These are notes from Joseph Goldstein’s book “Mindfulness.” These notes are from Chapter 5 on Contemplating the Four Foundations. There is a refrain that occurs 13 times in the sutra. An abbreviated version is thus: In this way, in regard to the body (feelings, mind, dhammas) one abides contemplating the body (feelings, mind, dhammas) internally, or … Continue reading Satipatthanas sutta refrain
Tag: impermanence
Goldstein’s mindfulness, “Ardency”
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 position at Clouds in Water Zen Center and teaching at a very minimal level. The open space that stepping down has created has been good … Continue reading Goldstein’s mindfulness, “Ardency”
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 as “self” and enter into a connection with ultimate existence. Sometimes, it’s even supplemented by saying, “What is your original face before your parents were … Continue reading What is your original face?
Awakened Awareness gone beyond individualized consciousness #5
What does it mean to be awake? To truly be in the present moment where the truth happening place resides? Awareness is to be present in each moment and to accept each moment exactly as it is. In order to do this, your mind has to be tamed. You place your mind and mindfulness to … Continue reading Awakened Awareness gone beyond individualized consciousness #5
“Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate” #1
I received this translation of the “gate” mantra from Dan Brown who is a Tibetan Teacher: From the end of the Heart Sutra: Gate, gate – beyond thought Paragate – beyond personal identity Parasamgate- beyond constructions of Time Bodhi – awakened awareness gone beyond individual consciousness Svaha – ohh, ah, wow! I went to … Continue reading “Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate” #1
No-Birth, No-death
From “Touching the Earth, Intimate Conversations with the Buddha” by Thich Nhat Hanh, pages 25 and 26: “Lord Buddha, I shall listen to your advice and look deeply into impermanence, interdependence, emptiness and interbeing, in order to arrive at the deep realization that all that exists has the nature of no birth/ no death no … Continue reading No-Birth, No-death
Make use of your one precious life
As I drove down to Hokyoji Zen Monastery to lead sesshin, I was filled with gratitude for Zen practice in my life and for this particular monastery. I have been coming to Hokyoji since it started around 1977. It has been a place of many 7-day sesshins and practice periods. It is a beautiful environment … Continue reading Make use of your one precious life
Losing our balance in a background of perfect harmony
Quotes from Suzuki Roshi, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind, page 27 “To live in the realm of Buddha nature means to die as a small being, moment after moment” This quote seems to support what we have been studying in Dogen’s Being-time. Our small being attaches to the appearance of life, to linear progressive time, to … Continue reading Losing our balance in a background of perfect harmony
Now, Now, Now
Bring your whole, unified body and mind to this moment, fully knowing that this moment is impermanent. This moment arises and disappears in 1/62nd of a finger snap. That happens so fast we cannot catch it with consciousness, but we can notice the activity we are engaged in and completely do this one activity. Katagiri Roshi … Continue reading Now, Now, Now