Simone Weil

"Simone Weil" number 72 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I had never heard of Simone Weil before Aitken Roshi mentioned her.  Ms. Weil was quite a social and political activist, ultimately dying in an expression of her convictions. She was a writer/activist who "knew about the value of folk stories as purveyors of truth."  Reading this miniature, I sense Aitken Roshi's affinity toward her and I can see how his practice parallels her's.

In each of our lives there are many unknown characters. These characters and their activities manifest Indra's Net. While we are interconnected in this way, it is still of value for a Zen student to explore, on a more relative level, some of these characters. We are often not aware of those who's activities shape us.  Sometimes we underestimate or overestimate how much we reflect those who have influenced us.

Any teacher of my teacher's teacher is a teacher of mine. No? 


Peppler, Gradizar, Hooper, Johnson - these men and their activities shape who I've become and contiune to work on me. These men will never know how their activities have panned out. Just as I will not know how my activities will pan out.


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

No Almighty God

"No Almighty God" number 71 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The shift of Buddhism from the rich Indian views of a spiritual dimension to the down-to-earth Chinese attitude is fundamental, and modern students of Zen in the Western hemisphere must thus unlearn the notion that realization relates solely to something unworldly.
-Robert Aitken



Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.



Study Practice

"Study Practice" number 70 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Zen practice starts with zazen. No matter what we think or expect, zazen works us, lives us. Slowly, without our knowledge, we develop a spirit of concentration and presence. This spirit or what I like to call 'sense tone' becomes stronger not only while in classical zazen but also during our kinhin or walking meditation practice. This walking becomes infused with this same sense tone.

Taizan Maezumi said, "Kinhin is simply another way to do zazen."

My practice started to move when this occurred. At one recent sesshin I was just walking kinhin, around and around, following the person in front of me, hoping my sore legs would loosen up and suddenly I noticed I had been in deep concentration exactly like when I had been when sitting zazen. Realize that there is no 'purpose' to Zazen or kinhin, yet kinhin is an extension of zazen. Muster all the same energy and focus for your kinhin as you do for your zazen. Why wasn't this explained to me and emphazied when I was as a beginner. This is a downfall of my particular sangha or my own lack of inquisitiveness.

This "life as an extension of zazen" can at first be easily practiced in the quite and supportive environment of sesshin. Sitting, advances to walking which advances to sutra recital which turn to the opportunity to have 'eating practice'. Each step advancing and building.

Then comes work practice. Here we must actually communicate and interact with others. To do this with that same 'sense feeling' or the equanimity of zazen is hard. So easy for the mind to buck and run like a wild horse. But such is practice. Notice where you are, ask who is present, watch mind make mind-world and come back to practice. Let all that be as it is. Use what ever upaya available to drop into your zazen whether that is counting your breath, asking 'who hears', mindfully naming your experience or just being present to whatever is arising.

This has been a too long introduction to today's miniature. Study Practice.

Study practice fits right in with sitting practice, walking practice, sutra recitation, eating practice, work practice and study practice. Now I see that study practice is zazen extended. Approach study practice with the same energy and commitment as a sitting practice.

Early in my practice I only read modern Zen texts. Stuff like Three Pillers of Zen, Beginner's Mind, Alan Watts, Thich Nhat Hahn and Joko Beck. There is nothing wrong with these authors. They can help us frame the Buddhism and our practice into our Western culture. Yet something happens when we look directly at the classical texts and wiggle around the those antient words. There is a place for both 'pop-culture' Zen texts like Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master and also 'classical' Zen texts like Shodoka: Song of Freedom. I'm leaning towards classical Zen with modern commentary.

Right here I vow to "step up my game" and extend my zazen into my study.

Pico Iyer wrote a sweet article on simplicity that carries the sense of equanimity in just being present. Recommended.
The Joy of Less - Happy Days Blog - NYTimes.com


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

Yaza

"Yaza" number 69 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today, it is  back to work after a three day silent Zen Mediation retreat with my friends from the Spokane Zen Center. Retreats have a different flavor from a sesshin. I prefer the atmosphere of a full on serious sesshin. Some of the retreats I've been on have been a bit too casual with more talking and distracting activities that necessary.

...I was going to say something here that was now to kind about my experience at the end of the retreat but instead, I'll self edit and spare everyone that mess. One powerful experience I had on retreat was the sense that the whole sitting, walking, surta reciting, eating and work practice cycle was completely and utterly routine. If felt so natural. Like there was nothing else to do nor had I been doing anything else my whole life. This was utterly not special and as ordinary as ordinary can be.

Yaza is 'extra' sitting usually done at night or very very early in the morning. This was the first retreat that yaza was not encouraged. Not that it was discouraged, it was just not spoken about. We all must be getting old.

This has been too self reflective. No one is at all interest in what I think. That includes me. So why do it? Let's see what tomorrow brings.


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

Important work

"Important work" number 68 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

As Zen practitioners, "what important work we are doing." Each morning I get up and sit. At first there were days I did not want to sit. I'd sit anyway. Lately this routine of daily sitting has become so warm and friendly that I'd rather miss breakfast and a shower to make time to sit.

Sometimes lately, I've had the thought that maybe I should cut short my 25 minutes of sitting. I feel the urge to get up and check the bird feeder or just get a head start on my day. When that thought arises, I remember 'what important work I'm doing'. My actions are the ground on which I stand, they are my only true belongings.

Recently I listened to a inspiring audio talk by Genjo Marinello on Case 87 of Hekiganroku. The case involves Zen Master Ummon about how medicine and sickness cure each other. In it at the 6:45 mark suddenly Genjo starts admonishing the Jikijitsu for ending the meditation period too soon. He then points out that the clapping blocks used to start a meditation period were not placed correctly. "Little things become big things if left unattended to." This is the important work of a practitioner. Notice and act appropriately in the moment. This is definitely my experience.


I am off on a short retreat with my friends from the Spokane Zen Community. I'll be back Monday morning to continue the exploration of Miniatures of a Zen Master. Up next is Yaza or "Night Sitting". This has always hooked me at sesshin or on retreat as I am attached to my sleep rhythm.


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

A World Religion

"A World Religion" number 67 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Senzaki Sensei said "Zazen is not for everyone." Yes, indeed, I can see that. It is the Zen style to be quiet and not proselytize. This seems at first counter to the vow to save all the beings. But embedded with to save all beings is the reassurance that there is no need to hurry or rush. There is plenty of time.

I really like Shinzen Young's take on all practitioners being subtle teachers. He talked about it in one of the videos I posted a couple of days ago. Just by practicing and slowly soaking up the teachings, each of us becomes an example. People around us notice the small and not so small changes in us. This naturally encourages curiosity. Like bees to flowers. The trap is sprung!


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

Ailments of Old Age

"Ailments of Old Age" number 66 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Current conditions are the result of past actions. Thich Nhat Hanh said "This is like this because that is like that." Aitken Roshi says that "the problem with this truism is that usually by the time it rings true, it's too late."

This motivates me to take care in the now. Not always of course, but more and more. 


Any error or confusion created by my commentary on Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.