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<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nWhat Zen practice has to offer is a way of deeply reflecting on our lives, through our lives, and leaping free of the cages we make for ourselves. There are many other things too but that\u2019s the main course.<\/span><\/p>\n Why do we need that? Nine months ago it wasn\u2019t only John McCain who was saying, \u201cThe fundamentals of the economy are strong.\u201d Most \u201cexperts\u201d thought we\u2019d have a normal little recession and then get back to wanton consumption and debt, America first (click here<\/a> for a Thomas Friedman essay on the Great Disruption). Imagine if more of us and our leaders had looked clearly and freshly at the well we were about to fall in. We may have been able to avoid the suffering that many are now experiencing and, imho, much more in the near term future, including the consequences of a debt of more than 500 billion dollars (if the Chinese and Japanese will cover us) out for ten years before things get worse.<\/p>\n \u201cJust sitting\u201d quietly as an esoteric ritual can contribute little to the deep reflection that is necessary now about how we can live together in peace and harmony.<\/p>\n Continuously learning how to practice and verify (and vivify) this life is what is necessary. That\u2019s the heart of what the Soto Zen tradition has to offer \u2013 as well as a way of living simply with few desires and finding deep satisfaction that doesn\u2019t rely on exploitation of the earth or other beings.<\/p>\n