As a young women, Ryonen Genso was an attendant to the empress and was known for her beauty and intelligence. When the empress died, she felt the impermanence of life, … Continue reading Ryonen Scars Her Face, 17th century
Tag: Thich Nhat hanh
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
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
The disease of wanting more
Since January of this year I have been using a new mantra: Accept, accept, accept, enough, enough, enough, relax, relax, relax. I have been contemplating the word “enough” which has … Continue reading The disease of wanting more
Talk for Carl Myosen’s memorial
From Reb Anderson’s Chapter on “Do not kill” in “Being Upright”: Life does not change into death. death does not change into life. life is just life; death is just … Continue reading Talk for Carl Myosen’s memorial
Recognizing feelings and emotions
Mindfulness of feelings and emotions are a very important part of my practice. When I am aware of what I am feeling, I am less likely, as Katagiri Roshi used … Continue reading Recognizing feelings and emotions
Exhaling and dissolving.
Here are some quotes from Suzuki Roshi in “Not Always So” (chapter: Calmness of Mind) that emphasize working with the exhale while meditating: “Calmness of mind is beyond the end … Continue reading Exhaling and dissolving.
Addendum to No-Birth, No-Death
I found this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh after I wrote the last blog. I thought it really described this practice of feeling the mutuality of form and emptiness. We … Continue reading Addendum to No-Birth, No-Death
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, … Continue reading No-Birth, No-death
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 … Continue reading Now, Now, Now
Touching the Earth Mudra
I would like to continue to unpack the practice of composure or the practice of no preference. “With the least like or dislike, the mind is lost in confusion” (Fukanzazengi, … Continue reading Touching the Earth Mudra
A loving sangha, a committed group of ordinary people
In Buddha’s time, there was not a teaching of the triple treasure: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Only the first 60 disciples had direct contact with the Buddha and these original … Continue reading A loving sangha, a committed group of ordinary people
Watering the good seeds
Spiritual practice is a little easier when things are going well, right? It’s easier to be loving, centered and peaceful when the world is favorable. But when the world is … Continue reading Watering the good seeds
My dear suffering
My dear suffering, I know you are there, I am here for you, and I will take care of you. — Thich Nhat Hanh There are many moments in … Continue reading My dear suffering
Touching the earth
For the past few weeks, I have been working with Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “Touching the earth”. This new practice has brought me refreshment and a greater level of peace … Continue reading Touching the earth
Grace in Buddhism
I often search for a long time to find how certain Judeo-Christian terms translate to Buddhism. When I find a pathway of translation, I’m quite excited. I have long looked … Continue reading Grace in Buddhism
Disidentification with emotions
How can we feel our emotions and disidentify with them at the same time? Sometimes, it is worded: how can I respond not react? In Tara Brach’s wording, “How can … Continue reading Disidentification with emotions