I came across this article by Norman Fisher, that naturally strikes home. I ended up in the role of “teacher” because I had a deep faith in the benefits of Zen practice. I know that my life has been profoundly affected and transformed by practice and wanted to “pay it forward”. From the beginning, Norman Fischer never had much use for Zen teachers—and he still doesn’t. But after years of being one himself, he has a fuller appreciation of the […]
Category Archives: Emptiness
Empty, emptiness, without a permanent self.
Introducing Chong An Sunim
Chong An Sunim first visited OZS on September 21, 22,23 2018. We had a wonderful Dharma Talk Friday evening September 21, 2018 and then continued Saturday and Sunday with a workshop/retreat, starting with an “Eye Opening” & Buddha Hall Dedication Ceremony for our new Zendo space on Saturday and a Buddhist precepts ceremony at the end of the workshop Sunday. There were also opportunities for kong-an interviews with Chong An Sunim. CHONG AN SUNIM’S BIOGRAPHY Chong An Sunim started Zen practice […]
Not Two
In our ordinary lives, we may struggle at times, are happy and content sometimes, distraught and hurt at others times. We are ensnared by all the constructs, narratives, and ideas we create about ourselves and the world. Thus we create discord, sometimes angry and disillusioned, sometimes righteous and right. Believing our discriminating mind, attached to being right. Thinking that this teaching is better than that one. Deludedly, chasing the finger pointing to the moon. This can be called self-attachment or self-referencing, clinging to […]
fixed or fluid
The difference between Delusion and Nirvana can be described in two words – fixed or fluid. When we have a fixed view, we are deluding ourselves. It is at the root of all our pain and suffering. The problem stems from a false premise, a belief that we are separate and independent from each other. “I am not him, he is not me.” This causes all kinds of alienation, fear, greed, and hatred. This belief is out of balance, the same way our body […]
Greeting Equanimity
It is common in Zen Buddhist and other traditions to greet one another by joining our hands together and bowing. Done with diligence and vigilance, embracing equanimity, it is practice. It is Zen. It is the doorway to awakening. Diligence, in this case, means letting go of self-referentiality and approaching with a joyful and open mind. Vigilance means embracing the equanimity of this moment. Without any judgment or labeling, we are at one with the essence of being. This is truly greeting reality.
Wumen’s Zen Warnings
The Zen warnings come at the close of the Gateless Gate, a collection of 48 Chan (Zen) koans compiled in the early 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Huikai (無門慧開; Japanese: Mumon Ekai; 1183–1260). Wumen’s preface indicates that the volume was published in 1228. To obey the rules and regulations is to tie yourself without a rope. To act freely and without restraint is heresy and deviltry. To be aware of the mind, making it pure and quiet, […]
Lisa Cairns – Is Meditating Helpful?
Here is the thing. After the curiosity wears off, when the video stream ends, what do you have? What generally seems to be missing in the “Non-Duality Movement” is practice. How to get to know for yourself what is? How to know the objective, subjective, absolute/relative reality, to be free of identification and yet fully participating in life? How to know the same old you, through and through? That’s it. That old dusty mirror is the way! Here Lisa Cairns […]
Stuck in a Story with Lisa Cairns
A “Non-Duality” speaker that I like is Lisa Cairns. She expresses unconditional love beautifully, as well as being clear and unpretentious. However entertaining it might appear, she is a Dharma teacher. https://www.lisacairns.com/
Linji’s Person of No Rank
Since OZS will not meet on Christmas Eve or New Years eve, I offer a Dharma talk (Pod Cast) to tide you over till we meet next year! I think you will find Norman Fisher’s Dharma Talk delightfully insightful and rewarding. It is my gift to you, celebrating Buddha’s Enlightenment and bringing in the New Year! Norman Fisher’s Dharma talk is about Linji’s “Person of No Rank”. Linji is a famous Zen Master considered the founder of the Rinzai School […]
The American Zen College
My years at the American Zen Center – 1989-1999. — Abbot Will Rauschenberger