Shikantaza Zazen is not meditation, is not development, and thus creates no Karma. Zazen is the polishing of the Jewel that Shines brilliantly whether seen or unseen, and thus can't be polished. This Zazen "develops" what can be developed only when we drop all need for development and change, sitting in the Wholeness of that… Continue reading Shikantaza – The Still Center – Jundo Cohen
Author: realityisdharma
Opinions written here are personal, and are in no way a reflection of the attitudes of the management. :)
House Plants for a Healthy Environment
https://www.facebook.com/OurPlanetbyattn/ This great TED information video talks about what plants to put where in the home, for cleaner air: Money Plant Money Plant removes formaldehydes and other volatile chemicals. Areca Palm Areca Palm removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen (NASA uses it for this purpose) Mother In Laws Tongue Mother In Laws Tongue -… Continue reading House Plants for a Healthy Environment
Mind Weeds – Shunryu Suzuki
We say, "Pulling out the weeds we give nourishment to the plant." We pull the weeds and bury them near the plant to give it nourishment. So even though you have some difficulty in your practice, even though you have some waves while you are sitting, those waves themselves will help you. So you should… Continue reading Mind Weeds – Shunryu Suzuki
Common Threads – Part 4
The Ground of Being Part 4 So, if you are still reading, then the line of logic I am proposing is not flying in the face of your picture of "the way things are". To continue, if we are DNA coated "somethings", living in a universe with physical properties where we can see our bodies,… Continue reading Common Threads – Part 4
Common Thread – Part 3
What is our problem? - Part 3 What is man's most basic problem? This question has been asked for many many centuries. Religions say it is mans need for God. Sociologists say it is one form or another of the "Heirarchy of Needs", or social or relationship dysfunction..... Car salesmen say you need a new… Continue reading Common Thread – Part 3
Common Threads – Part 2
Background Thoughts - Part 2 Some teachers, groups or sects use a rather "hard" method in their teaching of the "dharma", where folks in their groups are expected to "wake up to the teachers way of thinking", while other groups use a more "soft" method, where their students are given guidelines and a free rein… Continue reading Common Threads – Part 2
Use the Calmed Mind – Ajahn Chah
‘Constant mindfulness in all postures and activities will make the mind calm and clear. But this calm is not the end point of practice. Tranquil states give the mind a temporary rest, as eating will temporarily remove hunger, but that is not all there is to life. You must use the calmed mind to see… Continue reading Use the Calmed Mind – Ajahn Chah
Common Threads – Part 1
Where do we start? - Part 1 One common theme which seems to run through all practices of "the inner life" is the triple thread clarifying "The Ground of Being", and the struggle to clarify it for oneself and for other practitioners. There are at least, the same number of names and metaphors for the… Continue reading Common Threads – Part 1
Dongshan’s Heat and Cold – Shobogenzo
http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/C%20-%20Zen/Modern%20Teachers/John%20Daido%20Loori%20-%20Dharma%20Talks/DISCOURSE%20Dongshan%92s%20Heat%20and%20Cold.htm Dongshan’s Heat and Cold Dharma Discourse by Abbot John Daido Loori Master Dogen's 300 Koan Shobogenzo,* Case 225 Featured in Mountain Record 17.4, Summer 1999 The Main Case A monk asked Master Dongshan, “Cold and heat descend upon us. How can we avoid them?”1Dongshan answered, “Why don’t you go to the place where there… Continue reading Dongshan’s Heat and Cold – Shobogenzo
Dealing with Resentment in the Zendo
James Kenney posted this on the Soto Zen Buddhism facebook pages, and i think it expresses this view very eloquently. Regarding taking offense of folks and the resentment that can build up, and the resolution of that by "walking it thru to the other side"..... James Kenney said: You are your practice. They are their… Continue reading Dealing with Resentment in the Zendo
Reality is Dharma 