Wednesday, October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020

 South China Morning Post:  Article by Randy Komisar, Pt. 3

What is the point?  In pure meditation there is no goal.  But beginners come with expectations.  Reducing anxiety, sleeping better, solving relationship problems, finding more energy, etc. If you commit to meditate over time you will find these goals and the fruits of your effort will change.  Don't get lost in ideas.  Your analytic mind is just a step on the path.  It is your Big Mind, the mind you share with everything, that eventually eclipses the petty needs of the small mind, the mind that gets us our cup of coffee and answers the phone. And usually gets in our way. You will know Big Mind when you see it :)

I find that by addressing my ego and accepting it as part of the human experience I am more accepting of others.  After all, the less there is of me the more room there is for everything else. When people ask what I have gotten in exchange for countless hours sitting on a cushion every day now for over 25 years I reply, "Not much.  Just peace of mind and understanding".

In the US mindfulness has become a meme. Certainly we all need more mindfulness. More awareness.  More attention.  But mindfulness is not meditation. Meditation may give us a sense of mindfulness, but the life hacking shortcuts being offered for achieving mindfulness will not convey meditation's deep awakening.  Use the techniques, but know that they are just knocking at the door that meditation can open.

Covid has only added to the anxieties that life in the 21st Century presents.  And it will certainly drive people to find more ways to survive in the maelstrom. Meditation is a practice that has proven its merit through countless generations.  It is certainly up to the task. But be prepared for surprises.  Be prepared to see others as part of yourself, not aliens threatening your existence.  Be prepared for the compassion that arises naturally when you see yourself as a part of and not separate from the world. Be prepared to be kinder to people.  Be prepared to be more grateful for every little thing.  And most importantly, be prepared to smile more.

 Life is short, savor the moments that meditation can illuminate

Photo contributed by Pixie Couch

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Our ZHS on-line schedule

  • Mondays: 7-8:30pm - zazen, short service, lecture/discussion
  • Tuesdays-Fridays: 5:30-6:10pm - zazen, offering of merit/bows
  • M-F: 7-7:30am - zazen
  • Saturdays: 8:00-10:15am - zazen, short service, tea, discussion/study
  • For more information:  www.zenheartsangha.org) 
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Special bows for today: 
  • Please offer bows for dharma brother, David Shaw, who suffered a stroke on 9/30/20
  • Please offer bows for all those families who have lost their lives or their homes in the recent fires in Oregon, California, and Washington
  • Please continue to offer bows of well-being for:   
    • Charles Kennicott Leech, Nancy's father who is in the hospita
    • Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died 9/18/2020
    • Takiko Kawakami, Fumiko Arao's mother who died 9/2/2020
    • Phyllis Merrill, Misha's mother, who is dying
    • Rev. Les Kaye, Misha’s Zen teacher, who is recovering at home undergoing chemotherapy
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Wonderful links shared by sangha members and friends:

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