The great Indian teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj once said, "Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. Between the two my life flows." "I am nothing" does not mean that there is a bleak wasteland within. It does mean that with awareness we open to a clear, unimpeded space, without center or periphery - nothing separate. If we are nothing, there is nothing at all to serve as a barrier to our boundless expression of love. Being nothing in this way, we are also, inevitably, everything. "Everything" does not mean self-aggrandizement, but a decisive recognition of interconnection; we are not separate. Both the clear, open space of "nothing" and the interconnectedness of "everything" awaken us to our true nature. This is the truth we contact when we meditate, a sense of unity beyond suffering. It is always present; we merely need to be able to access it.

~ Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness

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Yesterday I was a guest, as a member of the Chaplaincy team at Northumbria University, at the Congregation at which Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate. As Buddhist Chaplain at Newcastle University, I was a member of the academic procession at two Congregations last week, at one of which Rachel Abel, Amida-shu member, received her degree. This was the first time that Buddhist robes have been worn in the academic procession at the University.

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sometimes ...

we have ...

to die ...

a little ...

before ...

we anew ...

are born ...

again.

"phases of change"

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Statement from Abbot Ryushin Paul Haller on the Fire at Tassajara   Written by Abbot Ryushin Paul Haller    photo by Renshin Bunce As the forest fire encroaches into Tassajara valley, a new reality appears: danger is nearby and our hopes and fears rise up accordingly. Of course the safety and well-being of our staff and co-abbot who remained behind are our first concern and we'll do everything to ensure their safety. Through them and their actions, our wish for the well-being of Tassajara is expressed and in return we are making every effort we can to support them. This is a tangible expression of our vow to practice with and for the sake of all beings. And we know and deeply appreciate the support of the countless practitioners who have joined us in this heartfelt vow. Even though we have prepared as thoroughly as we could for this fire, we can't know what the outcome will be. All things are impermanent. Buildings, trees, even mountains and rivers are subject to change. Whatever happens, we will continue to start the day with zazen, service and then congregate at the work circle, as we have done for the past forty years.  Each morning we renew our vow to meet the request of this day, not just to promote the well-being of Tassajara, but to contribute to the well-being of the Los Padres National Forest, Big Sur, Esalen Institute, all the people and forest affected by fire in the US and all beings suffering hardships everywhere. May we all continually receive the benevolence of practice and realize the Buddha Way. Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )   Letter from Zen Center President   Written by Robert Thomas, President    Photo by Shundo Haye On behalf of all of us in the Zen Center sangha I would like to thank everyone who has so kindly sent in letters, cards and emails wishing for the safety and well-being of the community and Tassajara in particular. We deeply appreciate your support at this time of danger and uncertainty. I do not over-dramatize things by saying that the situation with the fires threatening Tassajara has the potential to be devastating for Zen Center. I also hope that everyone knows that at this very moment we are doing everything we can to save Tassajara and support those who have stayed there. This is now our practice. Yesterday, with the hot weather and warm winds, the fire danger became much more serious. Last night the majority of people at Tassajara evacuated and five people chose to stay behind and protect Tassajara. They are Co-Abbot Steve Stucky, Tassajara Director David Zimmerman, Mako Voelkel, Graham Ross and Colin Gipson. All are Zen Center priests and among the most senior residents of Tassajara. Their primary emphasis right now is trying keep the buildings wet while at the same time avoiding all unnecessary risk and exercising utmost safety and care. We all feel that at the present time, with the road compromised by fire, that Tassajara is the safest place for these five people to be. Many sangha-e! readers may remember that in both 1999 and 1977, the last two times that forest fires threatened Tassajara, we had crews stay and work alongside the firefighters to defend the structures. We are still hoping that the forest service will be able to protect the road access and send firefighters in to protect Tassajara.    Over the last few days, I have been repeatedly encouraged by the many people who have  told me stories of being at Tassajara during previous forest fires. Those conversations almost always end with a “we can do it!” and a hug, and sometimes a tear. It is this love for Tassajara and a deep connection to the practice that will carry us through, moment by moment, no matter what happens.  On other fronts, we continue to do our best to support the evacuated Zen students who now find themselves at City Center or Green Gulch or with friends and family in the area. Our reservations office is working overtime trying to relocate the cancelled workshops to Green Gulch Farm as well as other possible venues, a time-consuming process which requires working intimately with hundreds of guests and workshop leaders. We thank the wonderful folks at Mayacamas Ranch who have stepped forward to offer their generous support in this effort. While the future of Tassajara and the impact on Zen Center is unknown at this hour, I am confident that all of us, each in our own way, each from our own place, will do whatever we can to save Tassajara and sustain the Zen Center to survive this crisis. As of today we have not decided to cancel the entire summer guest season, but with each day the possibility increases. Please use our website to stay in touch with the situation as it evolves. Lastly, a number of people have generously sent in donations or have declined to receive the return of their guest stay deposits. To all of you, we extend our sincere gratitude and deep bows. To the many others who have long appreciated the beneficial healing and spiritual power of Tassajara, we hope that you will hold the soothing water, the large rocks, the trees and grasses and ducks and lizards and birds and snakes and people of Tassajara in your thoughts. I also hope that you will take some time now to consider how you might be able to help. It's times like this when all of us need to sit down and stand up together. Thank you. Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )   Tassajara Closed through July 30   Written by sangha-e! staff    For more information on the fire near Tassajara, please click here to read more. The Tassajara pages are being updated regularly and offer you additional resources to stay abreast of the ever-changing situation. Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )   Well-Being Chant for Tassajara, its Caretakers, and All Beings Effected by the Fires   Written by Sangha-e Staff    Excerpts from Blanche Hartman’s Wednesday night lecture, July 2, 2008  City Center Chanting is… “Putting our heart into our intention, our compassionate intention, and putting it out in the world has an effect on the world. It isn’t that we get what we want. We create compassion in the world when we call on our own compassion in this way. So for me, chanting for friends who are ill or for the safety of our monastery mobilizes my compassion and puts it out there. I think we can all do that. And it’s very satisfying to me. What can I do when I can’t do anything? This is something I can do. I can’t go down to Tassajara and fight the fire. I can’t go operate on my friends who are ill and remove the cancer. But I can put my heart in my deep concern for their well-being and this is not doing nothing. This is doing something.” Blanche began her lecture with a Well-Being Service, which included the chanting the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo twenty-one times: Kan ze on Na mu Butsu  Yo Butsu u in Yo Butsu u en Bup po so en Jo raku ga jo Cho nen Kan ze on Bo nen Kan ze on  Nen nen ju shin ki Nen nen fu ri shin Following the chant was this dedication: “May all Awakened Beings extend with true compassion their Luminous Mirror Wisdom. With full awareness we have chanted the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo for protecting life. Humbly we invoke the Regarder of the Cries of the World, that she may extend her compassionate aid to: The myriad forms of sentient life which make Tassajara their home, And our kind benefactors the Cal Fire Strike Teams, and the Fenner Cannon Fire Crew. "What we pray is that the Three Treasures may watch over Tassajara Zenshinji and our dharma brothers and sisters who are staying there to take care of it and protect this Buddha Field from calamity, “May we continue to have calm practice in the face of adversity,  May the merit of this practice pervade everywhere,  And may we together with all sentient beings realize the Buddha Way…” Following the chant, Blanche asked: “What is this? What are we doing when we do a chant like this? What are we calling on when we call on the great compassionate mind of Avalokiteshvara? I think this is an expression of our faith and devotion and it’s a calling forth of the great compassionate mind of each one of us and turning our intention and attention toward whoever we’re dedicating it to. It’s calling up our compassionate mind. Avalokiteshvara is just the combination of all of the compassionate minds of all of us together [and that’s what] make[s] Avalokiteshvara appear in the world.” “When we really focus our intention and attention in all sincerity, it has an effect on the world,” said Blanche.   Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 ) ::Via  San Francisco Zen Center [mailto:sangha-e.admin@sfzc.org]

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please have a look: free tibet.

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the POWER of now.

eckhart tolle. … this is what we are all talking about.... living the moment. the moment is now. don't live in the past or too far in the future... we all know these advises.... they have to do with eastern religion, zen, buddhism, your spiritual way, the individual development of everyone... eckhart tolle took another way on his way… but at least he reached the same topic … “the power of now” one of his fantastic published works, written in a very individual warm and understandable way.  my tip to all people who are interested, excited and curious enough to go their own way with respect to every second here and now… enjoy!

susan.

Spiritual Teacher and author was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge.  At the age of twenty-nine a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life.  The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating and deepening that transformation, which marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work in London with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher. Since 1995 he has lived in Vancouver, Canada.

Eckhart Tolle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and the highly acclaimed follow-up A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time.
 
Eckhart’s profound yet simple teachings have already helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives.  At the core of the teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution.  An essential aspect of this awakening consists in transcending our ego-based state of consciousness. This is a prerequisite not only for personal happiness but also for the ending of violent conflict endemic on our planet.

Eckhart is a sought-after public speaker and teaches and travels extensively throughout the world.  Many of his talks, intensives and retreats are published on CD and DVD.  Most of the teachings are given in English, but occasionally Eckhart also gives talks in German and Spanish.  In addition to The Power of Now and A New Earth, Eckhart has written a book designed for meditative reading entitled Stillness Speaks.  A book consisting of selections from The Power of Now is also available, entitled Practicing the Power of Now.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Eckhart Tolle

 

 

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Thich Nhat Hanh quotes

http://www.katinkahesselink.net/other...

Teacher of Zen Buddhism

Great quotes on topics like meditation, dealing with life as it is but also topics like capital punishment and abortion.

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There's a new website here with different sections including quotations, solutions and a blog

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And another challenge:

When you are stuck in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles freeway, can you look at all the other drivers, particularly the ones who are weaving in and out of lanes, and see them as the Buddha? In a work situation, if you have a particularly cantankerous boss who you think is a complete idiot, can you look at that person as the Buddha? As a manager, can you see the person who is working for you as the Buddha?

Can you?

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The Buddha's teaching is all about understanding suffering - its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. When we contemplate suffering, we find we are contemplating desire, because suffering and desire are the same thing.

Desire can be compared to fire. If we grasp fire, what happens? Does it lead to happiness? If we say: "Oh, look at that beautiful fire! Look at the beautiful colors! I love red and orange; theyre my favorite colors," and then grasp it, we would find a certain amount of suffering entering the body. And then if we were to contemplate the cause of that suffering we would discover it was the result of having grasped that fire. On that information, we would hopefully then let the fire go. Once we let fire go then we know that it is not something to be attached to. This does not mean we have to hate it, or put it out. We can enjoy fire, can't we? It is nice having a fire, it keeps the room warm, but we do not have to burn ourselves in it.

~ Ajahn Sumedho, Teachings of a Buddhist Monk

Good for me to remember the 'not shunning' advice as I continue to deal with someone who finds my being Buddhist abhorrent. Sometimes I can be understanding, put myself into his evangelical shoes, compassionate etc. Sometimes it doesn't come so easily.

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