Histories of ages past Unenlightened shadows cast Down through all eternity The crying of humanity -Donovan, Hurry Gurdy Man This past week I read of pieces by enlightened writers regarding the election results. Eve Marko, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Matthew Cheney , and Bhilkkhu Bodhi all wrote about their reactions and feelings. Their expressions spanned the emotional gamut fromContinue reading “Resilience”
Tag Archives: dharma
Blue Mountains Walking
At the time, I had been reading a lot of Dogen and sitting a lot of zazen. (is there such a thing as too much?) Then, one day, riding my bicycle on Snow Road, south of Old Mesilla, NM, looking directly into the horizon at the Organ Mountains I had a realization moment and itContinue reading “Blue Mountains Walking”
Just a Box of Rain
October 25, 2024: Phil Lesh, legendary Grateful Dead bass player, consummate musical visionary, and family member passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Box of Rain Look out of any windowAny morning, any evening, any dayMaybe the sun is shiningBirds are winging, no rain is falling from a heavy skyWhat do you wantContinue reading “Just a Box of Rain”
Baisaō’s Tea
Waves roil in the earthen pot the wind’s thin wail starts up simmering tea and serving it, offering it to all mankind; a shame no one who comes understands it’s real taste; siting alone I brew for myself a tea beyond compare. This poem is from “The Old Tea Seller” a book of poems byContinue reading “Baisaō’s Tea”
The Way of Everyday Life
The effortless nature of being requires effort on our part. It’s been a while since I’ve written to you. I have spent a couple of months away from group practice. It has been a time of reflection and rediscovery. Delving deeply into the roots of Zen practice there was something I knew before, something I’veContinue reading “The Way of Everyday Life”
MudSeason
The Spring Equinox! A glorious time of rebirth of Mother Earth, trees blossoming, tiny buds opening into verdant green, tulips, brilliant blossoms! Bunnies and baby animals! A time of hope, joy, reawakening and… MUD. In Northern New England, from whence Zenho and I originate, MudSeason is perhaps the most bitched about season of the year.Continue reading “MudSeason”
Ceaseless
“Nothing is there to guard and nothing to demonstrate or practice. Whatever flies off the spindle is perfectly fashioned and equal to the task in the event. Technique is for the birds. The organism is a genius and when left alone in the natural state of being it is perfection itself.” Keith Dowman How weContinue reading “Ceaseless”
Elixir
Wu-Men Kuan, Case 24: It All Outside Words A monk asked Wind-Source Mountain: “Word or silence- either way you cross over into its all broken between Presence and Absence, the differentiated and the undifferentiated. How do I avoid that transgression altogether? Master Wind-Source replied: I always remember, south of the river, that third month: mountain-partridgeContinue reading “Elixir”
7 Gems
the moon in the pines looks cold cloud after cloud drifts up ridge upon ridge unfolds the view is for ten-thousand miles and the pool in the gorge is clear like looking through a mirror treasures of a magic terrace the seven gems can’t match you ~ Pickup “From Temple Walls, The Collected Poems ofContinue reading “7 Gems”
No Gate Zen Center 