Personal Practice

[Koushu]

Since joining Treeleaf Zendo many interesting thing have started to happen, for one the previous Zen Sangha I was attending has moved to a better place to accommodate our practice on a daily basis, I got fired from one job to get hired by another job in which I have come to find satisfying and teaches me a lot about my path in Zen in terms of seeking that fresh cool water under the unknown layer of Earth's strata. Over the last few week the Sangha I attend here in my town has asked me to join in their discussions on how to move the Sangha forward. It has caused some confusion as my first and only experience with Soto-Shu was in Japan and formal training, here it is more lose and the way for me to set forth on my hope to priesthood has harden my resolve but I see my practice somewhere between Traditional Japanese style and a little western style but the path I feel is block in the way that the Sangha I am connected with here is under the umbrella of the San Francisco Zen Center which means I would have to take time, at least the same as our's here at Treeleaf of three months to travel to the Center to take formal training in which case I would or have been told I would have to conform to their style. At least for my daily practice I commit to Zazen between my part-time job and my full-time job and after work, reciting of the precepts and Heart Sutra (in Japanese) and on my weekends I am committed transcribing the Heart Sutra (in Japanese) and at least one hour of what I call Yama Kihin (Mountain Walking Meditation) which includes both recitation and Zazen. I was told that this last practice is not cohesive with the San Francisco Zen Center for priest training. I had explained that it is my personal practice, but still felt it was not acceptable.

Jundo; what are your thoughts on my practice? For me it is something that empowers (gives me vitality) in my practice of Soto-shu, as I have experienced many times in Japan hiking in the lonely mountains and coming across small hidden meditation halls.

I would also like to thank Shingen for our talks when I first joined Treeleaf and helping have the courage to follow my path into Soto-shu.

I would accept any other comments.

Gassho
Sugiyama Yuuki (James Kavajecz)

[Jundo]

Hi Sugiyama,

I always say that every Sangha and Teacher is what it is ... when in Rome, sit as the Romans sit. No place is perfect, let alone perfectly what we dream it should be ... and that is a GOOD thing in the Zen world, because this is a Practice beyond and dancing perfection and imperfections, person judgments and demands. Actually, our monthly Zazenkai talk was pretty much about that this month ... Please have a listen (it is in the middle here somewhere) ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14647-August-12th-13th-2016-OUR-MONTHLY-4-hour-ZAZENKAI%21

So, when in their house, you must sit that way.

Here at Treeleaf, so long as folks are sitting in the manner of Shikantaza once each day on the cushion ... beyond time and measure ... and are kind to each other, and our doing as they can to live gently ... and are trying to take Shikantaza and the Precepts out into life too ...

... then I am not too concerned about what other Practices folks engage in. We even have some Christien Zennies, some Amida Zennies, some this or that or the other thing Zennies, and the like around here too, as well as folks who combine their Zen Practice with everything from being a Parent to being a law enforcement officer or doctor to being a martial artist ...

That is just the flavor of this house.

And of course, I expect priest novices around here to master and embody and learn about many of our Traditions and Doctrines, History and Ways to keep the flame going. So, that is a bit special to people who want to be Priests, and I understand and support the San Francisco folks in trying to do that in their way too. I am glad that they are keeping many such Traditions and strict ways alive, for those traditions might be lost if all places were like Treeleaf. Part of being a Zen priest is learning to give up what "you want" and your likes and dislikes, and replacing that with the House Flavor and the greater good (as seen in that House). I spoke about that recently as well.

SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Who Is a Priest ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?14568-SIT-A-LONG-with-JUNDO-Who-Is-a-Priest

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Kyonin]

Thank you for this reminder, Jundo.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Ongen]

[emoji120]

[Mp]

Thank you Jundo and Sugiyama,

I can't for the life of me remember where I heard this (as I was scrambling through my notes) ... here goes, =)

"When in the ocean, be the ocean. When in the mountains, be the mountains."

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Koushu]

Thank you Jundo, I have found clarity through the confusion. I know it to be one of my faults to sometimes see things in a rigid fashion, non the less I hope to travel this path with a more understanding mind.

Gassho

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[Myosha]

"When in the ocean, be the ocean. When in the mountains, be the mountains."

Hello,

Similar to, in a completely different way: Bruce Lee

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

[Mp]

"When in the ocean, be the ocean. When in the mountains, be the mountains."

Hello,

Similar to, in a completely different way: Bruce Lee

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

I like it, thank you! =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Meian]

I've been listening to the TL podcasts sometimes, really enjoying it. And while I come from a different faith tradition (as I've mentioned before), I've come to personally claim TreeLeaf as my Home in my own way. It "fits" me and not always comfortably, and that's good. It challenges me as well, very often.

Gassho,
Kim
Sat today

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[Meian]

"When in the ocean, be the ocean. When in the mountains, be the mountains."

Hello,

Similar to, in a completely different way: Bruce Lee

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

Myosha, really like these quotes. Thank you.

Gassho
Kim
S/t

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[Koushu]

I too consider Treeleaf as my home, my other practice or sangha I attend is more of a support have. Thank you again Jundo.

Gassho

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