Hakone Zendo

Zazen Meditation Community in Saratoga, California

Category: Weekly Sharing

  • The Power of “Yet” and “Get”

    Susan LI reflects on her experience sharing at an event without her husband’s support, embracing the discomfort that accompanies change and growth. She emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, using the word “yet” to foster improvement, and shifts her perspective from “have to” to “get to,” cultivating gratitude for opportunities.

  • Impermanence and an Open Mind: Reflections from Kamakura

    Kaz shares his experiences from a recent trip to Tokyo and a visit to Engakuji temple, emphasizing the decline in younger monks in traditional practices. His conversation with a monk highlights the importance of evolving traditions, such as at Hakone Zendo, while embracing impermanence and adaptability in daily life.

  • The Reality of Right Now

    The author reflects on the importance of being present and accepting oneself in the moment. They challenge the ego’s desire for preparation and organization, emphasizing that life is defined by the present, not just a journey. Meditation aids in awareness, allowing a non-judgmental acknowledgment of thoughts and feelings.

  • Mindfulness at the Doorway

    Lakshmi shares her experience with a peripheral vision test, likening it to a mindfulness exercise. She encourages readers to incorporate mindfulness into daily life, such as pausing and observing surroundings when entering new spaces. Observing a woman in pain at a market reminded her of the importance of being present to enhance life’s experiences and…

  • Mindfulness Techniques

    The post by Aaron highlights effective mindfulness techniques from a British medical publication, echoing practices at Hakone. Key tips include using meditative anchors like breath awareness, maintaining a natural breathing rhythm, adopting a stable meditation posture, employing mindfulness reminders, and embodying mindfulness in daily life for true effectiveness.

  • Rely on Yourself: Remembering Rev. Ito

    Rev. Ito, founder of the zendo, was born in Japan in 1930 and later moved to the U.S. After a career including IBM, he influenced many with his teachings on self-reliance and gratitude. A stern yet compassionate teacher, he encouraged deep self-reflection through the balance of self-power and reliance on others.

  • Stitch by Stitch: Finding Stillness in Practice

    In her reflection, Jen shares her journey of quilting, which symbolizes her Buddhist practice. Despite being a novice, she finds courage through community support. As she sews, she learns the importance of mindfulness and stillness, paralleling her meditation experiences. Ultimately, she practices for the sake of stillness, without ulterior motives.

  • Mushin: Returning to Presence

    Zazen begins with Mu, representing openness rather than emptiness, leading to Mushin, or No-Mind. This state emphasizes awareness free from unnecessary thought, essential in both Zen Buddhism and martial arts. Practices like Tai Chi and running reveal that clarity emerges from movement and presence, not accumulation. The goal is to experience life directly without mental…