[Challenging Times] -(10)- Breath is Life - Myokaku Jane Schneider

[Jundo]

Dear All,

A beautiful reflection on breath and the Four Bodhisattva Vows. We cannot heal the world fully despite our intentions and Vows, so keep breathing. We do what we can, keep going, so keep breathing. It is a short essay worth going through slowly, taking in each phrase, as it is so rich.

Question: Are you facing some problem in life seemingly beyond solving despite your efforts, or some person you wish to help who you cannot, or some ugliness in your life or this world that seems intractable? Did any perspectives or recommendations of this essay offer new perspectives on that for you?

For those who do not yet have a copy, I have made a PDF version available here for those waiting for their ordered book, or those unable to afford or obtain the book:https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...those-who-need

Feel free to jump into the readings and discussion even if you have not read other chapters.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Tairin]

This is a nice essay. Nothing really new here but the way Myokaku phrases and paces this essay nicely reinforces her message.

Interesting that (I think) this is the first essay we’ve read in this book that doesn’t seem to draw on a first hand story.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Onkai]

This essay describes some of my experience of zazen, and invites going deeper with the Four Vows. I often have my mind on the breath and have trouble with letting go of the breath, just to watch thoughts and feelings and other inner and outer events and weather. But zazen focused on the breath does bring composure.

Gassho, Onkai
Sat lah

[ZenKen]

What a beautiful essay. I really enjoyed the idea of self-nature/Buddha-nature, and its "opposite" - Buddha-nature/self-nature. The recognition of prioritising Buddha-nature and how that can alter your approach to life, without ignoring self-nature. It was a very refreshing way of putting that teaching and I really enjoyed it.
I also found the reminder that everything can be an expression of the Four Vows very timely, and that the compassion we bring to a situation can have unseen positive effects.

Gassho
ZenKen
satlah

[Tokan]

Hey all

For me, the four vows are not about completion, but that took a while to understand with my marrow. Although we should not treat the zendo as "in there" and the rest of the world as "out there", it is true that the zendo is a good place to restore your grounding in the four vows when things are a bit shaky! Nice essay on the back of the previous chapter.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Alina]

Are you facing some problem in life seemingly beyond solving despite your efforts...? Did any perspectives or recommendations of this essay offer new perspectives on that for you?

I am, and reading this essay is a reminder that "Each moment is an awakening to new being, a deep breath in and a long breath out. We remember again to act, to experience it all, and to live one breath at a time. We are here now. That is enough."

There have been situations that were difficult by themselves, but I made them worse for myself by wanting them to resolve fast, or better yet, right now, as if I could "fast forward" through the ugly parts of life. Learning to accept that things unfold in their own time is still a work in progress for me, and the essay is reminding me to be patient, to breathe, knowing that that is enough. I'll have to read it again and again...