Category: zen
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Reflections on Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright
By Michael I recently finished a book by Robert Wright entitled Why Buddhism Is True… a very daring title, I thought. The book has been out for a few years and was a New York Times bestseller, but I only encountered it recently. What I found most interesting is how Wright focuses on the philosophical side…
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Waking Up to Every Breath
By Taylor Happy Thanksgiving. I’m Taylor, and recently I volunteered to speak at our meditation group. If I’m honest, the main reason I volunteer is that I can’t stand that awkward moment when we’re all standing in a circle and no one steps forward. I just raise my hand so we can all move on.…
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Flowing Water Never Rots: Rediscovering the Beginner’s Mind
By Kaz “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.” This famous saying by Suzuki Roshi of the San Francisco Zen Center captures the true essence of maintaining a “Beginner’s Mind.” It sounds simple, but after practicing Zazen at this Zendo for almost 15 years—sitting nearly every Sunday—I’ve…
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From “Begin to Sit and Breathe” to ‘Try Something New’
By Dongmin It’s hard to believe, but it’s been an entire year since I started coming here to meditate every Sunday morning. Today I would like to share some reflections, some observations, and something new that I start trying. When I first came to practice last year, I was desperately looking for something that could…
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Paying It Forward – An Act of Kindness
By Cathy Fred and I started meditating here pretty recently. I have appreciated and learned from the sharing by many of you. Some of the shares have really resonated, and remind me to find my center, practice compassion, and develop clarity about the truly important things in life. Last month, Chloe talked about her learning…
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A Reflection on the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo
By Ewa Good morning everyone.I’d like to share a few words about the chant we recite at the beginning of our Zazen practice. When I first started coming to Zazen Kai, the chanting, honestly, made me feel a little uneasy. I could read the Chinese characters, but I didn’t fully understand what I was chanting.…
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Cherish All Beings
By Bob In the Book club Ann organized We are learning about practicing right action from the book “The eightfold path” by Jikyo Cheryl Wolfer, Dainin kataguri said “Whether weak or strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great, . . . may all beings be happy Let no one…
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Wage Peace by Judyth Hill
By Aaron Wage peace with your breath.Breathe in firemen and rubble,breathe out whole buildingsand flocks of redwing blackbirds. Breathe in terrorists and breathe out sleeping childrenand freshly mown fields.Breathe in confusion and breathe out maple trees.Breathe in the fallenand breathe out lifelong friendships intact. Wage peace with your listening:hearing sirens, pray loud.Remember your tools:flower seeds,…
Hakone Zendo 