It is becoming apparent to me that over the last few weeks a theme was developing in my talks on Sunday night after our zazen practice. A couple of weeks ago, I talked about having a strong foundation for our meditation practice and how our physical posture and attitude are important. Last week I talked about diligence and how this further helps our meditation practice. I used the analogy of separating the chaff from the grain, the valuable from the worthless, […]
The Best Description of What Ordinary Zen is.
Paul Hedderman in his YouTube video’s talks about non-duality. In this video, he expresses what I call “Ordinary Zen”. Beautiful!
Living With Ease In A Crazy World – The American Election – Talk 2 Loon Lake Sesshin 2016
Everyday Zen Podcasts from Norman Fisher are a wonderful resource. In particular this podcast of a Dharma talk published November 25 2016, “Living With Ease In A Crazy World – The American Election – Talk 2 Loon Lake Sesshin 2016” speaks to what we are all facing and how our practice informs our actions. Enjoy.
Ordinary Zen Retreat Schedule
Silent Illumination an Ordinary Zen Sangha Retreat Sunday November 6, 2016 10:30am – 4:00pm Retreats offer a rare occasion to deepen one’s zen practice and commitment to the path. This silent retreat is open to anyone, however some previous experience with zen meditation is helpful. There is no fee, however donations are accepted ($10.00 suggested amount). A potluck* lunch will be served. Please RSVP as space is limited. You may email me at on*******@***il.com for more information and to RSVP. Schedule: 10:30am — […]
Lisa Cairns – non-duality
Lisa shares awakening with her audience. I find her to be clear and real, shattering the illusion of duality. 28th August 2016 – Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lisacairns To see Lisa’s events go to http://www.lisacairns.com/
Style Magazine Health & Wellness – Interview
Interview with Su Byron I was interviewed for Style Magazine health/wellness column (Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s monthly magazine). Here is a transcript:
The Heart Sutra
The Maha Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra The Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra The Venerable Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, performing his meditation in the deep Prajna Paramita, clearly saw that there are five skandhas, and these by their nature are empty. Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness, emptiness does not differ from form. What is form is emptiness, what is emptiness is form. The same is true of sensations, perceptions, conception and knowledge. Shariputra, all dharmas have the character of emptiness; […]
Precepts and Lineage
To me precepts and lineage are alive in one’s experience, not an outward “signing up for” or “belonging to”. It is a natural process of awakening to your original nature. The sixteen bodhisattva precepts are a set of vows of ethical conduct taken by a Zen practitioner when he/she is ready to make a commitment to conduct that benefits others, and are taken by both monastic and lay practitioners. I took/take the sixteen Bodhisattva vows as an expression of inner connection and commitment to […]
Just Be Ordinary
Making the esoteric ordinary and accessible. Question: What do you mean by Ordinary Zen? Answer: We are so busy chasing after what we think is important to us that we miss out on how very extraordinarily beautiful ordinary life is! When I first began my practice, I was fortunate to spend time with the Korean Zen Master Gosung Shin. He was ordinary, yet masterful at it. One time a larger than life bronze statue showed up at the Zendo. It […]