no breathing.
Wave actualizes water. Two depends on one.
From the inside looking out:
We notice we are born in every breath, a birth that separates us one from another. Over and over we ask ourselves “who is this” which notices anything at all? And what does “notice” imply? The moment “we” notice, we create a division: this notices that. I am breathing.
Water notices wave. One depends on two.
“What are the teachings?” Master Dogen asks, the elder Tenzo replies, “One, two, three, four, five.”
Everything is both separate and not separate simultaneously. Thing and no-thing simultaneously. Through our breath we manifest both our individual and universal realities.
Relationship is everything.
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
From the outside looking in:
If we spend our day in silent illumination it is possible to begin to see every breath as life itself. Our breath is our life. Breathing in, we allow the universe to enter us; breathing out, we enter it. And in time, we discern there is no inner or outer and that flow is actually just present moment awareness. Then, there is no breathing.
Wave actualizes water. Two depends on one.
From the inside looking out:
We notice we are born in every breath, a birth that separates us one from another. Over and over we ask ourselves “who is this” which notices anything at all? And what does “notice” imply? The moment “we” notice, we create a division: this notices that. I am breathing.
Water notices wave. One depends on two.
“What are the teachings?” Master Dogen asks, the elder Tenzo replies, “One, two, three, four, five.”
Everything is both separate and not separate simultaneously. Thing and no-thing simultaneously. Through our breath we manifest both our individual and universal realities.
Relationship is everything.
Be well.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Illness
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
With the morning light comes hope for a day with less coughing and less runny nose events. My joints are no longer achy, but my nose keeps flowing and the cough is still there, though not quite as bad. I think I can actually speak in a near normal voice, as well. The sad news is that Soku Shin seems to have caught this from me. Being ill is no fun. Yet, it does bring a few benefits if we are willing to accept them.
First, being ill is a clear reminder that we are not permanent. We are of the nature to get sick. Sooner or later we will naturally succumb to illness of one sort or another. Second, illness slows us down. It is good to slow the pace from time to time. In such a slow pace it is easier to assess where we are and what we are doing with our lives. With slowness comes the third benefit of illness, appreciation. We are much more inclined to appreciate things when we are deprived of them for a time. Illness deprives us of energy and diminishes our capacity to listen to others, but at the same time it causes us to pay attention to that which we too often neglect, our bodies.
So, while I do not suggest we all go out and become sick, I do think that when we do become sick, we might pay attention to the lessons our illness may be teaching us.
May you be a blessing in the universe today.
Yours,
Daiho
Good Morning Everyone,
With the morning light comes hope for a day with less coughing and less runny nose events. My joints are no longer achy, but my nose keeps flowing and the cough is still there, though not quite as bad. I think I can actually speak in a near normal voice, as well. The sad news is that Soku Shin seems to have caught this from me. Being ill is no fun. Yet, it does bring a few benefits if we are willing to accept them.
First, being ill is a clear reminder that we are not permanent. We are of the nature to get sick. Sooner or later we will naturally succumb to illness of one sort or another. Second, illness slows us down. It is good to slow the pace from time to time. In such a slow pace it is easier to assess where we are and what we are doing with our lives. With slowness comes the third benefit of illness, appreciation. We are much more inclined to appreciate things when we are deprived of them for a time. Illness deprives us of energy and diminishes our capacity to listen to others, but at the same time it causes us to pay attention to that which we too often neglect, our bodies.
So, while I do not suggest we all go out and become sick, I do think that when we do become sick, we might pay attention to the lessons our illness may be teaching us.
May you be a blessing in the universe today.
Yours,
Daiho
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sesshin
With palms together,
Good Evening Everyone,
Our Summer Sesshin was very good, if not quite challenging for those who had to bear the sound of me with a nasty cold. I could barely speak and was in considerable distress, but sesshin is a potent and important cornerstone to our practice. We had several members of the Zen Center of Las Cruces participate, as well as three people from our El Paso Sangha. It was a packed Zendo.
Tenzo Tamra was superb in her practice. Meals were delicious and served properly: all meals were Oryoki style with our three bowl Oryoki sets. Jisha Soku Shin was our Zendo Jikido who provided supervision in the Zendo. Steve was our Doan who kept the time for Zazen and Kinhin. Rev. Dai Shugyo, our Ino, kept things going even in the midst of confusion which was, thanks to all, kept to a minimum. I was very thankful for the support of Rev. Gozen-sensei, abbot of the Zen Center of Las Cruces, for his willingness to co-officiate this event with me. I am also thankful for Rev. Kankin’s special effort to come Saturday morning from El Paso even though he has spent considerable time on the road over the last several weeks. In passing we had a cordial visit from Ken-roshi and his teacher An Gaio who is visiting from California. Fortunately, they arrived during a period where we could offer iced tea and a short tour of our Temple.
Rev. Gozen offered a lovely teisho opening night, we held an Abbot’s Dialogue at Saturday Morning services, and I offered a teisho regarding Matsuoka-roshi this morning. Tenzo Tamra lead a Study period on Master Dogen’s Instructions to the Zen Cook. Our sitting periods were extensive and strong and mindful silence was maintained most of the time.
This week we begin Peace Camp for three weeks in a row. Also we will begin our work in the youth correctional facility here in southern, New Mexico. As a reminder, Monday through Friday we practice at 9:30 AM, again at 6:00 PM. We host a Comparative Religions Discussion Group on Monday evening at 7:00, an Introduction to Zen Group on Tuesday at 7:00 PM, and a Women in Zen Group on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Please consider joining us for any of these practice opportunities.
Be well.
Good Evening Everyone,
Our Summer Sesshin was very good, if not quite challenging for those who had to bear the sound of me with a nasty cold. I could barely speak and was in considerable distress, but sesshin is a potent and important cornerstone to our practice. We had several members of the Zen Center of Las Cruces participate, as well as three people from our El Paso Sangha. It was a packed Zendo.
Tenzo Tamra was superb in her practice. Meals were delicious and served properly: all meals were Oryoki style with our three bowl Oryoki sets. Jisha Soku Shin was our Zendo Jikido who provided supervision in the Zendo. Steve was our Doan who kept the time for Zazen and Kinhin. Rev. Dai Shugyo, our Ino, kept things going even in the midst of confusion which was, thanks to all, kept to a minimum. I was very thankful for the support of Rev. Gozen-sensei, abbot of the Zen Center of Las Cruces, for his willingness to co-officiate this event with me. I am also thankful for Rev. Kankin’s special effort to come Saturday morning from El Paso even though he has spent considerable time on the road over the last several weeks. In passing we had a cordial visit from Ken-roshi and his teacher An Gaio who is visiting from California. Fortunately, they arrived during a period where we could offer iced tea and a short tour of our Temple.
Rev. Gozen offered a lovely teisho opening night, we held an Abbot’s Dialogue at Saturday Morning services, and I offered a teisho regarding Matsuoka-roshi this morning. Tenzo Tamra lead a Study period on Master Dogen’s Instructions to the Zen Cook. Our sitting periods were extensive and strong and mindful silence was maintained most of the time.
This week we begin Peace Camp for three weeks in a row. Also we will begin our work in the youth correctional facility here in southern, New Mexico. As a reminder, Monday through Friday we practice at 9:30 AM, again at 6:00 PM. We host a Comparative Religions Discussion Group on Monday evening at 7:00, an Introduction to Zen Group on Tuesday at 7:00 PM, and a Women in Zen Group on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Please consider joining us for any of these practice opportunities.
Be well.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Summer Sesshin
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
The Order of Clear Mind Zen will retreat into Summer Sesshin from today at 7:00 PM through Sunday at 4:00 PM. We will be joined by members of the Zen Center of Las Cruces and the Both Sides/No Sides Zen Sangha in El Paso.
May you each practice to be awake and thoroughly present in this moment.
Yours,
Daiho
Good Morning Everyone,
The Order of Clear Mind Zen will retreat into Summer Sesshin from today at 7:00 PM through Sunday at 4:00 PM. We will be joined by members of the Zen Center of Las Cruces and the Both Sides/No Sides Zen Sangha in El Paso.
May you each practice to be awake and thoroughly present in this moment.
Yours,
Daiho
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