The Zen Master's Dance - 5 - Fukan Zazengi (p. 23 to p. 29)

[Jundo]

Getting a call from a client that needs something right before I am ready to log off from work for the day. I have done everything to be able to close the computer and walk away on time... it is 4:59pm... and alas, the phone rings and it is a client that needs something right away, because they waited until the last minute to take care of an issue. Frustration, annoyance, exasperation... then... breathing and becoming aware that there is nothing to do right now but to take care of their issue, to do all I can, to let the frustration go, and move forward.

rj
st

No caller no phone and no called, it is only the Universe ringing! Nothing to need, no "right before" or "right now" or "right after," no way to log off or on ... a computer that cannot be closed nor opened, nothing to walk with or walk toward or walk away ... It is 4:59pm every moment from the big bang to the end of time ... the first minute just the last ...

And yet, and yet, phone is ringing, client is demanding, need to open the computer, feeling frustration, need to get it done.

Gassho, J

STLah

[rj]

"No caller no phone and no called, it is only the Universe ringing!"

So I'm totally printing and taping this by my phone tomorrow...



rj
st

[Shokai]

And yet, and yet ... it is Autumn and there is a ton of leaves to rake.

Last year at this time Doreen told her brother Keith, in a phonec call to the facility he was placed in because of his cognitive decline, that she had been raking leaves with Richard. His first question was, "who is Richard?" and the second, "what are leaves?" This year Keith is no longer here to ask those questions. Last year those questions distressed her, this year she longs for them.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Tairin]

Last year at this time Doreen told her brother Keith, in a phonec call to the facility he was placed in because of his cognitive decline, that she had been raking leaves with Richard. His first question was, "who is Richard?" and the second, "what are leaves?" This year Keith is no longer here to ask those questions. Last year those questions distressed her, this year she longs for them.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

Moments like that help one realize that every interaction is precious.

Thank you Shokai


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Risho]

Well last week, I had to call my parents' bank to get them new debit cards re-issued; I was literally on hold for 90 minutes; on one hand it was maddenly frustrating, which I felt profusely but also I just dropped it and said this has to be done. This is just one item in a long string of these types of scenarios where I have no control and have to just drop my resistance to get stuff done: hospital administration, navigating government paperwork, etc etc etc. This is all frustrating but, simultaneously, I'm incredibly grateful that I have my parents here and that I'm able to help them; I will wait on hold for 12 hours if I have to; it's worth it to help them.

Another example is during Halloween zazenkai, there was a strange Koala-man who was talking about masks; I had to sit through the anger and, for full disclosure, I had to flip through facebook to get through it; but I did get through it. hahahah I kid

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Zenkon]

Every morning, I take our dog for a walk. I can view this as a chore, something to be accomplished as quickly as possible, something to be simply "done with", while my mind focuses on the past or the future. This way, it can be frustrating if the dog wants to dally at a favorite tree, or explore a new smell. I end the activity tense, aggravated, unaware of how I spent the time. Or, I can think "...there is nothing more to do, no other place to be" and simply mindfully accept the activity for what it is, almost zazen-like. I end the activity calm, feeling connected, peaceful. Same activity, same time commitment, very different results.

Gassho

Dick

sat/lah

[Risho]

Dick - you hit the nail on the head for me too in terms of getting frustrated. I just want my dogs to do their business, but they want to play CSI. lol Just today I hugged them and realized I was being an impatient tightwad

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Jundo]

Well last week, I had to call my parents' bank to get them new debit cards re-issued; I was literally on hold for 90 minutes; on one hand it was maddenly frustrating, which I felt profusely but also I just dropped it and said this has to be done. This is just one item in a long string of these types of scenarios where I have no control and have to just drop my resistance to get stuff done: hospital administration, navigating government paperwork, etc etc etc. This is all frustrating but, simultaneously, I'm incredibly grateful that I have my parents here and that I'm able to help them; I will wait on hold for 12 hours if I have to; it's worth it to help them.

Another example is during Halloween zazenkai, there was a strange Koala-man who was talking about masks; I had to sit through the anger and, for full disclosure, I had to flip through facebook to get through it; but I did get through it. hahahah I kid

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

No birth no death, no parent no child, the Universal Bank Account always FULL beyond debit or credit, nothing to issue nothing to rescind, nothing to hold for all is let go, 90 minutes is all time. The sound of "on the one hand" clapping is peace. We are all the strange Koala man, may we know Our True Face under all the masks and anger.

And yet, and yet ... there is birth and death, parents and children, banks and bank fees, debit and credit, being on hold. There are anoying Koala men protesting masks.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Jundo]

Every morning, I take our dog for a walk. I can view this as a chore, something to be accomplished as quickly as possible, something to be simply "done with", while my mind focuses on the past or the future. This way, it can be frustrating if the dog wants to dally at a favorite tree, or explore a new smell. I end the activity tense, aggravated, unaware of how I spent the time. Or, I can think "...there is nothing more to do, no other place to be" and simply mindfully accept the activity for what it is, almost zazen-like. I end the activity calm, feeling connected, peaceful. Same activity, same time commitment, very different results.

Gassho

Dick

sat/lah

Lovely.

No dog, no dog walker, no pee or tree to pee on, no chore.

And yet, and yet ... dogs must be walked and pee on trees. What a chore (one reason I own a cat).

Gassho, J

STLah

[Angel]

...who wants to live in a mess!

Thank you. I wanted to think about this. So, apparently I do...or did, until laughter took over.

Every morning, I take our dog for a walk. I can view this as a chore, something to be accomplished as quickly as possible, something to be simply "done with", while my mind focuses on the past or the future. This way, it can be frustrating if the dog wants to dally at a favorite tree, or explore a new smell....

I find Fall to be a very good opportunity to follow a dog's nose. The bark of trees is at it's most fragrant in the Fall. Not all trees have a scent that can be detected by the human nose, but many that do are only accessible in the Fall. You must get close - a few centimeters, or an inch or so. You might also see something wonderous you might have not noticed when you were further away.

What a chore (one reason I own a cat).

It is my understanding that people own dogs, not cats. Cats have staff.

Angel-sat

P.S. Could anyone tell me how long before the next book begins that we discover the title? My book purchases are through a company whose prices are within my budget (incl. free shipping) but it can take a few weeks to arrive. Unfortunately, this current title is out of stock and has three people on the waiting list in front of me. I ask to see if I'll have time to order and have it arrive before we begin. If not, I will know to seek out a different method. Thank you.

[Kokuu]

Could anyone tell me how long before the next book begins that we discover the title? My book purchases are through a company whose prices are within my budget (incl. free shipping) but it can take a few weeks to arrive. Unfortunately, this current title is out of stock and has three people on the waiting list in front of me. I ask to see if I'll have time to order and have it arrive before we begin. If not, I will know to seek out a different method. Thank you.

Hi Angel

It is normally a month or two in advance but Jundo may already have an idea of what is coming next and be able to share it with you earlier. If you do struggle financially with getting a book, do let us know as members can often offer to send a book as an offering.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Kokuu]

Hi all

As most of you know, I experience pain on a daily basis. There is no day that goes by without some degree of physical pain for me.

However, as Jundo describes, just because there is pain does not mean there is anything wrong with the moment, or that life is not being just as it should be. Of course, as any normal person I have many times of wishing the pain were not there and that I could live pain free, and am distracted and irritated by the constant heaviness in my muscles and dull ache all over my body instilling lethargy and lack of motivation. However, beyond that, life is just as it is, flowing and moving as it always does. There is nothing lacking and nothing to correct. Thinking like this many times in the early hours of the morning has allowed sufficient resistance to drop to get back to sleep, rather than fighting life as it is.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Jundo]

Hi Angel

It is normally a month or two in advance but Jundo may already have an idea of what is coming next and be able to share it with you earlier. If you do struggle financially with getting a book, do let us know as members can often offer to send a book as an offering.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

We will be with Zen Master's Dance at least a year I think. Not too late to jump in.

Gassho, J

stlah

ps - where is it out of stock (I will let my publisher know)?

pps - we can help with cost somehow if an economic hardship.

[Angel]

As most of you know, I experience pain on a daily basis. There is no day that goes by without some degree of physical pain for me.
However, as Jundo describes, just because there is pain does not mean there is anything wrong with the moment, or that life is not being just as it should be.

As with most life lessons I've learned, I had to repeat this one many times. It is this: On every path that life forced me down, in spite of my kicking and screaming, I found something on that path that was so valuable that I would have paid twice the price willingly - had I known it was there. Chronic pain has become a brutal, yet beloved teacher.

- where is it out of stock (I will let my publisher know)?

My go to bookseller is thriftbooks - a very economical online used bookstore. Often, the better a book, the less likely someone is to part with it.

- we can help with cost somehow if an economic hardship.

If you do struggle financially with getting a book, do let us know as members can often offer to send a book as an offering.

I am very grateful for the offer. Although I am on a small, fixed income, I do not struggle financially. My needs are minimal and always met - in part because I try to meet my wants by looking toward places like used bookstores first. The offer was a gift in itself.

Angel - sat

[Jundo]

I am very grateful for the offer. Although I am on a small, fixed income, I do not struggle financially. My needs are minimal and always met - in part because I try to meet my wants by looking toward places like used bookstores first. The offer was a gift in itself.

Angel - sat

Oh, well, then please buy the book and read it in order to participate in this group discussion.

I have a kid in college, I need the money!

(If you had real financial need that made it a hardship, I would have gotten you some copy).

Gassho, Jundo

STLah