In this ninth installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion we explore language and the variability in interpretation especially in the light of how we use English terms for ideas and may not actually understand them Wendy writes: I was thinking about the historyContinue reading “Language: Meaning, Interpretation And Impartiality | May 25, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #09”
Category Archives: zen
Bodhinaut: (Traditional) Zen For The Meme Generation
Recently got this ping from Dharma friend Kyle Shive whom I’ve enjoyed very much studying, practicing and talking deep dhamma with in real life and online: I started my Zen channel today! Like and subscribe. I’m gonna start doing a video once a day. Taking old Zen stories and giving them a little modern twist:Continue reading “Bodhinaut: (Traditional) Zen For The Meme Generation”
You Teach Me
This June 23 Insight Timer live event was described thus: A (brief) experiment where (you) the audience teach me anything you’d like. It could be from the spiritual journey, inner work, everyday life, work, play, groups, family, friends, enemies, frenemies, relationships, etc. I may fill in gaps with how to approach teachers and others forContinue reading “You Teach Me”
Form And Formless | (6/29/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything LIVE” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny draws from, and summarizes the teaching of Shifu Ji Ru to link together the Four Great Elements, Four “Mighty” Postures, Four Right Knowings, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Three (or Four) Dharma Seals, and Three Gates of Liberation.
Towards Everyday Implementation Of The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors
Dhamma and meditation teacher Beth Upton — who’s other chats I’ve posted — recently held a three part event with Dharma Gates called “Truth, Suffering and Liberation”. I’ve edited out most everything except my responses to Beth’s questions and her responses to me so please watch the full video at the end of this post especially if requiring more context.
Beth read an excerpt of the Aggañña Sutta about the origin of human kind on planet earth then linked our suffering, caused by the defilements (dramatic depicted in the sutta) to the Buddha’s antidote: the The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors (sobhanasādhāraṇa). Beth then offered a short teaching followed by a guided meditation and discussion on her condensed and more practical version of these Mental Factors from the Abhidhamma which are:
• Faith
• Mindfulness
• Non-greed
• Non-hatred
• Morality
• Balance
• Tranquility
• Lightness
• Softness
• Flexibility
• Uprightness/Authenticity/Truthfulness
• Proficiency
This post includes my responses (in an edited video) to Beth’s group-guiding questions along with a few new written responses.
Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I review the 63 consecutive weeks of online practice Denny continues to lead. The original (amended) show notes are as follows: (From Josh): (Depending on temperament and experience level, some may find this chat tedious,Continue reading “Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”
Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination”
A Confluence Zen Center study group, for six consecutive Thursday evenings starting April 8th: . . . will be reading a commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s , “Record of the Transmission of Illumination” [German-English translation in PDF from Terebess and PDF from Shastaabbey]. This is the current text that Daigaku is translating. WeContinue reading “Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination””
Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I reprise Zen, dig into Chán and primarily present Yi Jin Jing in light of its importance for linking body and mind. Show notes are as follows: (From Denny with the bulk of his notesContinue reading “Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”
Confluence Zen Center: Introduction to ZEN MEDITATION
Recently wrapped up a multi-week study with Confluence Zen Center on Instructions for the Cook (Tenzo kyôkun) by Dôgen Zenji. A classic line from the text: Wash [the dishes] so that they are completely pure and clean, placing up high those that belong in high places and putting down low those that belong in lowContinue reading “Confluence Zen Center: Introduction to ZEN MEDITATION”
(Mostly Regular/Daily) Virtual Meditation Groups
As previously stated, fortunately or unfortunately, or both, or neither, Zoom services, studies groups, retreats and shorter practice periods are part of meditation practice for folks at this time. There are benefits to both solo meditation and practicing with a group. In a way, we all basically both arrive on earth alone and leave alone,Continue reading “(Mostly Regular/Daily) Virtual Meditation Groups”
Immigrant Buddhism | (11/24/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I sum up the themes of our last two conversations on Mahayana and Theravada while adding in the 3rd Buddhist Council. We then wrap-up the developmental history of Buddhism in China, South East Asia and Tibet. Finally weContinue reading “Immigrant Buddhism | (11/24/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”
Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20
Rohatsu is Japanese for “eighth day of the twelfth month” when Japanese Zen Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Below is a dharma talk from the Jewel Mirror Sesshin with Hokyoji Zen Practice Community I partially attended in August via Zoom. Fortunately or unfortunately, or both, or neither, Zoom retreats are part of meditationContinue reading “Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20”
Integrating Presence 