Category: zen
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Calm Your Mind: Embrace Inner Clarity
Shared by Kaz. Our mind is like a pond. Beneath the calm surface, dirt settles at the bottom. However, when the water is disturbed—when our mind is agitated —the pond becomes muddy and unclear. Life offers countless things that can upset us. At work, perhaps it’s a demanding boss, a challenging coworker, or a difficult…
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Exploring Motive: A Path to a Happier Life
Shared by Heidi Lately, I’ve been pondering the concept of motive and how it shapes our lives. As I’ve incorporated daily meditation into my routine, I’ve noticed myself becoming less reactive. However, I still find myself responding to life’s challenges in ways that aren’t always ideal. It’s a fact of life that we can’t control…
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Wabi Sabi—A Brief Description
Shared by Sue Anawalt Wabi Sabi is a Japanese concept considered to have arisen out of Zen Buddhism and is most often associated with the Japanese Tea Ceremony. It is pertinent here to insert a famous zen saying regarding my expertise on wabi sabi. “He who does not say knows.” and “He who says does…
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Zazen: What to Keep in Mind 坐禅心得 (zazen kokoroe)
Shared by Kaz In 2012, Rev. Ito provided guidance to students on how they should prepare for zazen practice at our zendo. This guidance, titled “Rinzai Hakone Zendo Zazen Kokoroe,” outlines the essential principles and practices. I have included additional explanations to enhance understanding. 礼儀作法 (reigi saho) Etiquette and Courtesy. Students are expected to show…
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Mindfulness on the Go – Using the Non-dominant hand
Shared by Lakshmi As I was driving up here today I was stopped in my tracks by a family of deer blissfully crossing my path. I felt that given the topic I had chosen for the day, the situation was demanding I embrace a beginner’s mind. I wanted to follow up on a discussion we…
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Growth Mindset
Shared by Susan A world-renowned Stanford University psychologist, Dr. Carol Dweck, has done a great deal of research on achievement and success. She speaks about the power of mindset, specifically a growth mindset. I am just starting to learn about her research but this is what I’ve started to understand. The growth mindset is about…
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Back to the Present: My Journey to Meditation
Shared by Grande Photo by our friend Sue from Seattle Speaking after our sitting today, I thought how wonderful it would be to meditate before a work presentation or a speech! Although it might seem unusual to your work colleagues to sit silently together before a presentation. The title of my share today is “Back…
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Don’t Forget Your Beginner’s Mind
Shared by Kaz In Japan, we often hear the phrase “初心忘るべからず” (Shoshin wasuru bekarazu), which means “Don’t forget your beginner’s mind.” This reminder from parents and teachers emphasizes the importance of maintaining a beginner’s mindset throughout life. What is the Beginner’s Mind? The concept of the beginner’s mind, popularized by Suzuki Roshi in his book…
Hakone Zendo 