90. What is non thinking?
Thinking is both linear and sequential. As such it is a separation from theexperience found in each moment of our lives. Not thinking as I’ve often said issuppressive. It is impenetrable and withoutlife. Non thinking on the other hand is the foundation of samadhi. It does not clingto thoughts. All dualism, the idea of self […]
89. RYOKAN REVISITED
I have been a fan of haiku and other zen poetry for a number of years.One of my favorite poets is the iconic Japanese monk Ryokan.It is said that whenever he was guest at a family residence, a peacefulatmosphere would fill the house and remain for a period of time even after he haddeparted. While […]
88. Samadhi As A Practice
During meditation, the back should not be leaning against anything. It is a normaloccurrence during Zen meditation for chi energy to draw into the spine and risewithin it from the base up slowly to the cranium. Should the back be leaningagainst a chair, this natural flow will be blocked. The three most important things regarding […]
87. Abiding In Stillness
One of the most important aspects of zen meditation, if not themost important, is to be vigilant in noticing our recurrent mindpatterns, the repetitive way in which we respond to things asthey occur in each moment. When we are able to stop dwellingin past memories or anticipating future events, we see moreclearly the precision and […]
86. Understanding Cannot Help You
This cold night bamboos stir,Their sound – now harsh, now soft –Sweeps through the lattice window.Though ear’s no match for mind,What need, by lamplight,Of a single scripture leaf? Chan Master Kido (1185-1269) This poem reminds me of Zen Master Seung Sahn’s reverberating teachingphrase “Understanding cannot help you.” Similarly, the famous 9th century Zen Master Huang […]
85. New Year Well Wishes
I want to usher in the new year with a few brief excerpts of some ancient yet timehonored zen poetry. Before doing so and reflecting on the events of 2021, specifically the January 6thinsurrection at our nation’s capital, the strong political divide, the increasingnumber of severe climate disasters, and the genocide taking place in globalregimes […]
84. Don’t Know Is Quite Simple: Only Don’t Know
Greetings to all during this holiday season. This week’s blog is drawn from two sources.The first is a poem from my life long friend David Mott who was the founder of theNew Haven Zen Center in the Kwan Um School of Zen. Unknown unknowns.Isn’t that what we all live?Assuming that it’s knownWhen it really isn’t.And […]
83. As simple as touching the tip of your nose with your finger
After returning from his study-pilgrimage, a disciple drew a circle in front of ZenMaster Hui Neng, the Sixth Ancestor, stood within it, then bowed. The Masterasked, “Do you wish to make of it a Buddha or not?”The monk answered, “I do not know how to fabricate the eyes.”The Master smiled and remarked, “I cannot do […]
82. Your Idea Of Yourself Is Not You: Part 3
Things come and things go, that is the human experience. But we don’t like that.We want to hold onto things. We hold onto our thoughts and ideas, build on them,and in so doing create a tapestry of constructs that we define as “I – my – me.” Thesad joke is that they only exist to […]
81. Your Idea Of Yourself Is Not You: Part 2
Getting back to Dok Sahn, he was presented with this conundrum. He bowed,because he realized that his knowledge and understanding could not save him.Reasoning and intellect were snuffed out just like the candle flame when YongDam blew it out. Everything became “equal.” Seeing Dok Sahn’s penetration, Yong Dam was quick to exhort, “What did youunderstand?” […]