Friends and family...

[Marina S]

Re: Friends and family...

I agree with Keishin. Some things are to be experienced rather than explained, especially when we're just learning. I have an acquaintance who meditates sporadically. In the past, he's often shared his experiences about his meditation sessions as though something other-worldly or magical had taken place, but these were just ideas/lingo he got from the many books he read on the subject. Things take time. It's hard to describe, but I've observed how people, for the most part, become more accepting when I "live" my spiritual path rather than talk about it.

[SunnyP]

Re: Friends and family...

Thank you Marina.

Paula

[frjames]

Re: Friends and family...

Zen practice and Christianity/Catholicism need not conflict.

My interest in Zen began when I was writing my graduate thesis on St. John of the Cross' Dark Night of the Soul and the Great Doubt of Buddhism. My thesis chair suggested that I look into Zen Buddhism. Two years after writing that thesis and newly ordained as a Catholic priest, I went in to a Zen Buddhist temple and asked the Roshi to teach me to sit. But not before I told him that I'm a Catholic priest. He quickly replied: "No contradiction between Buddhism and Catholic!" He then pointed me to the cushion and did Zazen with me--chants, incense, kyosako, the whole thing! That was over 20 years ago.

That honorable roshi was Rev. Dr. Soyu Zengaku Matsouka, one of the pioneers who brought Zen to the U.S. I believe his words still ring true today: "There is no contradiction between Buddhism and Catholic!" Such an enlightened statement is what makes Zen acceptable to those who choose to be enlightened without abandoning their own faith. (I admit, however, that is not often the case on the other side, my own Church included).

Much of the West's initial exposure to Zen was from the Jesuit missionary efforts in Japan during the 1700's. And the Jesuits continue to "expose" Zen to this very day. Many, although still committed to their Faith, have "preached" and practiced Zazen. Father William Johnston has written extensively on Zen and Christian practice. He himself has established a zendo in Tokyo to teach students at Sofia University how to sit. http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-EPT/william1.htm and http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReview ... nment.html

And before him, Father Heinrich Dumoulin. http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReview ... nment.html

And yet another is the founder Morning Star Zendo (http://kennedyzen.tripod.com/). Father Robert Kennedy, S.J., Roshi, is a Jesuit priest and Zen teacher in the White Plum lineage. He studied with Yamada Roshi in Kamakura, Japan, with Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles, and with Glassman Roshi in New York. Glassman Roshi installed Kennedy as sensei in 1991 and conferred Inka (his final seal of approval) in 1997, making him a roshi (master).

Here's a complete roundup: http://jesuskoan.blogspot.com/2008/12/buddha-sj.html

There is much that Zen can offer those who are open to it. "There are many things in Zen Buddhism in which are baffling, contradictory, and almost incomprehensible. At the same time, thinking and praying in the Buddhist tradition is encouraged and even mandated by Vatican II and by the thrust of Catholic teachings since that time." http://kennedyzen.tripod.com/retreat_drinan.htm

Deep bows to all,

Fr. James.

[disastermouse]

Re: Friends and family...

Pat Hawk Roshi in Tucson is also a Catholic priest.

Chet