Body/mind practice is at the very root of Zen. Here’s a synopsis of the historical and doctrinal background by Prof. Steve Heine, a respected authority in the West:
“Zen does not appear to put an emphasis on the body, as it is generally referred to as the ‘mind’ school of traditional East Asian philosophy. In its [...]
In preparing for the body-mind workshop (see posting below) I turn to Ken Wilber, one of the most widely-read and influential American philosopher of our time:
“There are, as one would expect, all sorts of reasons why we abandon our bodies, and why we now fear to reclaim them. … On a superficial level, we refuse to reclaim the [...]
The patient I’ve been telling you about (see post boundaries on Monday) died yesterday afternoon. I sat with his widow, daughter, and son-in-law; we prayed and they wept. Meanwhile, the staff phoned the funeral home, the priest came and went, and forms had to be signed. Once everyone was gone, I went into the patient’s room, closed his [...]
In his book Thoughts in solitude, Thomas Merton (late Trappist monk, Catholic priest, poet, and social activist) explores the meaning of interior solitude and its role in bringing every life to joyous fruition. “What is said here about solitude is not just a recipe for hermits,” he writes in the preface, “it has a bearing on [...]
Feng Jun carries a portrait of her dead son through the rubble of a collapsed school in Juyuan, in Sichuan. The boy was one of many students killed when the May 12 earthquake toppled the building. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
A letter posted at CBC News:
“This may sound silly to some, but I hope people realize they can [...]
Once more I’m able to shed light on a lived experience by seeing it through the lense of ancient teachings. The following is an excerpt from a book by Ellen Birx, a Zen teacher and professor of nursing (see also previous posting).
When Zen masters speak of nonduality, they often say, “Not one, not two.” Not one means distinction remain, and are [...]
Norman Zoketsu Fischer, long-time teacher, poet, and former abbot of San Francisco Zen Center, writes about the impermanence of time and body:
“Dogen, a 13th Century Japanese Zen master, asks, ‘What is that appears?’ This is also my question. What is that appears? Who is it who is alive, in this body, in this world?
“Time is [...]
by John O’Donohue (1956-2008), Irish mystic, former Catholic priest, scholar and poet, who died unexpectedly this January. May he rest in peace.
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness?
May this [...]
Where does compassion come from? How is it that, in the afternoon of life, being of service and developing loving-kindness (metta) have become such central issues in my life? [see also my postings over the previous three days.]
“Compassion,” writes Jungian psychotherapist Rob Preece, “does not arise from ideals of perfection but from a recognition of and concern for [...]
World Vision – has assessment teams on the ground and wants to raise $3 million from Canadians. The organization is already assisting more than 100,000 people in Rangoon and the Irrawaddy Delta region by providing rice, water, and critical supplies.
Canadian Red Cross – Funds raised will be used to provide survivors with basic supplies and [...]
The word metta comes from the ancient Pali, meaning “love” or “lovingkindness.” Its roots are “gentle” and “friend.” Sharon Salzberg decribes metta as ”the ability to embrace all parts of ourselves, as well as all parts of the world. Practicing metta illuminates our inner integrity because it relieves us of the need to deny different aspects of ourselves.”
Now [...]
Speaking in Berlin, the Dalai Lama repeated his call for non-aggression to resolve international conflicts. He reiterated his wish for a peaceful China and called for the suspension of all Tibet/China protests as a sign of respect for the victims of the earthquake catastrophe in Sichuan Province.
“We don’t want separation,” he explained once more; Tibetans ask [...]
Compassion, a word with Latin roots (com- “together” + pati “to suffer”) means to suffer with, to feel another’s pain. Most of the time I feel compassion for someone I like, even for people I barely know. But what if I dislike or strongly disapprove of someone’s actions and character? Can I learn to feel compassionate towards [...]
David Bazier is a psychotherapist and Zen practitioner from the north of England. He writes:
“Everything put together comes apart sooner or later. … The idea cuts away the whole basis of the rat race. The Zen view is that grief is a consequence of the unrealistic way we habitually perceive the world; a way which … [...]
