On the Street

With respect,

This afternoon we will practice serene reflection meditation on the sidewalk in front of the Federal Building in downtown Las Cruces, NM.Street practice is a marvelously liberating practice: just yourself and your cushion under the bright, open sky.  As I sit there I occasionally have the thought arise that this is exactly what the Buddha himself did.  All of his thoughts, fears, and dreams come to mind.  People walked past him as he practiced.  Maybe they spoke to him, maybe not.  Some friendly, some not.  Perhaps he even had encounters with town authorities as he stood begging for food or addressed the social concerns of his day.  Just so, me and you. Yes, its true.  Buddha is none other than Everyman. Because this is so, as we sit, stand, walk, or lay down, we are experiencing exactly the same world as Buddha did.  The face of that world may appear differently, but its true nature is the same.  So, as we sip our morning coffee, run to the bathroom, or eat out toast, please do so with a  mind as open as the sky and consider doing what you can do to make our world a better place.

Be well. 

Street Zen

With respect,




This afternoon I will take a blanket and zafu and sit down on the sidewalk in front of the Federal Building in Las Cruces at 4:00 PM. This sitting is not just sitting, but is the practice of serene reflection as was done in the ancient times when monks walked, stood, sat, and taught only in public spaces. We call this practice today "street Zen" and we use it to bear witness for peace and serenity.



It is a fast and mindless life most of us live today. We live without real connection to our world, the actual world of the natural phases of the sun and processes of our world's plant and animal life. We become annoyed easily, frustrated, angry, and willing to not actually see the person in front of us, but rather, we see what they represent to us: a help, a hindrance, a friend, or a foe.



Our world is at war on many fronts: political, social, religious, and cultural. We easily use the overt violence of weapons or the covert violence of intimidation and manipulation to get what we want or need, but in the process do not realize what we are doing dismisses, disregards, or injures the person in front of us. It is time to make peace by practicing peace.



Our street practice invites both ourselves and others to stop, sit down, and look deeply. Zazen is a marvelous practice. Serene reflection meditation is a powerful image for our times. Consider establishing such a practice. Please write to me for details.



In gassho,



Daiho

Occupy Zen

Street practice has been a hallmark of engaged Zen since the time of the Buddha himself. Sitting calmly, bearing witness to the suffering of the world, we invite awareness to arise. The “Occupy” movement has caught the imagination of many. With a diverse and disparate agenda, occupiers often simply bear witness.




Our mission at the Order of Clear Mind Zen is to bear witness to suffering especially as regards violence. Violence occurs on many levels and takes many forms. It is not simply the act of striking another with a fist or shooting someone with a firearm. Violence includes assault to the spirit, the heart, and the esteem of another. Our world is on the threshold of recognizing such violence must cease and that to end it we must practice mutual respect, inclusivity, and support. We begin this process with practices that bring about awareness. The next step is modeling practices that demonstrate acceptance, serenity, and the courage of vulnerability. These are the heart of street practice. They are Occupy Zen.



If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at harveyhilbert@yahoo.com



Be well.

Bodhisattvas

With respect,


An elderly man came upon the stage last night at the Cattleman’s. Shaky and unsure of himself, as he was just learning to play his guitar, he began to strum. Straining to see his sheet music in the stage lighting, he lost his place several times, tweaked a string or two, and started over two or three times. The elder was clearly on the verge of tears.

Just then the organizer, who acted as stage manager, bolted out of his seat, grabbed his guitar out of its case, and nearly flew to the stage positioning himself behind the elder. The two finished the piece together. Then just as quickly, the organizer left the stage asking for a round of applause from the back. Bodhisattvas don’t think; they do.



Be well

February 1

With palms together


Good Morning Everyone,



Today is the last day of Soku Shin’s retreat at Upaya in Sante Few. She did very well, braving sub-freezing temperatures and seven days of intensive seated practice. She will be finished at 3:00 PM, but will stay the night in Albuquerque in order to visit a family member.

Intensive retreats are a foundation of our Zen practice. They are critical to our development, adding stamina and deep strength to our practice. Please consider joining us at our coming Zazenkai on Saturday the 4th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Below is our schedule. You may enter and leave as necessary.

This afternoon at 4:00 PM I will practice Street Zen at the Federal Building in Las Cruces. You are welcome to join me. Bring your cushion and bear witness.

_____

Zazenkai Schedule

08:00-09:00 Zazen 2@25

09:00-10:00 Break/Samu

10:00 - 11:30 Opening Ceremony, Sanpai, Robe Verse, Verse of Atonement, Three Refuges, the Heart Sutra, Tea Service, Teisho, Zazen 3@25

11:30-12:00 Samu/Break

12:00-1:00 Lunch (Oryoki)

1:00-2:00 Study

2:00-3:30 Zazen 3@25

3:30-3:45 Closing Ceremonies: Hanya Shin Gyo, Four Vows, Incense Offering, Fueko

3:45- 4:00 Prep for Meeting

4:00- 6:00 Priest’s Meeting

_______

Be well

Swirl

With respect,


Good Morning All,



While sitting with the morning light I caught a glimpse. Fleeting it was, Nothing can be held. Everything changes. Everything. Always. We say these things. Do we understand? And if we understand, do we realize? Words like everything and always offer an invitation to drop away the finite. Words like beginning, middle, and end refer to the finite and take away from the infinite. Moving, constantly moving, the universe seems a swirl when not in buddha’s eye. In truth, nothing is moving, nothing is changing, everything is nothing when all is one. Good grief. No wonder we say, don’t just do something, sit there! Or, in my case, eat toast with peanut butter.

Be well.

This Week

With respect,


Good Morning All,



There is something about the morning that has forever inspired me. I think it must have something to do with the intersection of morning light and a fresh mind. Sleep, if one is so fortunate as to have had it, is a wonderful cleanser of the junk accumulated through a day and when we open our eyes to be greeted by the light, it is quite glorious.



This week we will practice Zazen today at 10, Monday at 10 and 6, and Thursday at 10. Zen Study group will be Monday at 7. We will also practice street Zen at the Federal Building on Wednesday at 4.



Saturday is our February Zazenkai. We begin at 8 and close at 4. A priest’s meeting will follow. Please let me know if you plan to attend the Zazenkai.



Be well