Category: zen
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Sesshin
By Ann Meido A time of contrasts, similar to the picture of the hills around St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista that accompany these words where I spent last weekend.Sesshin: a time of touching or collecting the heart-mind during a period of intensive meditation. To look closely at the photograph, one sees trees,…
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Intention & Expectation
In December, we usually start using heaters with windows closed. Today, we sat with windows open, no heaters. We could see our breath when we talked. Surprisingly, we all enjoyed it and decided to continue sitting with windows open as long as possible. Sue talked about intention & expectation, and we discussed our intention and…
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Why do you meditate?
We had an open discussion about why we meditate. a positive connection to the outside world, quieting the mind, being more present and mindful… What is your reason?
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inmost
When we sit, we call it inmost – let inmost nature in itself, or activity – This is – we call self-use of inmost nature – let it work. You don’t do anything, but let our true nature work by itself. This is Zen practice. -Ann Meido- Also, Ann shared FUKANZAZENGI OF EIHEI DŌGEN. You…
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Why we were told not to step on the edge of tatami mat
So you were told not to step on the edge of tatami mat at our zendo and wondering why. Rev Ito told me that because the edge was more expensive to repair. I researched a bit more to find out the reasons why people were told not to step on the edge of the tatami…
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Compassion
Before we meditate, we chant ENMEI JUKKU KANNON GYO (延命十句觀音經) Kannon Goddess is know as Lord of compassion. You can read more about it here. Here is the chant.
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Gratitude
We discussed what we are thankful for. What are you thankful for? Sue shared a poem “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver” Who made the world?Who made the swan, and the black bear?Who made the grasshopper?This grasshopper, I mean–the one who has flung herself out of the grass,the one who is eating sugar out of…
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Mind is like a pond
I participated in Rinzai’s online zazen-kai with my son, which priest Yokoyama led from Tokoji in Shizuoka, Japan. His story resonated with us, so I shared it during our zazen-kai at Hakone Gardens. He told us a famous story. One day, a young man asked a monk, ” I can’t sleep well as I am worried and…
Hakone Zendo 