Keep Opening the Door

Photo: annemini.com

When you sit down to meditate, you never know what’s going to come up. Some days  you’re hammered by relentless trivia; other days you’re caught in storms of anger or grief or  fear. What’s important is just to keep coming back to the cushion, to keep opening the door  to the possibility of peace and insight.

- Anne Cushman, "Fifteen Weeks of Dharma Dating"

Get Yourself Out of the Way

Photo: wisdompubs.org The more we can get the self out of the way, the more clearly we can see the effect of our  thoughts, words, and action upon ourselves and others.

- Andrew Olendzki, “Moral Health”

John Daido Loori on practice.

Photo: New York Times

In order to reach our full human potential, we must live completely and die completely. In order for this practice to function, it needs to be engaged. It does not happen automatically because we wrap a rakusu around our neck, put on a robe, attend a retreat, or read a book on Zen—“Okay, I’m here. Now do me, dharma.” It does not happen that way. We have to work for it. We have to put ourselves on the line. We have to practice the edge of our life in order to receive the dharma. Undeniably, it is here. We are surrounded, interpenetrated, enveloped, and swallowed by it. But most of us are blind and deaf to it. We do not see it. We do not hear it. We do not feel it. When will we wake up?

From The Heart of Being: Moral and Ethical Teachings of Zen Buddhism, by John Daido Loori, Roshi. Copyright © 1996 by Dharma Communications.

A few more words from Thay...

This fits perfectly with the topic of last Sunday's meeting. Have a lovely Monday.

Photo: Plum Village

All that we are is the result of mind; mind is everything.

When I act with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never leaves me.

All that we are is the result of mind; mind is everything.

When I act with an impure mind, sorrow follows like the wheels of a cart follow the ox.

I have no knowledge of any heavens or hells other than the ones which we concoct within our own minds, and then inflict upon ourselves and each other.

"I’ve been a monk for 65 years, and what I have found is that there is no religion, no philosophy, no ideology higher than brotherhood and sisterhood. Not even Buddhism."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Miracles of Understanding

An interview with Thay in the Bangkok Post.
Peace and reconciliation are possible if Thai citizens and politicians renew and apply engaged Buddhism in their lives and political activities.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/family/348748/miracles-of-understanding