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””

Wisdom Snippets: 33 synonyms for Nibbana

Thirty-three synonyms for Nibbana from Unfabricated-ConnectedAsaṅkhata Saṁyutta  (SN 43): 1. The Unconditioned2. The destruction of lust, hate, delusion3. The Uninclined4. The taintless5. The truth6. The other shore7. The subtle8. The very difficult to see9. The unaging10. The stable11. The undisintegrating12. The unmanifest13. The unproliferated14. The peaceful15. The deathless16. The sublime17. The auspicious18. The secure19. The destructionContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: 33 synonyms for Nibbana”

Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations

What’s here now when there’s no problem to solve? Wouldn’t it make sense — and be universally beneficial — to reflect and contemplate (more) on what’s really, truly important in (your) life? If yes, here’s perhaps a few: What is important? What stops me right now from complete happiness? What does this depend on? WhatContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations”

Well Rounded Meditation and Generosity | In Conversation with Beth Upton

This is a March 19th 2021 Zoom interview/conversation/teaching (experience)/chat with Ms. Beth Upton. For the video version I imagine some of this could appear awkward especially for the audience. While I seem to handle awkwardness with indifference, Beth graces with gentle and pleasant speech. From BethUpton.com: I have been teaching meditation since 2014, and theContinue reading “Well Rounded Meditation and Generosity | In Conversation with Beth Upton”

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 1

This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet

There’s 22 (groups of) questions. Here’s two:

Can merit be hijacked (and held ransom/hostage)?

Can too much emphasis on emptiness lead away from more life preserving and/or life promoting choices?

Corona-19, Hypertension And Qi | (2/23/2021 — “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 address present day popular topics of interest related to, and expanding upon, last month’s AUA on Qigong and Daoyin. First and foremost, as our presentation states, this is not medical advice. We share informationContinue reading “Corona-19, Hypertension And Qi | (2/23/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”

Gender (Confusion?)

Why and how has the topic of gender become so prevalent, pervasive and taken such precedence — appearing on forms, social media bios, etc., often with no opt-out, or room for comment — seemingly overnight, perhaps in a manner similar to The Corona? What are the origins, and who are the major supporters of thisContinue reading “Gender (Confusion?)”

Is Reading This Blog Post Worth $10,000 An Hour?

Is this life activity, what ever it may be, worth $10,000 an hour? This seemingly outlandish question — at least at first anyway — came across my ears recently from a podcast with a former college who recommends continually asking this question. While our paths have mostly diverted — in very valid and beneficial waysContinue reading “Is Reading This Blog Post Worth $10,000 An Hour?”

Wisdom Snippets: Truth

Shortcut to this blog post: https://tinyurl.com/truthsnippets Definition of veracity noun — ve·​rac·​i·​ty | \ və-ˈra-sə-tē 1 : conformity with truth or fact : accuracy 2 : devotion to the truth : truthfulness 3 : power of conveying or perceiving truth 4 : something true makes lies sound like veracities Truth. Solipsism? 2 + 2 =Continue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Truth”

Qigong and Daoyin | (1/26/2021 — “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 gives an in-depth presentation on Qi, Qigong and Daoyin (with presentation slides above) including the following mentions: Don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreementContinue reading “Qigong and Daoyin | (1/26/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”