7 point Zen

Seven Points of Practice

1. Study and practice the buddhadharma only for the sake of the buddhadharma, not for the sake of emotions or worldly ideas.

2. Zazen ( sitting meditation) is our truest and most venerable teacher.

3. Zazen must work concretely in our daily lives as the two practices (vows and repentance), the three minds (magnaminous mind, nurturing mind, and joyful mind), and as the realization of the saying , " Gaining is delusion, losing is enlightenment. "

4. Live by vow and root it deeply.

5. Realizing that development and backsliding are your responsibility alone, endeavor to practice and develop.

6. Sit silently for 10 years, then for ten years more, and then for another ten years.

7. Cooperate with one another, and aim to create a place where sincere practitioners can practice without trouble.

- Uchiyama Roshi (1975)

soul journey:Natural Disasters

The Meaning of Natural Disasters

The tsunami in Asia was a natural disaster that caused widespread loss and suffering. Before and after that there have been many natural disasters in several countries that have made hundreds of thousands of people homeless and caused hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.

The powers of nature are certainly awesome. When they are unleashed we sit up and take notice. Because of the power, and because of the destruction that often happens, we usually ask that basic philosophical question: Why? Why did this happen? What does this mean?

We always look for meaning in what occurs that is out of the ordinary because we intuitively sense that everything must have a purpose. And if it has a purpose we want to know what purpose it has for us individually as well as collectively. Applying the purpose to our own lives is what we call 'meaning.' It must mean something to us or else it has no purpose for us.

Meaning is subjective, not objective. It is an interpretation based on facts, but it is not factual. Everyone can interpret the facts for themselves and say that this is what it means to them. That is a totally valid approach.

Giving a meaning to something is interpreting it in a way that touches the soul and reveals something of the intelligence, love or power of life that motivates a person to live more in alignment with reality or truth.

Assigning meaning is making something understandable or valuable in a way that our hearts can be opened, and we can reach out to others.

Even without knowing why the tsunami occurred, people around the world opened their hearts and gave. But as so often happens, people quickly forget and hearts soon close once the media is no longer presenting the images of need to the public.

Most of the natural disasters of the past few months have had to do with water. It is interesting to interpret the symbolism of water in light of the vibration of the year 2005. The meaning we give to it may or may not satisfy the individual but it is a way of giving meaning to the events for humanity.

There is an underlying assumption that must be accepted before we can make much sense out of the acts of nature – often legally referred to as 'acts of God.'

That assumption is that we as individuals are intimately connected to humanity, and humanity is intimately connected with the natural world. So what happens in nature can be seen as having some mirroring reflection of the state of humanity. Nothing really is separate. It only appears that way to a separatist way of thinking.

Water is traditionally a symbol of emotion. When water is creating destruction, and seems to be out of control, it can represent humanity's emotions being destructive and out of control.

Emotional reaction tends to be out of order when not guided by appropriate thought. It is then uncontrolled and destructive. Emotional disturbance can only be adjusted through right thinking. Without this inner guidance, desire based on ego becomes the dominant motivation. Selfish separatism results; defensiveness increases; violence and destruction ensues.

We use the term 'natural disasters.' What does this mean? First of all, the events we refer to are natural, which means that they follow the laws of nature, the laws of cause and effect. If we do not follow universal laws we create chaos or destruction. The word 'disaster' means 'away from, or without, the stars.' The suggestion is that something occurs which is not aligned with the highest. When we act without reference to the highest – universal laws and principles, the wisdom of soul – we are not aligned, which then causes unwanted consequences.

It is very obvious that there is a great need on this planet for much better relationships, and all of us are part of the solution to fulfill that need. And we cannot do that without soul-based thinking and opening our hearts. We can let nature show us what can happen when we do not care about the consequences of our thoughts and actions. The resulting suffering is a wake-up call to all of us.

What happens in nature happens within humanity. What happens in part of the world happens in the entire world, for it is one body and we are part of it. What happens in your life happens within humanity.

Everyone suffers when some of us suffer. Everyone benefits when some of us open our hearts. We are one.

Exercises: 1. What are three things you can do now that would improve specific relationships you have? 2. What changes can you make now that would align you more harmoniously with your environment and the natural world?

(souljourney) The Path

The Path

The final of the four truths, or Facts of Life, taught by the Buddha is an outline for a way of living that will enable one to live in a 'right' way according to one's nature, in tune with Reality. The Noble Eightfold Path, as it is called, sets this out, culminating in the state of unity with the Divine Presence. This Truth is called marga, meaning the path.

The Buddhist concept of the path, called the Middle Path, is very consistent with the new spirituality that is emerging on the planet today. It is inclusive of the opposites without being controlled by one or the other. It values both the positive and the negative, the higher and the lower. This new spirituality that is seeking to manifest is a challenge to the consciousness of people who are caught either in the old religious dichotomies, or in reactions to the old style religions.

The traditional religious dichotomies describe reality in terms of right and wrong, good and evil, with specific belief systems clearly defining which is which. Those who take the opposite stance of discrediting these views maintain that there are no such objective standards, or at least not in the way they are traditionally defined.

The new spirituality avoids the judgments of the opposites and finds value in all expressions of life. The understanding is that whatever exists is part of the whole, and therefore meaningful in terms of potential learning for us humans. Much of what people see as wrong or evil is a great challenge to our selfishness and ignorance, urging us toward compassion and understanding.

It is not a matter of identifying what is wrong and trying to eradicate it, but to discover what the lessons are and learn from them. The so-called negative side of life exists as a means of teaching us what we would not otherwise be challenged to learn. If we learn what we are challenged to learn, the negative no longer needs to be present for its purpose has been served. Through our learning we are then capable of expanding our consciousness and being of greater service to others.

The middle path is the valuing of all things, all people and all experiences as a useful, and even necessary, part of the wholeness of life. If we have the idea that we need to strive to experience wholeness rather than perfection then we have a sound foundation upon which to embrace the opposites as part of that wholeness, as well as a useful pathway to experience more of that wholeness. In this way we are not inclined to de-value any experience, any person or any reality. We can then appreciate all that we are and experience as a manifestation of universal beauty, goodness and love.

If we do what is required in the first three steps of the journey, the fourth follows naturally and automatically. We will then be on the middle path, the creative path of living our dreams, joyfully embracing whatever comes along as energy for the journey.

Exercises: 1. What do you judge as wrong or evil? Try to see it from the perspective that it is serving some useful purpose. 2. What can you learn from it? 3. What is it asking you to embrace, understand or develop?

(Cos.Uplink) Energy and Presence

When you are around some people you become centred, you become calm. You say you can feel their energy. You want to stay in that energy field. With some others, you find that their energy disturbs you. You want to run away.

Energy calms; it does not excite as people imagine. The centre of energy is like the centre of a storm. There may be chaos all around but the centre is calm, undisturbed. It is the energy of the potential. It is energy that is un-dissipated.

This is the energy of a Master. This is the energy that you feel in a place of worship, in a church, in a mosque or in the presence of a Master. Your inner chatter reduces, calmness descends and you feel a sense of peace. When energy becomes kinetic, when the expression of energy becomes explicit, it is no longer peaceful and calming- it is turbulent.

When expressed without awareness it can be violent. The dance of Shiva, the tandava, can still be kinetic and rejuvenating. It is the dance of the greatest of Masters. It is a dance of awareness. It is a movement without purpose which is why it is so powerful and at once peaceful.

When energy is expressed without awareness and with ego, when energy is expressed with future wants in mind or with past experiences in mind, such energy can be disturbing and destructive. It is no longer the energy of the present moment. It is already contaminated with guilt, greed, regrets and fears. At its worst this is the kind of energy expressed by Hitler or terrorists.

When you are truly energised by the cosmos, when you are guided by the universal energy, you will be moving without expectations. You will be willing to accept whatever happens. Situations resolve themselves and solutions present themselves. No intervention is needed. Logically, this cannot happen. It can only happen when one transcends logic.

One can be open to this energy of the universe only when the ego falls, when the mind drops. By definition, this energy cannot be of any use to boosting one’s identity, be it in terms of possessions, name and fame or relationships. It happens when you detach from expectations and when you unclutch from thoughts.

It is simple to find out if you radiate energy. People around you will welcome your presence as they feel centred around you, more peaceful, unstressed and relaxed. They would want to be with you. Let them smell you and find out.