ZenLife Blog
What is to Give Light Must Endure Burning
“What is to endure light must endure burning”
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) Austrian neurologist, pychologist, philosopher, and Dachau survivor
I’ve heard August called the dog days of summer. This could mean that it’s so hot, all you want to do is lie around like a dog. It could also mean that you’re up against something hard, a challenge, something scary that you’d rather not deal with at the moment, if at all and that you’re lying around like a couch potato.
When this happens there are two major options for you. There are more of course but they fall into these two big categories.
“Teachings of the Great Mountain” Zen Talks by Taizan Maezumi Roshi
Originally published in 2001, this has been out-of-print for many years, so we are grateful that Zen River has recently republished these intimate, clear teachings of Taizan Maezumi Roshi.
In Preface to this new edition, Tenkei Coppens, who edited these talks, writes: “We are very happy to present a new edition of Teaching of the Great Mountain, Zen Talks by Taizan Maezumi, a book published in 2001 by Tuttle Publishing which has been out of print for a long time.
As time passes, the value and relevance of Maezumi Roshi’s teaching only seems to increase. In this rapidly changing world it is such a relief to find a clear articulation of authentic Buddhist practice that connects us with masters and students from across the ages.
Michael Shikan Brunner Dharma Transmission Rescinded
On April 15, 2024, I rescinded Michael Brunner’s Dharma Transmission (Shiho). He no longer has my permission or blessing to function as an empowered Zen teacher (Denbo) or an empowered Zen priest (Denkai).
Shortly after receiving Dharma transmission from me on Sept. 3, 2022, Michael left our Zen Center and went to focus on developing the One River Zen Center in Ottawa which he and his partner Vanessa Roddam co-founded together.
On March 20, 2024 it came to my attention that he had behaved inappropriately with a student in a way that was ethically egregious and a serious boundary violation. Since he was not open to working in a transparent way with those around him, I rescinded his Dharma Transmission and cut all formal ties with him.
Four Seasons Capital Campaign
As we embrace the arrival of spring and the spirit of renewal, we are thrilled to announce the kickoff of our Four Seasons Capital Campaign. Our goal is to raise $45,000 to enhance our facility and address critical infrastructure needs. The heartwarming news is that our dedicated board members and dear friends have already contributed an incredible 60% towards our target! Their generosity has set a strong foundation for success.
Roots
From the still silence of a single, small seed, come plants, trees, humans, and animals. From a plant seed first comes a tap root, reaching down into the cool dark earth. Here the root gathers water and nutrients to sustain the plants growth upwards towards the sun. The leaves of the plant in return help strengthen the roots to grow further. Did you know that the roots of a cereal rye plant grow 3 miles of roots a day in good soil? In a single season it grows 387 miles of roots and 6,603 miles of root hairs. For a stationary creature, it sure gets around!
The Conversation Doesn’t Take Place
There is a famous koan in our Zen tradition about Bodhidharma meeting Emperor Wu. This strange fellow from India blows in on a large Dharmakaya wind and presents himself at court. He must have cut an odd figure in his ragged robes and sandals amidst the formality and finery of the Emperor’s palace.
First Noble Truth
The first teaching Buddha gave after his enlightenment was the four noble truths. He gave a new meaning to the word “noble”. Until that point this word had been used to describe the upper-caste Brahmins in India’s caste system. So Buddha was suggesting someone was noble, not because of their social standing, but because they could open to the truth of suffering. He was suggesting that nobility came from within your own broken heart.
Shambhala Warrior Prophecy
“There comes a time when all life on Earth is in danger. At that time great powers have arisen, barbarian powers, and although they waste their wealth in preparations to annihilate each other, they have much in common. Among the things these barbarians have in common are weapons of unfathomable devastation and death and technologies that lay waste to the world. And it is just at this point in our history, when the future of all beings seems to hang by the frailest of threads, that the kingdom of shambhala emerges. Now, you can’t go there because it is not a place. It exists in the hearts and minds of the shambhala warriors….
Congratulations to Genshin and Ungo
Congratulations to Jacquelyn Genshin Weiner-O’Shea and Patrick Ungo O’Shea on their Jukai ceremony, on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago. Genshin means “Source of Truth” and Ungo means “Cloud Abode”. It was such a wonderful and joyous occasion to have these two dedicated practitioners take these Bodhisattva vows together in this rich Jukai ceremony.
Five Wisdom Mandala
The Five Wisdom Energies, are meant to be worked with directly and experientially. Each has a wisdom quality. Each also has an encumbered emotion that is associated with it. It’s important to appreciate that because these arise in a mandala the emotion and the wisdom are not separate. Neurosis and sanity, samsara and nirvana are not separate things. These teachings help us realize that the very negativity we are trying so hard to get rid of is actually the fertilizer of our brilliance and clarity. The thing we think we need to get rid of is the very thing we need to wake up.
Memorial Day Service At Montrose Cemetery
June Roshi and I attended a Memorial Day Service at Montrose Cemetery today, honoring Japanese-American veterans who have fought and died in many wars defending freedom in America. The history and treatment of Japanese American citizens during WWII is a disgraceful one, we should never forget. Approximately 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry, the majority of whom were American citizens, were forcibly removed from their homes.
Samu – the Heart of Zen
Samu is like a wild strawberry because it is given freely and, like a gift, it establishes a relationship between yourself and others in the community who are working alongside you. It feels good to work together. And it feels good to give generously of our time and energy in this way. It brings heart into our relationships and into our sangha community.
After Awakening
This is the crux of the whole Genjokoan. He’s saying that when you look at your reflection in water, there’s a tipping point: either the water’s transparent or it’s murky and reflective like a mirror. It doesn’t gradually become a mirror. It’s either a mirror or it isn’t. Dogen is using this as a metaphor: when you drop off the body-mind, when you forget the self, you become a mirror that reflects the dharma.
Dragon of Inscrutability – Part 4 of Four–Series
Inscrutability is an expression of confidence. You are settled within your experience so you have no hesitation or fear. You can be noncommittal, yet follow through. You don't have to spell everything out because you can be with uncertainty. Truth arises from the situation. You don't need any confirmation so you also don't have to be the center of attention. You are not in any great rush, so you can begin with the basics. You are not calculating according to some idea of gain or loss. You work with the situation, bearing witness to whatever arises, and doing so with sympathy and compassion for those around you. This unconditional confidence comes from giving and extending yourself and overcoming timidity.
Garuda of Outrageousness – Part 3 of Four-Part Series
The warrior of outrageous is free from negative emotions so she is able to face whatever arises skillfully and fearlessly. This kind of confidence operates on an even-keel. This kind of equanimity is free from picking and choosing and treats everyone with respect and care. The warrior trusts in the basic goodness of human beings which is unconditional and free of dualistic polarizations. As a result her actions are skillful and in proportion to whatever context she finds herself.
Snow Lion of Perkiness (Part 2 of Four–Part Series
This metaphor of the snow lion represents joyful discipline. You might have negative associations with discipline, remembering times you were forced to stay indoors and practice a musical instrument or do homework when all your neighborhood friends were playing outside. When discipline is imposed like this from the outside, it can seem suffocating. But here we are speaking of discipline that arises organically from within yourself.
An Appropriate Response – The Four Dignities
In the Buddhist tradition, the path of the Bodhisattva is well laid out. In the Shambhala teachings Chogyam Trungpa spoke of this as the path of a spiritual warrior. Part of this practice uses four metaphors known as the Four Dignities. These are the Tiger of Meekness, the Snow Lion of Perkiness, the Garuda of Outrageousness and the Dragon of Inscrutability. These four metaphors can help guide us in discerning an appropriate response.
ZLMC Statement About Racism
We at the Zen Life & Meditation Center, Chicago mourn the murder of George Floyd and stand with the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many more people of color who have lost their lives at the hands of white violence.
The Fruits of Your Generosity Come Due
Our New Home Fund Campaign will conclude at the end of this month, April 2019. So now it’s time to say thank you. Thank you to the hundreds of you who supported us with your generous gifts and your kind support. Thank you to all of you who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this dream a reality. Thank you to the artists who generously donated your art so that we can now enjoy the beauty of our Sangha together in this new home.
Great Zen Teacher, Roshi Bernie Glassman has Died
Great American Zen teacher Bernie Glassman died on Sunday, November 4th. He is survived by his wife, Roshi Eve Marko, 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Sadness filled my core when I heard the news that day and has lingered since then. Some people are just not supposed to die.