Hi, it’s been quite a while since i posted a blog. I have had several big changes in my life. The main one is stepping down from the guiding teacher … Continue reading Goldstein’s mindfulness, “Ardency”
Blog posts
Bodhidharma’s Outline of Practice
Bodhidharma lived in the 5th or 6th century. He is traditionally thought of as the man who brought Buddhism to China and is called the First Ancestor in China. The … Continue reading Bodhidharma’s Outline of Practice
Book of Serenity #39 “Wash Your Bowl”
I love studying Joshu (Japanese) or in Chinese, Zhaozhou (778-897). He has been called the silver-tongued teacher because his koans are utterly simple and profoundly deep and instructive. Joshu’s instructions … Continue reading Book of Serenity #39 “Wash Your Bowl”
Intention and Vow, New Years
For the past many years, Clouds in Water starts the New Years off with an Intention and Vow Workshop. It was my answer to the failure, year after year, of … Continue reading Intention and Vow, New Years
BOS. 25 Yanguan’s Rhinoceros Fan
Bos. Koan 25 from the Book of Serenity One day Yanguan called to his attendant, “Bring me the rhinoceros fan.” The attendant said, “The fan is broken.” Yanguan said, “If the … Continue reading BOS. 25 Yanguan’s Rhinoceros Fan
Practicing with Terrorism
Am I terrorized? That’s what the extremists want. They want the “other”, the West, to be paralyzed by fear. My husband told me a quote from the paper that the … Continue reading Practicing with Terrorism
Four Noble Truths as Tasks
In studying the Four Noble Truths recently, I ran across some new terminology. We could say that the Four Noble Truths are four tasks- The Four Noble Tasks. These tasks … Continue reading Four Noble Truths as Tasks
Projections and Essence
How can we understand a verse like this? From the Lankavatara Sutra XXXII: Nothing exists at all And these are nothing but words Studying the Lankavara sutra is bringing together … Continue reading Projections and Essence
Milarepa’s Song to Lady Paldarboom
Here is a beautiful excerpt from Milarepa’s Song that was posted on the Insight Timer app on the Clouds in Water group site. posted by Genjo. “Then she said, “Dear … Continue reading Milarepa’s Song to Lady Paldarboom
The Four Erroneous Perceptions
In studying the Diamond Sutra we come across the Four Erroneous Perceptions. These are: From Thich Nhat Hanh’s translation: A self A person A living being A life span From … Continue reading The Four Erroneous Perceptions
Eight levels of Consciousness
One mindfulness practice is to be aware of what is coming through your sense gates. It is the awareness of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. We become more … Continue reading Eight levels of Consciousness
A “Health Sesshin”
When I most appreciate my practice is when I’m facing a personal difficulty, particularly when it concerns my health. It seems like ill-health brings up my worst fears and anxiety. … Continue reading A “Health Sesshin”
A Splendid Opportunity
Here is a terrific quote from Dogen Zenji on being in the present moment: “This is a splendid opportunity for buddha-dharma to enter into mud and water. If you do … Continue reading A Splendid Opportunity
Mid-Practice period – Refinement
We have about three weeks left of the Clouds in Water Practice Period. This is an individualized at-home practice period of our commitments in spiritual life. It is a revision … Continue reading Mid-Practice period – Refinement
Practicing with Confusion
Ken McLeod has always been one of my inspiring teachers. He has a great e-newsletter and website. Check him out at www.unfetteredmind.org. In his February newsletter he wrote about a … Continue reading Practicing with Confusion
Haikus for broken bones
Two weeks ago while on vacation in Colorado skiing, with many exhilarating moments, i had one moment of a crash with resulting consequences. I broke the head of my humerus … Continue reading Haikus for broken bones
Greg Kramer’s hungers
I have been studying the Four Noble Truths lately in preparation for writing a piece about them. I found this very interesting interpretation to the three desires of the 2nd noble … Continue reading Greg Kramer’s hungers
What is your original face?
Usually we answer the koan, “What is your original face?” with an emptiness response. It is a koan used to help Zen practitioners drop the stories and structures they believe … Continue reading What is your original face?
Three modes of Reality
Over the holidays, I recited the Lankavatara Sutra. This sutra is often said to expound the hallmark of the Zen school and very important in Early Zen in China. It … Continue reading Three modes of Reality
Having Tea Together
Just got a beautiful card in the mail. A quote from Joan Sutherland, a Zen Teacher in New Mexico. Here is what it said: “Let’s have tea. Let’s have galaxies, … Continue reading Having Tea Together