Verses on Faith Mind
The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When love and hate are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set what…
The Five Remembrances
I am of the nature to grow old;There is no way to escape growing old.I am of the nature to have ill health;There is no way to escape having ill health.I am of the nature to die;There is no way to escape death.All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the…
Zendo Etiquette
When we gather together as a sangha, we strive to create an environment that supports our practice, and a space in which all of us feel held, respected, and heard. By following these guidelines in our zendo and during our Dharma discussions, we can build healthy spiritual friendships and a strong community. When you enter…
Think not-thinking. How do you do that? Beyond thinking.
In his essay, Fukanzazengi (Recommending Zazen to all People), our 13th century Japanese ancestor, Eihei Dogen instructs us in this way: Once you have adjusted your posture, settle into a steady, immovable sitting position. Think of not-thinking. How do you think of not-thinking? Beyond Thinking. This in itself is the essential art of zazen. This…
Zen 101, Has a dog Buddha Nature or not? MU!!!!
Here we are in week two of our month-long Zen 101 Course, together diving deeply into unknown waters. Many of us, never having encountered Zen meditation before, let alone these pesky things called koans. And we are presented with this: A monk once asked Master Joshu, “Has a dog the Buddha nature or not?” Joshu…
Steamy Summer Morning
Steamy summer morning gives birth to a blue-white rain. First hard, then soft. 3 days to anticipate a break. 3 days to meditate and wait. 3 ways to love the rain: Read a book, wash some clothes, take a nap. Wait and see that inevitably the guitar strums as the dryer hums. In reality, no…
Curious Crow
They say it killed the cat. This crow looks alive and well. Though bound by two dimensions, seems eye and beak can smell what’s cooking in my kitchen. This pet hangs on the wall. No cage to clean, no walks to take, My favorite of them all. (Art by Adam Wells)
Eihei Dogen’s Being Time
The above image is from an art piece I did based on Zen Master Dogen’s essay, Uji. The closest translation in English is “Being Time,” or as seen above, “The Time Being.” Eihei Dogen was a 13th century Japanese teacher who wrote extensively about Zen, and happens to be my favorite writer of all time.…
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Three Pages More
Three pages more a funny fear of no room to store thoughts, words, feelings on paper of my choosing. What’s a world where trees weep, “Don’t kill me! My roots are pleading!” If you must write a word, create a record to be remembered, oral histories are best told by elephants at rest.
This Body
This body a case for contents large and small, mushy and hard, gooey and lovely. This mind free of walls no bounds no fences of metal or glass. Any and all allowed to enter and go like. . . . You please insert a line.