Jundo Cohen Koans, the way they were originally developed (before Dahui made them an object for concentration on a phrase during Zazen in the Rinzai way) and the way Dogen and others use them in our Soto Way, are basically teaching tools. There is a logic to them, but just not our normal "common sense"… Continue reading Koans – Jundo Cohen
Category: How to Practice
Jundo Cohen – Roshi – Zazen (2)
May I add a codicil to my prior post, as some folks seem to have misunderstood my point a bit, that sitting Zazen is not necessary? In fact, it is not necessary ... thus it is necessary to sit! We sit beyond all time, and it is not necessary to sit at all ... thus… Continue reading Jundo Cohen – Roshi – Zazen (2)
This Moments Contents
This moments contents.... this moments sensations... this moments thoughts Let them flow off Like dissipating smoke flowing out behind the crystal orb called now. like the fading sound of the inkin ringing........ Let them be as they are. Self-cleaning Now. ~ ~ Like water off a ducks back. Being present in this moment.... the last… Continue reading This Moments Contents
Beginners Mind, Now Mind
Sitting in zazen the distracting layers falling off as we fall through the layers we fall into purer and purer now Only now.... just sitting..... Shikantaza Beginners mind
On Diligence – Notes
I like the word diligence. Diligence "works". (Note to myself.....) By not living life diligently, we put ourselves on a treadmill. Actually, what we all ARE on is a “down” escalator, walking up..... and we need to put enough effort into our life, that we reach the next floor, or we will always be ending… Continue reading On Diligence – Notes
Practice Notes – March 11 2018
When i was young, the thinking mind “turned on”..... i thought about life... alot..... then one day, i realized that thinking was making “me” more sick. Then i spent a long time trying to force this thinking mind to be quiet ... but it was counter-productive... like the mythical nine headed hydra, each head I… Continue reading Practice Notes – March 11 2018
Practice Notes – March 12 2018
In our practice, we let go of struggle. Struggle is cognitive dissonance, and does not lead to anything but more struggling. Instead, i just sit watching the processes occurring in this awareness. Watching with unbroken watching. Standing diligently at the door of the senses, watching. Watching and breathing...... Thoughts occur..... asking questions..... i let go… Continue reading Practice Notes – March 12 2018
Huatou – A teaching by Master Xu Yun
http://dharmata.net/investigating-chan-contemplating-mind-hua-tou/ Investigating Chan and Contemplating Mind (Hua tou / ko’an) Investigating Chan and Contemplating Mind Xuyun (1839-1959) Our sect focuses on investigating Chan. And the purpose of investigating Chan is to “illuminate the Mind and see one’s own self-nature,” which means to thoroughly investigate and comprehend our original face. This investigation is also called “clearly… Continue reading Huatou – A teaching by Master Xu Yun
Uncle Bucky’s Dharma Rules
"All activities are content ~ All content is equal ~ All content is empty" "Don't lose your beginners mind" "Be all in! Stay on Point!" "Keep all tasks current - Stay on the current task!" Morning Dharma Schedule #1 - Drink water! #2 - 10 minutes exercise every morning before zazen! #3 - A.M.… Continue reading Uncle Bucky’s Dharma Rules
In This Bead Moment … As It Is
Prayer beads, One bead, One moment One Step, One moment One breath, One moment One in, One out...... Only, ever, this One moment This One Perfect moment.... Leading to This One perfect moment.... In a day............. how many moments am I present? (What am "I" doing the rest of the time!?)
Reality is Dharma 