I practiced zazen for about six years with lots of pain before I dropped the notion that it would magically get easier. Even in my early twenties I was already half or more as stiff as a corpse. Yoga helped open my pelvis and relieved my aching knees. A straight and relaxed back became something other than an oxymoron. The point of Zen is not to suffer more nor is it about being more macho than anyone since Bodhidharma. I’m... Read more

This is the first posting for the 100-day practice period study group on the Shobogenzo Genjokoan. I’ll mark these posts with the moon of the night we met (or the day of the posting if it is something pertaining to the study) in order to help identify them. I’m considering a separate blog for this … but not clear about that yet. Your thoughts welcome. The moon on Thursday was a waxing gibbous. I talked a bit about the purpose of... Read more

There are two main themes. The one that seems to stand out to most people who’ve seen it is the teacher-student relationship thread. That’s how Wisdom is summarizing and promoting it. And in collecting blurbs for the book, I’m seeing that the same focus. This one just arrived from Shohaku Okumura (to whom I deeply grateful) that nicely expresses this first theme: As Dogen Zenji said, Dharma teachers and disciples are like entwining of vines (katto in Japanese). Whether disciples... Read more

Saturday, September 20, 10am-noon, at the Nebraska Zen Center in Omaha This is the temple where my dharma brother Nonin teaches. He’s recovering from surgery and I’ve wanted to get down and see him and help out at the temple. We just arranged this workshop. I’ll also give the talk on Sunday so if you’re in the neighborhood, come on by.  For the Saturday workshop, we’ll discuss the types of study, how study relates to the rest of practice, how... Read more

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ssqr7VsrJ0s Read more

Here’s an experiment that might help stabilize your practice. It is based on the 90 or 100- day practice periods during the rainy season that monks and nuns have done since the Buddha’s days. Katagiri-roshi might have been the first to start non-residential practice periods. The idea is the same – make a commitment and follow through. Residential practice is easier in that the group helps carry all the members along (and more difficult because the group helps carry all... Read more

“I thought it was a white monkey but there is a black monkey too.”  This saying is attributed to Yuanwu (Blue Cliff Record commentator) and is quoted by Sen’ne (one of Dogen’s three successors) in presenting the following lines from the Genjokoan: Conveying oneself toward all things to carry out practice/verification is delusion.  All things coming and carrying out practice/verification through the self is realization (trans., Shohaku Okumura).  This came to mind recently when I saw a short piece by an American... Read more

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A couple different things are on my mind today. First, the Republican National Convention is happening about 20 miles south of here so I feel compelled to say something about it. I’ll make it brief. I listened to part of Romney’s very disappointing speech last night.  To blame the “Liberals” for the federal deficit is utterly whacked but almost equally as whacked as many of his other so-called arguments for voting for McCain.  The most disturbing thing, though, was a... Read more

This is a transition day for me, usually bigger than New Year’s. The summer ends today and the school year begins tomorrow. So I’m in a reflective mood about the past year, the next year, and how swiftly this is all going. Like some people do on New Year’s, I usually cook up a couple-three focus areas for the year – without contrivance, it just seems to be the way I do life. Last year at this time I had... Read more