I\u2019ve finally gotten some traction on the book that I\u2019ve been warming up to write for about six months. I realized yesterday morning that I was trying to write this book as if it were the first book. In order to move ahead, I had to drop some background idea about what needed to be done.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn a similar vein, I\u2019m also engaged in some reflection and reorientation for the online practice period that will start in mid February. We\u2019ll focus on Dogen\u2019s Instructions for the Cook <\/i>because it\u2019s a wonderful inspiration to roll up our sleeves and go to work.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd as I mentioned in the last post, I\u2019ll be giving a dharma talk via Webex on <\/span>Saturday, January 2, <\/span><\/span>10am-11am CST (-6 UMT). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>I\u2019m calling it \u201cMaking Manifest the Great Earth\u2019s Gold: Zen and Service,\u201d and it follows my recent experience that I wrote about my experience trying to connect with a young guy at work and missing. Without getting lost in Zenland BS, I\u2019ll work with the following from the Blue Cliff Record<\/i> (88):<\/span><\/span>
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Hsuan Sha, teaching the community, said, \u201cThe old adepts everywhere all speak of guiding and aiding living beings. Supposing they encountered the three kinds of [disabilities], how would they guide them? With a blind person, they could pick up the gavel or raise a whisk, but s\/he wouldn\u2019t see. With a deaf person, s\/he wouldn\u2019t be able to hear the words. With a mute person, if they had him\/her speak, s\/he wouldn\u2019t be able to speak. But how would they guide such people? If they couldn\u2019t guide these people, then the Buddha Dharma has no effect.<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIf you\u2019d like to attend the talk and participate in the conversation, <\/span><\/span>register by email to wildfoxzen@gmail.com. You need a webcam and headphones. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n