The Buddha explained that it is the Five Hindrances that distort perception and corrupt our thinking. He called the Five Hindrances the nutriment that feeds delusion (AN 10.61). The first hindrance, Sensual Desire, selects what we want to see, hear, sense and cognize. It often embellishes the truth. It presents to our consciousness the product… Continue reading The Five Hindrances – Ajahn Brahm
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Buddhist Teachings in Sanskrit and Pali
The end of Chasm Theology
Memory of sitting in the sanctuary doing zazen on a Monday night In my minds eye, seeing Jesus sitting across from me in a pew. Wondering why he wouldn't turn and look at me When the dragons eye felt no such impediment...... Suddenly now it is like clear water........... "If you choose to call him… Continue reading The end of Chasm Theology
True Mind is Watching Mind
from "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971) Your true mind is always with whatever you see. Although you do not know your own mind, it is there--at the very moment you see something, it is there--at the very moment you see something, it is there. This is very interesting. Your mind… Continue reading True Mind is Watching Mind
Stop…Focus on your Breath… Watch
Investigating our own feelings is difficult..... Many folks go to a psychotherapist to try to unravel their feelings, and the roots behind them... The more i have learned to treat my life as a scientific research project, the more my life has begun to open up to me. Research doesn't begin with a bunch of… Continue reading Stop…Focus on your Breath… Watch
Mitzu Suzuki – April 23, 1914 – January 9, 2015 – Okusan of Shunryu Suzuki
San Francisco Zen Center January 7, 2016 With tender and grateful hearts, we hear of Mitsu Suzuki's decline in health. Her grandson Shungo Suzuki reports that she has been hospitalized and is not likely to recover. She is 101 years old. Mitsu Suzuki is the widow of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, the founder of San Francisco… Continue reading Mitzu Suzuki – April 23, 1914 – January 9, 2015 – Okusan of Shunryu Suzuki
Self – Inquiry & Tension Knots – Dealing with the Roots of Tension and Hypertension
Dealing with the Roots of Tension and Hypertension This is a suggested method of untangling the body feelings and pent up emotions that sometimes form “tension knots” somewhere in the body. When these "tension knots" build up or pile up, IMHO , they can morph into hypertension . ....... This is in no way meant… Continue reading Self – Inquiry & Tension Knots – Dealing with the Roots of Tension and Hypertension
Shikantaza – Thoughts on Silent Illumination – Jundo Cohen
Jundo Cohen First, it is important to keep in mind that many very different approaches are being called "silent illumination" these days (maybe in the past too). Some, for example, seem to emphasize various degrees of concentration on the breath, and the attainment of varying degrees of "samadhi" with deeply concentrated mind states. Second, reading… Continue reading Shikantaza – Thoughts on Silent Illumination – Jundo Cohen
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
Analogy of the fiber-optics lamp – Part 1
Relationship with the Eternal Essence – Analogy of the fiber-optics lamp My hope is to write this set of analogies as clearly and simply as possible. The analogies are in no way meant to be a complete explanation. Rather, they are meant as a helping tool........ to be a simplified explanation meant to help the… Continue reading Analogy of the fiber-optics lamp – Part 1
Reality is Dharma 