This isn\u2019t the first time I\u2019ve heard such dancing with racial stereotypes by the McCain camp. The \u201ccelebrity\u201d campaign has definite racial undertones. It looks to me like one thread of their attack is to suggest as subliminally as they can that Obama is just another talented (\u201cGolly, can he sing and hoop!\u201d) Negro boy.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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I don\u2019t think we should take this sitting quietly. Right speech in this case is to speak out loudly and clearly.\u00a0<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nAnd generally, we have got to make this election process shorter if we can\u2019t make it more noble. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nThe other thing (and now for something completely different\u2026) that\u2019s on my mind follows recent email questions from people about zazen and whether they should work with koans or shikantaza.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nHere\u2019s a quick version of what I have to say about that: <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nTo put the technique first is upside down. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nRight-side up is to put the teacher-student relationship first. Check out the last book of the Avatamsaka Sutra with the pilgrim Sudhana wandering all over the world to practice with 53 teachers \u2013 monks, nuns, spirits and various non-humans \u2013 if you want to see some sutric support for this. It is also a very beautiful read, widely embracing many aspects of our humanity. A deep meditation in itself.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nOr just get going looking for a teacher with whom you feel affinity and then take up the practice they offer with diligence whether they teach koans, shikantaza, Unitarianism, visualizations, noting, or \u201cThe Lord\u2019s Prayer.\u201d
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<\/span><\/div>\nWhat is affinity?
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nAffinity is affinity. Don\u2019t over think it. You\u2019ll know it when you stumble over it. It might take some time to discover\/uncover. With Katagiri-roshi it took a few years for me to confirm the strong affinity I felt with him during our first meeting.\nAnyway, after giving it a real try, if you don\u2019t feel it with a teacher, then keep looking.<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nWhen you find the right teacher, become a student as wholeheartedly as you can. There really isn\u2019t much time. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nZen pups become old dogs before you know it.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\nComments welcome.<\/span><\/div>\n
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