I have taught concentration and the instructions to focus your mind for many, many years. I have taught this to myself and others. These instructions of course were coming from my point of view. In self-reflection and in hindsight, I see that I have taught concentration and changing habits with a lot of will-power or … Continue reading Curiosity and Concentration
Tag: mindfulness
The “N” of RAIN – Non-identification, Noting or Nurture
All the previous steps create the conditions to naturally turn towards our experience rather than turning away from it. We set up ease so that we begin to note or become the witness or neutral observer of our experience. What I like about this is that it is natural or effortless or unforced. So much … Continue reading The “N” of RAIN – Non-identification, Noting or Nurture
The “I” of RAIN – Investigation
There are habituated patterns that I would like still like to release. As I observe these patterns, I’ve noticed the result is often in the category of numbing out or avoidance. If I overeat, for example, I don’t really know what I’m feeling – I avoid what I’m feeling. This actually leaves a very unsettled … Continue reading The “I” of RAIN – Investigation
The “A” of “RAIN” – Accept or Allow
What is the difference between resisting our karma and accepting it? By acceptance, I don’t mean passivity or ignoring. There is a way to receive what is happening, or karma, in the present moment, with softness and gentleness, rather than ignoring or pushing the “bad stuff” away. We can allow or accept what is happening … Continue reading The “A” of “RAIN” – Accept or Allow
the “R” of “RAIN” – Recognize
Curiously for me, my practice has been returning to the basic question, “What’s happening right now?” I am using this question as my basis for my mindfulness investigation. I am on sabbatical from Clouds in Water. I have dropped the form and the structure of a Zen Community for the time being, and I am … Continue reading the “R” of “RAIN” – Recognize
The Corpse in Decay
These are notes on the end of Chapter 10, mindfulness of physical characteristics, in Joseph Goldstein’s book Mindfulness. The last section of mindfulness of the body is the contemplation of corpses in various states of decay. Buddha’s contemplation in the sutta is: Again, monks, as though he were to see a corpse thrown aside in … Continue reading The Corpse in Decay
Mindfulness of “I am”
Continuing to study Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein. These are notes on the middle part of Chapter 10, “Mindfulness of physical characteristics” “Conceit” in its Buddhist usage, refers to the deeply rooted sense of “I am”, “I was”, or “I will be.” This is the last of the veils of ignorance that needs to be removed … Continue reading Mindfulness of “I am”
Abiding Independently and the Bahiya Sutta
These are notes taken from studying Joseph Goldstein’s book, “Mindfulness.” This is the last part of chapter 6. The last sentence of the refrain is: And one abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world” This line encapsulates the whole path. Abiding independently means that the mind is not attached to any arising experience, … Continue reading Abiding Independently and the Bahiya Sutta
Satipatthanas sutta refrain
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
Concentration – The Collected Nature of Mind
These are notes from Joseph Goldstein’s book “Mindfulness”. It is the last of the section about the four qualities of mind: ardency, clearly knowing, mindfulness and concentration. One of the benefits of meditation is to find a clearer, calmer mind. This helps us in so many ways. It helps us relax and be present, and … Continue reading Concentration – The Collected Nature of Mind
Mindfulness, the Gateway to Wisdom
Continuing with notes from Joseph Goldstein’s “Mindfulness” book. We are working with the section on the four qualities of mind: Ardency, Clearly knowing, mindfulness, and concentration. Mindfulness is much more than what our pop-culture thinks of it, which is simply something about returning to the present moment. The media often says- this was a Zen … Continue reading Mindfulness, the Gateway to Wisdom
Clearly knowing
Notes from Joseph Goldstein’s book “Mindfulness; a practical guide to awakening” Clearly knowing is one of the four qualities of mind: Ardency, Clearly knowing, mindfulness, and concentration. Clearly knowing – Sampajanna This is translated in different ways as clearly knowing, clear comprehension or fully aware. This is a quality of mind that encourages mindfulness to … Continue reading Clearly knowing
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 are so simple and ordinary that they feel like they are barely there, but I still love them. It is their nakedness that deeply instructs … Continue reading Book of Serenity #39 “Wash Your Bowl”
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 of what the traditional practice period was like. Traditionally, the practitioners would commit to a certain schedule that would be done communally, all together in … Continue reading Mid-Practice period – Refinement
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
Karen Maezen Miller’s “Weeds”
I am just going to quote what I found in Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly, in the summer 2014 issue. This is from Karen Maezen Miller’s book: Paradise in Plain Sight published by New World Library, May 2014: “In these sixteen years of gardening, I have not yet learned how to garden. My most useful tools … Continue reading Karen Maezen Miller’s “Weeds”
Hurry corrodes Meaning
I have a teaching story or Koan from Tomoe Katagiri who is a teacher for many of us in her quiet way. She is Katagiri-roshi’s widow. Thursday, Sosan and I went to her house to work on Jukai (Buddhist initiation) names. We are continuing again this Jukai to give the participants Japanese names with translations. … Continue reading Hurry corrodes Meaning
The Deep Habit of Forgetfulness
From Thich Nhat Hanh, “Touching the Earth, Intimate Conversations with Buddha,” page 27: “Lord Buddha, I recognize my deep habit energy of forgetfulness. I often allow my mind to think about the past, so that I drown in sorrow and regret. This has caused me to lose so many opportunities to be in touch with … Continue reading The Deep Habit of Forgetfulness
Witnessing and self-sacrifice
I’d like to hold up a very interesting article I read by Ajahn Viradhammo in the most recent Buddha-dharma magazine, summer 2013, in his article “Unlimited Heart.” I recommend reading the whole article. It was straight to the point of practice and practicing in a household, not in a monastery. He seems to have a … Continue reading Witnessing and self-sacrifice
The household of the Buddha-ancestors is our house.
“The day to day activities in the household of the Buddha-ancestors, is our house, our life and our activity. This doing and not doing, is imbued thoroughly with the total dynamic functioning of moment-to-moment reality. Nothing is left out and there can be great peace and ease in this understanding.” — Dogen Zenji. A friend … Continue reading The household of the Buddha-ancestors is our house.