Today I received a note from a Facebook friend. Someone I like and who seems thoughtful, certainly is in his postings. He mentioned he was coming to the end of my most recent book and found himself tangled in the question about needing a Zen teacher. He asked my advice. I felt this something worth exploring publicly. I believe it might be useful for a number of people. I’ve written on the subject of Zen teachers several times.... Read more
One day while walking quietly together, out of the silence the Buddha’s attendant Ananda declared, “Teacher, to have companions and comrades on the great way is so amazing! I have come to realize that friendship is fully half of an authentic spiritual life. They proceeded along quietly for a while more, before out of that silence the Holy One responded. “No, dear one. Without companions and comrades, no one can live into the deep, finding the true harmonies... Read more
According to the good folk at Wikipedia in was today, the 30th of July in the year 762 that the Caliph Al-Mansur commissioned the construction of a new capital. It would become one of the great world cities. It certainly has weathered it all, war, famine, disease, greatness, decline, resurgence. So, happy one thousand, two hundred, and fifty-sixth birthday, Baghdad! May there be many more… Read more
What is Ganhwa Seon? Reprinted from the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism’s webpage. Preface Invitation to Ganhwa Seon PART 1: The Stage of basic Chapter 1: Patriarchal Seon and its historical development The Meaning and Currents of Patriarchal Seon The History and Tradition of Korean Seon The House Style of Korean Patriarchal Seon Chapter 2: An outline of Ganhwa Seon What is Ganhwa Seon? The Characteristics Ganhwa Seon has as Patriarchal Seon The Reason for the Emphasis in Ganhwa Seon... Read more
Jan & I have now been “retired” for three years. I use the quotes as we seem to be busier than ever. Jan has been principally focused on social justice work, although she has also been solidly supportive of our Zen project. I have been dedicated to that Zen project, specifically with our starting up of two Zen groups, one here in Long Beach, the other in the OC, in Costa Mesa. Both have been generously hosted by... Read more
SESSHIN “To Touch the Heart Mind” The Blue Cliff Zen Network announces our next sesshin, a three-day intensive Zen meditation retreat. Our program will feature zazen, liturgy, zazen, talks, zazen, spiritual direction interviews, zazen, meals, zazen, work practice. And some more zazen. The sesshin starts on Thursday evening the 20th of September, 2018, and concludes with lunch on Sunday the 23rd. Our lead teacher will be the Reverend James Myoun Ford. Myoun Osho was a co-founder of Boundless Way... Read more
I once had conversations with two different people, one right after the other, with both commenting that they tried to be kind in life. What struck me was how as far as I could tell this wasn’t particularly true in either case. I came away with two thoughts. One had to do with our amazing human ability to think the best of ourselves despite all the contradictory evidence. (There is, of course, also that corollary of those who... Read more
Three rules of thumb for an authentic spiritual life. 1) You need some shut up time. If you’re making noise all the time it is hard to pay attention, hard to notice the lessons and the lesson. 2) You need some regularity. Doing it once might open your heart and eyes. Has happened. But most of us need to return and return and return. 3) You need someone to check you. The brain is a great... Read more
Blessed are the man and the woman Who have grown beyond their greed And have put an end to their hatred And no longer nourish illusions. But they delight in the way things are And keep their hearts open, day and night. They are like trees planted near flowing rivers, Which bear fruit when they are ready. Their leaves will not fall or wither. Everything they do will succeed. 1st Psalm, adapted by Stephen Mitchell I’ve been thinking... Read more
An unsigned article at BeliefNet summarizes the issue rather nicely. “The New Testament contains a total of 27 books written by early Christian leaders for other Christian communities and individuals. Of these 27 books, 13 claim to be written by the apostle Paul (although scholars think that some of these 13 are pseudonymous, written by followers of Paul in his name). One other book–the epistle to the Hebrews–was accepted as part of Scripture because early church fathers... Read more
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