With palms together,

Good Morning Everyone,

Next weekend we will be at the Mountain Refuge practicing zazen in honor of Rohatsu, the Buddha's Enlightenment. When we practice zazen, we practice enlightenment. This very posture if sitting upright, attention present, with mind like Teflon, is awakening itself.

We learn from this practice that we are to do what needs to be done without hindrance of the mind. The dogs need to go out, we let them out.  The kitty needs to be petted, we pet the kitty. The child needs attention, we give her  attention. This is what it means to say:  "When walking, walk; when sitting, sit; above all, don't wobble."

Zen practice is all about fluidity.  Its not about sticking to any one thing.  I remain prone to obsessiveness, stuck on the thing I am doing as if it were the reason for my life.  Yet, there in front of me is My Little Honey or granddaughter Livvie, and they need my attention.  I watch myself as I give up on the thing I am doing, to take care of my loved one's needs.  I experience the resentment, but then my mind lets go and I am present with them.

Zen practice requires true practice.  It requires a willingness to examine oneself in bright light and let what is the subject of the examination go.

Please consider joining us at Daihoji Refuge in Cloudcroft NM December 5,6,7.

May we all be free from suffering.