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Demons in the Garden, Weeds in the Mind

“Demon” is an old word, an ancient idea conjuring up images of devils and other fiercely intimidating embodiments of the forces of evil. Perhaps you, like I, instinctively recognize your own demonic nature. We all have within us the capacity to think speak and act in ways that are harmful. What we do with these demons, our demons, is a central project of the spiritual path.

The Knitting Lesson

Complete concentration is required in order to stay with the instructions…When I lose track, float off into thought, I often don’t discover the harm until the end

Spring Forward

Vows by Fly 2019   This week has been particularly difficult. The daemons of the mind sometimes take us by surprise – trouncing our good sense and our eyesight that sees the danger always creeping… Spring Forward

LESSONS. Lesson 5 B. The Second Rank to End Suffering

Fashi Lao Yue asks us to look at the Second Rank of Zen as another step in ending our misery. It begins with a quote and ends with a chant – it resounds the two teachings of Zen. Begin and continue – don’t give up. The Dharma Gates are gateless and ever-present – ready for everyone to enter.

LESSONS. Lesson 5. Part A. The End of Suffering

The first rank in zen is to see the relative in the absolute – we call it change. When things are going the way we want – we can see change as the relative in the absolute. But anytime all h*ll breaks loose in our life – when things don’t go our way – we go wild with suffering. BUT – Buddha tells us there is an end to suffering – You may ask – where is it? And how do I find it? Fashi Lao Yue suggests you take a look here.

LESSONS: Lesson 4 – The Causes of Suffering

We are inseparable from the Truth and yet we seem to be fumbling around in something unreal and not true. We seem to get caught in our ignorance (stupidity), in scattered distractions and in our self-interest. Each one of these traps keeps us from knowing that we, you and me, are the Dharma – the Truth. Do you know what keeps you trapped? Fashi Lao Yue offers some help.

Detachment and McCormack’s “Selling Heaven” by Ming Zhen Shakya

What is true is Real. The Real World is defined as that which is unconditional, universal, immutable, and eternal. Eternal is to be outside of time; and this can occur only in the “ego-absent” immediate moment. Our dear Ming Zhen is worth reading again and again – since we tend towards block-headedness – a follow-up post comes next on the Noble Truth of Suffering.

Lesson 3 – Part B  The Realization of Suffering is the Beginning of Wisdom

The basics of practice are protections – protecting ourselves from doing harm to ourselves and protections for others by not doing harm to them. Many of us see ourselves as OLD HANDS at this business of spiritual work – but in reality all that has happened is we have gotten comfortable and secure in the world of material stuff – maybe even smug? We forget what choices we follow – in this essay, we are asked to re-examine our choices – and our sincerity. It, hopefully, challenges us to return to the Dharma with awareness and our full attention.