We appear in the world, quite real, but without definite edges. Turns out we are not complete and autonomous; rather we bleed out into the universe, into openness. Or perhaps it’s better to say we arise out of, are sustained by, and return to that openness, that boundlessness. A traditional Zen word for this aspect of what we are is “empty.” You might think of this Empty as our family name. You and I, and flies and... Read more
A DIFFERENT SPECIES OF LISTENER Zen & the Therapeutic Arts Chris Hoff 2 April 2018 Blue Cliff Zen Sangha Costa Mesa, California This weekend I discovered a research article on mindfulness that caught my attention for several reasons. The first being that it focused on mindfulness’s effects on therapists rather than clients. Psychotherapy research has long neglected the role of the counselor’s ‘way of being’ in therapy, in favor of techniques and models. The large majority of research out there... Read more
I’ve been ruminating on the spiritual path a lot of late. In particular I’ve been reflecting on the maps various teachers have offered. One of my favorites is from the Zen master Dosho Port: The Zen development theory I offer follows these major stages: 1) idealization 2) covert clinging to hopes for magical gain 3) extreme crabbiness at self and others 4) steadily walking without getting anywhere 5) experiencing fruition 6) falling into a well And then,... Read more
Okay, here’s a small but deeply passionate rant. It’s inspired by reading one of those recurring Facebook memes about how snobbish it is to expect people to get college degrees. And with that how it is totally fine, maybe even a wise choice to pursue a trade. This is a complicated thing. And, absolutely, we need to acknowledge the dignity of work and the worth of every person however we find our lives. And. Maybe a perfect reflection... Read more
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When God is Dead A Zen Reflection on Christianity’s Holy Saturday James Ishmael Ford I guess this is one of those subjects that have captured my imagination. Some years ago I wrote a meditation on the Christian day before Easter, Holy Saturday. And, then, again last year. And. Well. It continues to haunt me. So, as the calendar has rolled around to another one, I thought I’d give it another go, building just a little on those two... Read more
Yesterday I posed a reflection on Zen teachers, and who might or might not be a good Zen teacher. Links to that reflection were shared at several Facebook Zen and Buddhist groups. It generated a number of comments, and a little heat, as well. I found that interesting. But most interesting, I felt, was someone who posted the question, “What makes a good Zen student?” I’ve led basic introductory classes to Zen meditation and practice maybe a thousand... Read more
A friend recently sent me a note asking if I were the person who was referenced by a young Zen teacher who tweeted about how she had been told by an old (male) teacher that she was “too young” to be teaching. I found it unlikely as I am a fan of that younger teacher. But, then, I say things on occasion, and who knows how it could be heard? (Okay, and on occasion I can also be... Read more
SESSHIN To Touch the Heart Mind The Blue Cliff Zen Sangha announces our next sesshin, a three-day intensive Zen meditation retreat. Zazen, liturgy, zazen, talks, zazen, spiritual direction interviews, zazen, meals, zazen, work practice. And some more zazen. The sesshin starts on Thursday evening the 28th of June, 2018, and concludes with lunch on Sunday the 1st of July. Our lead teacher will be the Reverend James Myoun Ford. Myoun was a co-founder of Boundless Way Zen and is currently... Read more
Our Blue Cliff Zen Sangha is reviewing its liturgical practices, wishing to align a little more closely with the normative practices of the larger North American Soto community. It turns out while the liturgical forms themselves are relatively standardized, as are the basic texts, the translations of these texts are not. There are some anchor documents. Of those texts the Heart Sutra in both English and Japanese versions, as are the Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness, and... Read more
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