Search found 35 matches

by JMGinPDX
Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:45 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zazen and Creativity(question)
Replies: 14
Views: 2879

Re: Zazen and Creativity(question)

If the goal of Zazen is to remove attachments in order to free yourself no. practicing Zen for several months lol https://dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=109&t=24542&p=372164#p372164 I don't see how mockery ("lol") is preferable to either encouragement or good suggested guidance, ...
by JMGinPDX
Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:49 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zazen and Creativity(question)
Replies: 14
Views: 2879

Re: Zazen and Creativity(question)

Hello all! I'm a new member here and have been practicing Zen for several months. I love Zazen and I find it enriching and a great relief from the pain and struggle of stressful life and mental illness. I have a center I practice at, but haven't had the chance to talk to a teacher there, and I've h...
by JMGinPDX
Mon Mar 02, 2020 11:55 pm
Forum: Soto
Topic: Eyes
Replies: 5
Views: 4109

Re: Eyes

I’m aware that some Buddhist traditions stress eyes closed, others eyes open, and others leave it up to you. I’m also aware that Soto Zen is in the eyes open category. Now, I don’t have an issue with this in principle, but I have very sensitive eyes, I blink excessively and my eyes itch a lot when ...
by JMGinPDX
Mon Mar 02, 2020 11:45 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: newcomer question
Replies: 5
Views: 2719

Re: newcomer question

Is it appropriate to ask this sort of question at the group? From what I can tell, the group practice involves some sitting, some chanting, a dharma talk and tea afterwards. Is tea the time to ask questions like this? (I will of course do my own reading, as has been suggested here, first). I can't ...
by JMGinPDX
Mon Mar 02, 2020 11:39 pm
Forum: Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
Topic: Apps?
Replies: 7
Views: 3456

Re: Apps?

My all time favorite podcast (I listened to them in order from the beginning and learned a bunch. They start out a little rough as she gets used to the format, but it's insightful from the beginning and such a precious gem): https://zenstudiespodcast.com/ I fully endorse Zen Studies Podcast - not o...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Feb 19, 2020 10:51 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?
Replies: 16
Views: 3568

Re: Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?

I'm sorry but I have to ask this question. Exactly what sort of jobs do you have that the boss will give you time off to meditate. As a matter of fact what sort of boss gives you time off to do anything at all. If I take time off work either my leave entitlements or my wages are docked. Not only do...
by JMGinPDX
Thu Feb 13, 2020 9:33 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?
Replies: 16
Views: 3568

Re: Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?

Caoimhghín wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:47 am
Queequeg wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 11:10 pm I suspect the relative silence is in fact a collective groan...

LOL
I certainly had a groan, but I also had a "if you can make work better, why not?" reaction.
Your groan was no louder than the one I emitted when I posted this question..... :)

Thanks for the input!
by JMGinPDX
Wed Feb 12, 2020 6:03 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?
Replies: 16
Views: 3568

Starting meditation/sitting group/class at work?

Hey all, Just wondering if anyone had any experience starting up a meditation/sitting group in a business/corporate environment in the USA, particularly with the corporate over-sensitivity to anything smacking of promoting spiritual practices. I work for a fairly progressively-minded European-based ...
by JMGinPDX
Tue Jan 21, 2020 11:50 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Looking for some Zen (Chan) lectures
Replies: 10
Views: 3184

Re: Looking for some Zen (Chan) lectures

My introduction to basic Zen concepts was through podcasts of American Zen teachers. Not exactly what you asked for, but I've found them to be extremely helpful.
Especially podcasts from the following (for me, at least):
Upaya Zen Center
No Rank Zendo
Chobo-Ji
Eiryu-Ji
Zen Mountain Monastery
by JMGinPDX
Mon Jan 20, 2020 6:41 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Any experience staying at Shunko-in at Myoshinji, Kyoto?
Replies: 0
Views: 1363

Any experience staying at Shunko-in at Myoshinji, Kyoto?

I'm headed to Japan in June 2020 with my wife and oldest child - it's going to be a typical tourist affair, a few days in Tokyo, a longer stay in Kyoto, then a few days hiking the Kumano Kodo before flying back from Osaka. I'm a fairly ardent Zen practitioner and am especially interested in getting ...
by JMGinPDX
Thu Nov 07, 2019 9:29 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Letting go
Replies: 41
Views: 8665

Re: Letting go

I don't see the phrase "letting go" as a trite, dismissive phrase when applied to the practice, even if it's overused in Western pop mindfulness culture. Here's a perspective that ties the term directly to Dogen and how zazen itself is different from "meditation" primarily throug...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:03 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: American with tattoos visiting Japanese Zen temples & monasteries, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 2339

Re: American with tattoos visiting Japanese Zen temples & monasteries, etc

Oh, and when in a Buddhist or Shinto hall, never point your legs at the shrine/Butsudan, maintain a formal attitude of respect. Thank you! I appreciate your input. I was definitely planning to mention the tattoos and take a black samue or gi with me for the Eihei-Ji visit, if they're approving, as ...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:02 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: American with tattoos visiting Japanese Zen temples & monasteries, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 2339

American with tattoos visiting Japanese Zen temples & monasteries, etc

Wondering if anyone has any insight into this... My wife and son and I are planning to visit Japan in June 2020. I am particularly interested in going to Eihei-Ji, and possibly signing up for the 1-night "sanzen" stay mentioned here: https://daihonzan-eiheiji.com/en/guide-sanzen.html In ad...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:37 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zen Practice
Replies: 14
Views: 9457

Re: Zen Practice

The concept of "practice" feels almost forced - in other words, trying to grasp by "doing". To provide a simple example, meditation (to me) seems like something one should do naturally and not in a regular forced manner unless that too would be natural. Instead, it seems to simp...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:44 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zen monastery stays for a visitor in Japan?
Replies: 8
Views: 3144

Re: Zen monastery stays for a visitor in Japan?

Thanks for the replies! I have investigated the Eihei-ji a bit more based on HePo's advice - for some reason I was thinking Fukui was further out, I think 90 minutes by JR is more than do-able for our itinerary. I do a mix of Soto and Rinzai, my main teacher and sangha are Rinzai and I'm on the koan...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:33 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: anti-"Hinayana" bias in Zen (and Mahayana in general)
Replies: 168
Views: 32654

Re: anti-"Hinayana" bias in Zen (and Mahayana in general)

Sengcan is likely not even a real person so I'm not too sure how weighty his opinion should be but going by his Xinxin Ming I doubt Theravdins or other Sravakas would have accepted his view. Otherwise they would not have been so averse to the Madhyamaka or Thathgata teachings in ancient India and n...
by JMGinPDX
Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:06 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Zen monastery stays for a visitor in Japan?
Replies: 8
Views: 3144

Zen monastery stays for a visitor in Japan?

Apologies if this is not the correct forum for this question, I humbly defer to the moderators... My wife and son and I are planning a vacation to Japan in the summer of 2020 (trying to avoid the Olympics timeframe). I would like to see if there was any way to do a 1-2 day overnight visit to practic...
by JMGinPDX
Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:35 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Satipatthana practice and Shikantaza
Replies: 21
Views: 6876

Re: Satipatthana practice and Shikantaza

Dogen is very specific concerning shikantaza, in that it's the nature of the mind, Buddha nature, and you might want to see what he wrote. So the sutta-based anapanasati and satipatanna don't have that orientation, but the actual training isn't radically different. And, to trace the subtle shift of...
by JMGinPDX
Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:32 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Satipatthana practice and Shikantaza
Replies: 21
Views: 6876

Re: Satipatthana practice and Shikantaza

Besides - if finding correlations between Theravadin and Zen practices doesn't work for you, fine. But if it does work for me, isn't that what the Buddha encouraged us to do? Practice, experience, don't take his word for it, then keep what works and discard what doesn't? it is not personal or my li...

Go to advanced search