The Third Position: Neither Here, Nor There
The Third Position: Neither Here, Nor There It is just a matter of hitting the bell, closing the door, lighting a candle. In the past… Read More »The Third Position: Neither Here, Nor There
Someone Asked. And the Answer is: Right Understanding
Right Understanding. Let me begin with a definition of right understanding. It is a teaching of the Eightfold Path and is considered the root… Read More »Someone Asked. And the Answer is: Right Understanding
Old Age is a Boon
Remembrance of Aging The Four Boons of Aging. My hope is to pull the door open, even if it is just a crack, on what… Read More »Old Age is a Boon
Welcome Our New Member
A Single Thread, The Zen Contemplative Order of Hsu Yun Welcomes Old Heart Mountain, 老心山, Lǎo xīn shān shakya aka Arakawa Mitsugi to our Order.… Read More »Welcome Our New Member
The Arthur Sermon
Escape from Hell We named him Arthur which is a name derived from the word bear. In Medieval Latin Arthurus/Arturus, usually said to be from… Read More »The Arthur Sermon
Dogen’s 8th Awareness: Not Engaging in Vain Talk
Flee the chit chat with others, except as an act of charity. Love people very much. Talk with few. Talk with moderation. Put nothing… Read More »Dogen’s 8th Awareness: Not Engaging in Vain Talk
Being Resolute
Personal Note When I first came in contact with Ming Zhen Shakya, our late founder and my teacher, I had read this particular essay written… Read More »Being Resolute
Those Who Serve & Risk Life & Limb for Others Are Heroes
So much talk in the US about soldiers these days…bashing them, calling them “names” – misunderstanding what and why someone volunteers to serve as a… Read More »Those Who Serve & Risk Life & Limb for Others Are Heroes
The Five Remembrances: Birth. Aging. Sickness. Death. Karma.
The body and mind are of the nature to grow old. The body and mind are of the nature to get sick. The body… Read More »The Five Remembrances: Birth. Aging. Sickness. Death. Karma.
Art Pieces 1: On Death. A Painting, A Poem & A Scrap from A Letter
Death and the Maiden By Egon Schiele Egon Schiele died in 1918 of the Spanish flu at the age of 28. __________ Hiding By Sophia… Read More »Art Pieces 1: On Death. A Painting, A Poem & A Scrap from A Letter
Words for Dark Time
Words for Dark Time One of our dogs, as he grew older became afraid of lightning and thunder. Being in the living room with us… Read More »Words for Dark Time