We read and discussed the introduction to "The Five Invitations"....NOTE: there are some quiet spots where we are reflecting on what has been said--no hurry--just keep watching...
Sunday, May 14, 2023...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
Thursday #1, May 11, 2023...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, May 7, 2023...
TOPICS: Listen and if you would help me, write a summary of the topics in the way I do. I'm having a harder time keeping up--can someone help me?
Pic is of the poster for my art show at the Aromas Community Grange called, "A Pre-Industrial Mental Landscape"
Link to Zoom (video) recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/H7A8iOlRsY7UD2bQl60q2sd4BQHy1bFHHuHpFSbrx0NODaniC5tRw-b_nsPhuuuz.3P5ISEGNweEfbxZe?startTime=1683483133000
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, April 30, 2023...
TOPICS: Today we spoke about "lighthearted earnestness" as a great way of describing the attitude encouraged in Wild Country Zen--not taking ourselves too seriously, but building the discipline through a strong, sincere, and steady commitment to practice, to “show up” for this world; part of showing up is LOVE, which Scott Peck defined in "The Road Less Travelled" as "...the willingness to EXTEND yourself to aid in the growth of another..."; some thoughts on preparing for the upcoming practice period on "the great matter of birth and death" which starts Thursday, May 11 at 7pm.; a reminder of the role of “dana” (generosity); and the opportunity on Monday, May 8th 1-3pm at the Aromas Community Grange to explore the art I created for our weekly Dharma talks, in a show called, “A Pre-Industrial Mental Landscape," perhaps an example of lighthearted earnestness?
[Painting is called "Shugyō" which means "deep mind training"]
Link to Zoom (video) recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/-4fP_7pnb3NQdwLbDHuFfMBhhVnXfmJ4QaCQmCuQambbqfgOsJOJPghO21mrvuIJ.D_h9uo2aKKZVrgBO?startTime=1682878406000
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, April 23, 2023...
TOPICS: The "great matter" is how life and death is referred to in Zen literature. Today we talked about the potential to do a practice period on this, with each of us speaking from the heart about our understanding, beliefs, hopes and fears; the topic must include grief in all it's forms, and for all the reasons we experience this basic emotion; we may add Thursdays at 7pm, beginning on Thursday, May 4th, to our usual Sunday sessions 9-noon (all times Pacific), and will continue to sit nearly everyday at 7am and 7pm; we also talked about the possibility of having one in-person meditation session at the Grange; lots of "ifs" yet to be worked out, so let’s see how the idea unfolds…
Painting I did months ago, and probably called it something different, but today I would name it, "Alluvial Fans of Great Matter" ... ;-)
Link to Zoom (video) recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/FZex9UTL_aT-caZOaD7Oxtr3ZgDm9LzmKYHSw5f9tQm59LM9oBR4Yvo8MERtrL3V.Z5INv7WLKratWZzk
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On April 16, 2023...
TOPICS: We humans are storytellers, and the story we tell ourselves can be the enabler of change or the self-limiting roadblock; looking closer at the idea that things are meant to be; what is doing the best we can?; the role and function of religion; karma and hidden baggage; empathy and the benefit of the doubt; compassion and the wisdom of practice...
Link to Zoom (video) recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aRBFRQZVu3c8fIpYXpM7EOaUjNi6PasEvzWldfopxHPwLln-pERcV4ylI1UgXQ_t.4A3tWckW5XCDYcVG?startTime=1681669094000
Pic is artworks from my Aromas Grange show
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, April 9, 2023...
TOPICS: What is the recommended way to sit zazen meditation?; to answer we continued our reading and discussion of Dogen's very detailed instructions in his writing called “Fukanzazengi”; the role of posture in providing a direct report on where your mind is; remembering that language can present contradictions not found in "reality"; thus, there are absolute and relative truths seemingly in opposition; this leads to how practice in meditation is in reality practice to become skillful in all of life--not just meditation—and over time, changes our habit-energies in support of upaya (skillful means); so giving ourselves (and others) the "benefit of the doubt" is wise, as certainty in knowing what is skillful is not always possible…
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/QQ5JSlHtYGUOcJo6fEG2YFJtwUG5463vQQoiTkqhPqgYyNjXpwFJAjKh800iDOcB.T54IaMt1492AXm6p?startTime=1681064016000
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
Recorded on the night before our Zazenkai...
TOPICS: On the night before our Spring Zazenkai (for us, a half-day sit with 7 periods of zazen) we read the first 5 paragraphs of "Fukanzazengi," Dogen's instruction and suggestions on sitting zazen meditation; overview of some key Zen forms for being in a Zendo; the paradox of accepting "suchness" while following the Bodhisattva path of reducing suffering (meaning, working for change); explanation of Zen roles; what can happen with our mind when we do multiple sits like in a Zazenkai--excursions across a wild frontier, investigation that reveals the "channels" and re-runs of our thoughts, feelings, and memories; seeing through the illusion of a solid self as we ride the waves of our changing moods--all just another show; and if we're lucky, abiding in moments of stillness leading to a spacious and peaceful freedom.
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/LsAx4wpiUEbQlV-GQg2w4BARFAnrbx_qnBVR5cscPRlAfjPAJMplVvFVLDjCmyAz.OK-ezvBQHf8B3R6t?startTime=1680920931000
Photo: Dog and Man (Taizan and Dosha)
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, April 2, 2023...
TOPICS: Excerpts from a variety of Tibetan sutras like "Tipola's Song to Naropa" after a service of reading the Zen sutra "Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi"... and interweaving Ken Wilbur's idea of maturity and the level of the "integral" maturity that extracts the wisdom from each spiritual tradition (including the agnostics)... and a sprinkling of irreverent belly laughs mixed with a heaping sample of the "sweet nectar of Dharma"... AND... announcing our ShiKan Zazenkai this coming Saturday, April 8 (with a preview on Friday night, April 7).The preliminary schedule is located on our WildCountryZen.com website by scrolling down the Home page to find the section called "FILES," where you can download it...
Link to Zoom (video) recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ocnX6ceAC9dRr9YaSyVbUIVkj6SqfrxdrGP9LaWlm4dEz86wce-yUKQDW17BSMzn.1pDtElT4vGWDQq8N?startTime=1680459633000
[Painting called, "Underwater Bamboo Forest"]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, March 12, 2023…
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xIbfYXYQlXbeApAn-8rqZFV6G8DoPDoNP7U0-lLNseTAFBuuSjeN79hoUA7ddR0l.V4wNLo6eX3fJy0Ph?startTime=1678644660000
TOPICS: First, we looked at the meaning of several passages in the sutra we chanted during our service today “The Sutra on the Heart of Realizing Wisdom Beyond Wisdom”; and as part of this exploration we talked about how this high level of wisdom—where all concepts and ideas are ultimately let go of—even this path we call Zen—can become translated into the second level of wisdom, the wisdom that offers training to become skillfulness-in-action--our direct contribution manifested in reducing the suffering in the world; doing so through practical guides such as the Jukai precepts and Bodhisattva vows, and refreshing our spirits in the practice of stillness; so you might say going from the philosophical “whys” to the down-to-earth “hows” in realizing our intentions, towards a life well-lived; and last but not least, we focused on moments of beauty, with a generous helping from a few readings of the song (in poem) called Tilopa’s Song to Naropa, wisely advising us to “…simply open into transparency with relaxed, natural grace, intellect at ease in silence, limbs at rest in stillness, like hollow bamboos…”
[Painting called, "Bamboo in a Sandstorm"]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, March 5, 2023...
Link to Zoom Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Kq0OLSyHAo07ITu_2urjHJlwL_4E9HKK9_B-NQVZcg9g37YNbyuXFz7nGS4zh0v3.Hk6xctoGdYAWrIiU?startTime=1678043466000
TOPICS: Doesn't mean to live in cave, but rather to not be dragged away by the past, not living in fear of the future, and not being pulled around by strong emotions caused by circumstances in the present--i.e., to live sovereign in the present moment; whether we physically live alone or not, we need sangha (to sit with dedicated practitioners), learning to live fully in mindfulness.
[Painting is called "A Pre-Industrial Mental Landscape]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday February 19, 2023...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/4j3Ac8oX4rJYUpPc7W36q6IhI5GV12Luo1j53VdbucX04xhL6j2tEIFAVxzH7DAg.4o7gAlLIr1Pqa4dH?startTime=1676833881000
TOPICS: Preparing for a deep dive into the Nirvana Chapter of the Chinese Dharmapada commentary that Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, I shared some thoughts on what he writes Nirvana is and how to manifest it in our lives anytime now--not after we're dead!
[Painting called, "An Energy Flowing Through Nutrients"]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/pTNXW4sviP7bLg3TXn0PBIcNUUtNZaobljXo1YSx1kcd3O_ghBmj6UkIM4LHs8Rn.EF0HJEQ9DT4ZKPyZ?startTime=1676229557000
TOPICS: I shared some readings from "The Deepest Peace" by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, an ordained Zen Buddhist priest, who talks in poetic terms about stillness, solitude, silence, and the possibility for finding peace in the midst of a troubled world; we asked the question: what would be left if we discarded the toxic elements in our life; and do we have the courage to disrupt the momentum of habits and customs and relationships we have inherited or adopted in earlier times which no longer serve us; and much more--as always, we explore tangential paths suggested by one idea or another, a stimulating discussion on a leisurely Sunday morning over tea…
The painting is called, "Lost in the Universe," which is a companion piece to "At Home in the Universe;" the difference being "Lost" has a black mosaic overlay, portraying the painting now in a million pieces of different shapes and sizes, yet you can still (barely) make out the underlying image...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday February 5, 2023...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/vgHgw6YouRPEJTdZnNezAv6r1mvNbGkMKUOoill1Z3v2bzxyWI6tVI0ceaq4r_Hf.wtamPVlhDW9p34lk?startTime=1675624380000
TOPICS: Many Zen wisdom writings and sutras are written in an esoteric style--i.e., intended and/or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest; we discussed the pros and cons for everyday practitioners to invest the intellectual capital required to study Zen classics such as Dogen's Genjokoan; or is it more beneficial for practitioners to access the detailed explanations of those who have studied for decades, as found in their expert commentaries, such as Shohaku Okumura's "Realizing Genjokoan,” leaving everyday practitioners to focus limited time and energy on the practices of meditation and applying the much more directly understood Zen teachings in the Jukai precepts, the Bodhisattva paramita's, and the Noble truth’s 8-fold path?; rather than come to closure, we left it as a question for more investigation...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, January 29, 2023...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/EW3_HcvWNcp0Q-w0ENkeLeZ0agz2cA95DFJB1GJEno1rcoHlO9vetl9GPxkTjG1q.gdQwg2DwG2YAM6MN?startTime=1675019637000
TOPICS: After settling in to three delightful periods of zazen meditation and two walking (kinin) meditations, we enjoyed a Zen service of chanting and giving thanks to past Dharma teachers and all those who have been helpful to us on our path; then after a silent tea we examined more closely the sutra we chanted this morning called, "The Insight That Leads to the Other Shore," Thich Nhat Hanh's re-writing of the classic "Wisdom Beyond Wisdom Heart Sutra;" this lead to a sangha discussion of the foundations of Zen Buddhism and our beloved practice...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, a Dharma talk with a bit of a smorgasbord of nutritious tastes...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/l_j7bx34chpu_GEWk6Fu0NLiT5-dCqeYWHRo9yIYeob43sVZVg1TtDLR1bWAz3zJ.qAMsqKotCViyyo9R?startTime=1674414813000
TOPICS: this talk and discussion was like a delicious picnic--all kinds of bits and tastes, both new treats and old favorites; techniques to tame agitation when meditating, recognizing where ennui and dissatisfaction come from and how to transform them by extracting from the general to the particular as a required first step; getting into the adventure of investigation of our breathing; how a quiet mind and open heart is the vehicle most likely to be truly wise and helpful in pursuit of our intentions; the discipline of stepping up and rising to the occasion instead of complaining "...it's not my shit/fault/responsibility!"; and all together a delightful potluck of goodies contributed from our sangha...
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On a wet and soggy Sunday, January 15, 2023...
Link to Zoom Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/PE3Syi5shTEifdUNNsF_o-nSJ-wic19aEEXIS1IMLxEKzUXbTsR15QZXE4jfbGBF.atfqV5e2HeMeNIXF?startTime=1673809840000
TOPICS: Continuing to look at spiritual first principles, this week at "Faith" and the role of religion; read excerpts from Maria Popova's wonderful book "Figuring," including "...how some truths, like beauty, are best illuminated by the sidewise gleam of figuring, of meaning making;" in her flash of brilliance she then asks the essential question: "How, in this blink of existence, bookended by nothingness, do we attain completeness of being?;" I shared more as well from James Fowler's "The Stages of Faith," and of Kolhberg's theory of 3 experiences required to develop principled and consistent moral reasoning (irrespective of organized religion): 1) young people must encounter experiences of conflicting values in a context of moratorium; 2) an experience of sustained responsibility for the welfare of others; and 3) an experience making and living with irreversible moral choices; and as always, we made a tapestry of these "growing up" (no matter your age) psychological maturity suggestions with the “waking up” wisdom and practices of Wild Country Zen...
[Painting called, "At Home in the Universe"]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, the Sunday after the end of our practice period...
Link to Zoom recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/rflLDMU6bFSbF2GDZ1nmPehfKZJ2eIEpRjyzS8adiq7V6kt_EfgWcxLShIVmPvn8.090Du-umWV-I0Z3H?startTime=1673205064000
TOPICS: A bit from Maria Popova's "The Tragic Miracle of Consciousness," and how Hope may be how we have evolved to cushion our spirit from the brutality of conscious existence; disabusing ourselves of many "common sense" ideas by going back to first principles and reviewing our assumptions rather than blindly accepting our inherited illusions; but returning again to the question: are there useful delusions?; the choice between the comfort of foggy thinking or the hard edge of accuracy; the precepts and 8-fold path as navigation tools that "work" even in that fog of overwhelm; walking this path requires real courage to face "suchness" -- exactly-as-it-is--and find meaning and purpose in Shugyō--dedication to deep-mind training to be increasingly skilled in the acts of compassion that together add up to a life well lived.
[Painting called, "Suchness"]
野生 の国 禅
Yasei no Kuni Zen
Wild Country Zen
The link button below will take you to more Zoom recordings on a wide range of Zen topics--check out the titles and descriptions and explore!
all photos and Paintings by Taizan Gendo except where noted Copyright © 2021 Wild Country Zen - All Rights Reserved.
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