We began tonight talking about the Soto Zen strong emphasis on "just sitting" zazen as Dogen instructed, and what it might mean to sit without a "gaining mind," yet with what we might call a "melting heart."
Link to Zoom Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/29sJEUXdGU7xu7vyiquJ3pBXxZM2nHv0_-LbNpqV4BzKL3HV4VPEQL1RO_xx3I01.ThDf6C26d2R1MgRS
We also affirmed our recommitment to be voices for the voiceless--especially our fellow sentient beings (fellow animals of all kinds, human species included!); and that the most appropriate model of our relationship to animals is "conservator"--not "master;" how all noble intentions (like this one) must come from love--not shame; but admitting though that this role of defending the voiceless is not the easiest or always the "happiest" path--it is heart melting; without a doubt however, it is a true Bodhisattva path, requiring we practice and learn to let go so as to not be submerged by the suffering of the world; all this and more is our dedicated practice, the "North Star" for our Wild Country Zen sangha.
Join us! [Pic by Taizan, self-portrait of feeling, not looking; top page pic by Taizan, Pajaro Beach, CA]
Tonight’s Dharma discussion: Noticing, opening up our awareness, seeing things as they are, being present: all inadequate words to describe our search for satori, for the felt sense of connectedness that allows all of it in.
Link to Zoom Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/derwqqLkN6UOQwi-hVFzn8cdPIf7ywvh13mdAnVn-IPzAABj4MEdSNPJDN4pk6Yq.1UkCvagZvogKy15R
Other Topics: ”How to Change Your Mind," by Micheal Pollen, and the results of combining "sacred medicine" such as psilocybin with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy); joy as the currency of kindness; loosening the harmful grip of ego through practice; the courage required of opening to “awe"; Ram Dass as a pathfinder; and our sangha members share their wide and wild repertoire of exploration and pathfinding efforts…In Search of Satori. [Pic of label made for WCZ]
Our Wild Country Zen Dharma talk on June 16, 2021 might be called, “In Praise of Shadows,” taking inspiration from Junichirō Tanizaki’s essay on art and architecture, and how beauty is often revealed most fully in shadows…
Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/OWfg9x3XBGW_FjavG-n24Kcyh3IcwKIm3Kscx6uuELCSlv9ZnMmfOe6TjH4vbthN.4f6h2pwBHsMaoTx4
Our lens as always was “what is useful/what is skillful?” So tonight we continued to explore the subtle concept of “wabi-sabi,” and with it the appreciation of impermanence and imperfection that can often lead to the very human question, “Why Me?”… and “why did that happen to me?” Given the mystery of this life, perhaps “serene melancholy” comes closest to being an accurate and workable approach to the beauty of our shadows, which are as much a part of us as night is of day, and in paradox, a path toward a more "peaceful heart." [Painting by Taizan, called "Heiwana Kokoro"]
"Nothing Lasts; Nothing is finished; Nothing is Perfect." The term "wabi-sabi" in Zen has this as one of it's meanings, derived from the ancient usage of the term in Japan. Early in history, "wabi" referred to the loneliness of nature as a felt experience, and "sabi" meant withered, decayed, worn out. Later meanings came to be associated with an aesthetic in life and especially in art of a rustic simplicity, with all the quirks, dings, scars, and imperfections of old age.
But with a deeper insight born of zazen, wabi-sabi may perhaps be appreciated for the inherent beauty that also comes from age and aging; the patina of wear, the paradox of stillness and serenity as found in the melancholy loneliness of a walk in autumn leaves, feeling the old leaves turning into compost to enrich the soil...Tonight we discussed "suchness" as one part of this Zen approach to all of life, with appreciation that even includes death, as a natural process not to be denied, resisted, or pushed away. [Pic by Taizan, beach near Monterey Bay Academy, CA]
On this night we explored some interesting foundations of our particular "Soto" Zen practice through some thoughts on the Serene Reflection meditation school described by Rev. Keido Chisan Koho Zenji in his book "Soto Zen." He is a former abbott of Soji-ji Monastery, which along with Eihei-ji, provide Soto Zen training in the tradition of Dogen and Keizan, the historic founders of Zen in Japan.
Topics included: what are the foundations of Soto Zen; what are the roles of religion and science most likely reduce suffering; overcoming "hardening of the consciousness"; the possibilities of a future culture which harmonizes and supports both science and religion; what is dualistic thinking; relative and absolute understandings; all of this bookended by a calming, guided meditation at the beginning and a period of zazen to sail into the night at the end. [Pic of art work by Mehan Ruby, called "Steps"]
On this Vesak Day, when all over the world Buddhists celebrate Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, we give thanks for the gift of insights, the practice of zazen, the precepts of ethics to live by, and the wisdom in the sutras, stories, and teachings that light this path we walk together...
ZOOM LINK:
Some contents: A poem by Mary Oliver (Wild Geese); a few possibilities and offerings of what enlightenment may be, where it may be found, and how it may manifest in our life; the role of "sacred medicine" like psychedelics; sitting itself as enlightenment; and in our discussions, the sangha members share their own thoughts, experiences, and aspirations in terms of this elusive concept called "enlightenment." [Pic of ceramic totem by Sue Doke]
Here is the recording of last nights (Wed., May 19) Wild Country Zen sangha dharma talk entitled, "In a Howling Storm, Even a Tiger Takes Shelter."
Topics: Homeostasis & Flourishing, Poet Gary Snyder's Giving up the Eternal, Etiquette of the Wild; Jackson Browne's Waiting for Everyman; Joni Mitchell's "...laughing how our perfection will always be denied...;" our righteous anger makes no damn difference to terrified children; Zen honoring the truth of "I Don't Know" despite existential angst; and the lasting benefits of Shikan Zazenkai practice...yeah, just the usual stuff... [Painting by Taizan, called "Wild Country"]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. May 12 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
We talked about the benefit of our practice as "being peace" and comfort in this time of horror, especially for the powerless (children and animals); also how our rituals such as Zazenkai act as "hints" and embodied representations of what can't be expressed in words; and then details of our upcoming Shikan Zazenkai schedule with suggestions to make every moment meaningful by breaking old patterns... [Painting by Taizan called "Country Zen"]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. May 5 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
Read some sweet excerpts from a book by Bill Porter (aka Red Pine) called "Zen Baggage-- A Pilgrimage to China." He weaves together historical background, interviews with Zen masters, and many funny, personal vignettes full of insights about our practice; next I encouraged all sangha members--past, present, and new!--to join us on Saturday, May 15 at 6am(!) for a half-day of several periods of sitting and walking meditation, and a tea, ending at noon. [Pic by Taizan, on home deck]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. April 28 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
Every so often I look through my library to refresh my memory of all the wisdom we can access, and this week I chose to re-read and discuss portions of "Peace is Every Step" by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Also talked about a half-day meditation retreat on Zoom we (Wild Country Zen in Aromas) will have Saturday morning, May 15, 2021. Hope you can all join us!
[Pic by Taizan, on home patio]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. April 12 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
We begin with a calming guided meditation to open our hearts and minds, and then we explore the cherished wisdom of the Metta Sutra. This "loving kindness" chant is like the advice from truly wise elders of how to live a good life, what to watch out for, and is as relevant today as ever. Our discussion reveals some insights and variations of what it means--a wonderful example of the power of sangha and our beautiful practice. [Pic by Taizan, sand dune at Pajaro Beach, Watsonville, CA]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. March 31 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
On this night (Wed., March 31, 2021) the Wild Country Zen sangha celebrated the 100th recording of our dharma talks and discussions with an exploration of the amazing variety of topics we have shared beginning with "...the peaceful mountain and subtle way leading to the tiger's cave"... We also talked about possible ways to return to meeting in person in the coming months, but even so, we will likely continue in a "hybrid" mode of recording on Zoom and SoundCloud for the benefit of sangha members around the world and in different time zones. Hope you can all join us as we begin the next 100! [Pic by Taizan, off home deck]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. March 24 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
Another sweet evening of meditation and sangha...Our topic of this talk was a deeper look into our dual meditation practices: Vipassana and Zazen. These two meditation practices work very well together--vipassana is more guided and directed; zazen (aka Stillness Abiding) might be better described as simply "allowing." With the support and encouragement of the Wild Country Zen sangha, this discipline of practices becomes in-service to developing Skillfulness, defined as the ability to fulfill our intentions. We also talked about one of the benefits of longer meditation periods, the lowering of what you need to feel good, to find enjoyment in the simple pleasures of living. And much more... [Pic by Taizan, home temple shrine, Aromas, CA]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. March 17 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
ZOOM LINK:
On this St. Patrick's Day (Wed., March 17, 2021) the dharma talk was an exploration of "The Practice of the Wild" by Gary Snyder, the Beat poet who practiced Zen while living a life close to the skin and bones of nature; and Angie Boissevain's "What I Want," a sensual reflection on the wildness of "...honey-tasting days," with "...every surface touched;" and lastly the gorgeous and powerful words on wildness in "Allow," from poet Danna Faulds, "...The only safety lies in letting it all in--the wild with the weak; fear, fantasies, failures, and success..." I named our group "Wild Country Zen" after these themes: the wildness at the heart of buddha-nature, and the possibilities of open country... [Painting by Taizan, "Peaceful Mountain, Subtle Way"]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. February 24 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
On this night (Wed., Feb. 24) we explored an important piece of the Zen wisdom tradition, a poem that is sometimes chanted called "Song of Jewel Mirror Samadhi." This piece is an entryway to "suchness"-- and like a jewel mirror reflects endless facets. Though the meaning does not reside (entirely) in the words, it can respond to sincere spiritual inquiry... [Pic by Taizan, Kyoto, Japan]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. February 17 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
Last night we talked about the power of posture and ritual, how they can be helpful in bringing increasing levels of awareness to this life. Beyond the Zen meditation practice are the other two legs of the stool--ethics, and the wisdom traditions. The ethics are exemplified by the Jukai ritual, where when you've investigated the practice sufficiently to want to commit to the Bodhisattva ideals of compassion (as a lay person) a practitioner may ask a teacher to work towards "receiving the precepts," an in-depth exploration of the Zen precepts like "Not dwelling in Anger," while simultaneously sewing a rakasu, and when complete, taking a vow to free all beings, end all delusions, and explore every dharma gate...they are called the "impossible Bodhisattva vows" for a reason! [Pic by Meido, Eihei-ji Monastery, Japan]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. February 10 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
In this session we begin as usual with a guided meditation, and then a dharma talk summarizing some keys to understanding our consciousness and the Zen meditation practices and ethics that give us a way to train our mind to be calm, and open, and our heart to be warm and open, all in the service of becoming more skillful and compassionate in our everyday life. We then conclude with a period of silent zazen, a wonderful way to sail into a cold mid-winter's night.. [Pic by Taizan, sky over Aromas, CA]
The link below is to the Zoom recording of our Wed. January 6, 2021 Wild Country Zen sangha meeting:
On this day,(Jan. 6, 2021) a violent mob, at the urging of our President, assaulted our elected officials (Senators and Members of Congress)in Washington, DC., at the center of our democracy. I wondered what I could say and do on our scheduled Wednesday night meeting. I had learned to "trust emergence"--the idea that if can breathe, relax, open up (rather than close down), I may summon a skillful means of what to say, and what to do. Together with the Wild Country Zen sangha members present on Zoom, we first sat together, and then I decided to return to sharing again the tools of "insight dialog" we had worked with two years ago. These tools--along with a renewed dedication to practice--can be very helpful when faced with the challenges we face in these increasingly desperate times...Please join us as we "sit for the whole world," sending out to ALL sentient beings our intention for healing, kindness, and care... [Pic by John Somers, Jikoji Zen Center, CA]
This link button below will take you to a special dedicated page of Zoom recordings of our Wild Country Zen/Jikoji Practice Period "Explorations of Shunyata (Emptiness)." Included are 8 rich dharma talks by wonderful teachers, approaching this central Zen theme from a different "Lens."
all photos and Paintings by Taizan Gendo except where noted Copyright © 2021 Wild Country Zen - All Rights Reserved.
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