Training Everyday
For a true gentleman [junzi], learning is a matter of working on oneself. When slander and praise, glory and disgrace come, not only is his mind unmoved by such things, but he uses them as…
Category: Wisdom Traditions
Gatha of the Week/1
Laura Lapinski recently asked me what a gatha is, as that verse form figures in both The Book of Mev and Dear Layla. That query led to me back to my shelves to peruse Robert Aitken’s book,…
Four Truths and Ten Laws by Kazuaki Tanahashi
I have had many conversations with friends on what to do after the November election. The following may be of some value. Four Truths No situation is impossible to change. A communal vision, outstanding…
We Share the Same Nature
The power of mindfulness and concentration is the spiritual force behind all of the great men and women of human history. Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Keys (1974) Dipa Ma
Wake Up!
Zen Student: So, Master, is the soul immortal or not? Do we survive our bodily death or do we get annihilated? Do we really incarnate? Does our soul split up into component parts which get…
Teachers
Dear Simone, As much as I love to read, I think if we only had was Easwaran’s translation of the Dhammapada, Schmidt’s book on Dipa Ma, and Knaster’s book on Munindra, we’d have enough teaching,…
Thought of the Day
It is well, when judging a friend, to remember that he is judging you with the same godlike and superior impartiality. –Arnold Bennett
Agenda, Second Saturday Sangha 12 November 2016
Opening/The Heart Sutra The Bodhisattva Avalokita, while moving in the deep course of Perfect Understanding, shed light on the five skandhas and found them equally empty. After this penetration, he overcome all pain. “Listen, Shariputra,…
Safa and the Marine Face to Face in the Parking Lot (Ahimsa/2)
Dear Professor You asked how things are going in grad school Here’s today’s highlight— Before going to class today I stopped at Starbucks to get a latte As I was walking back to my car…
Gathas Written at Northwest Coffee, 11.9.2016
1. Breathing in, all this toxicity Breathing out, compassion is available 2. Breathing in, noticing this state of being stunned Breathing out, realizing this state is impermanent 3. Breathing in my friends’ despair Breathing out:…