- we discussed the idea of a garden at the Weik ranch a bit, and the consensus seemed to be that if we can come up with a "raised garden" concept that WILL take some work up front, but will be relatively maintenance free on a daily basis, there is interest. Most seemed interested but concerned about having the time to tend the garden on a daily basis. We did agree that maintenance, weeding, and feeding would be part of the Zazenkai practice. Give some thought to what you would suggest to plant, and we will discuss further.
- There is a zazen scheduled for Sundays, including this coming Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM or so. Is anyone planning on attending? If so, please leave a comment.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Thoughts from Wednesday night
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Another good Zazenkai
at the Weik's ranch today. The snow was lovely, but may have kept some away, and caused some to be later than intended (me included). We missed Zuihan, but were delighted with the two young ladies who were there (I won't say 'kids') and their sounds were just right, hopefully next time there will be more kids. Those who made it, thanks. Those who didn't, hope to see you. And...I left my zafu and zabuton there, which I tend to do about 4.5 out of 5 times, so if you could, Sensei, bring them to the dojo, thanks again.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Organic Veggie Zen Garden?
Who would be interested in starting a dojo community organic veggie garden out at the ranch? At its best, it could provide high quality food for all of our families to share, be another chance for us all to come together and have fun, and be a powerful practice as well. Comment below if you would like to be in on a conversation about this for the spring.
-Chi
-Chi
Regular Weekly Sunday Morning Zen at the Ranch?
Some zen folk have expressed interest in doing the Sunday 7-10am sits every week, and its fine with the Weik household. At this point I could see the kids/zazenkai/Sunday service thing once a month with these 7-10am's each of the other sunday mornings. What say you?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Zazenkai Sunday Feb18th
Zazenkai this month is set for Sunday the 18th from 7:00am to 4:00pm at our ranch.
To register, please leave a comment here along with the times you will be able to practice.
To register, please leave a comment here along with the times you will be able to practice.
Further commentary
from the Hermitage Heart website Forum, something that I was asked to write about Tangaryo, that some will not have access to, but speaks to my thanks to all of you here in Toledo for your practice:
The Bible says that 'many are called, but few are chosen', and I have heard it said that the translation is more correctly 'few choose to receive'. As Myotai Sensei said of the koan, in the complexity of the world, why take up the robe when the temple bell rings? Why indeed? Surely there could be better things to do than sit in a tucked away room in a former monastery on a cushion much of an entire day, becoming breathing, centering on one's hara...if there is I can't possibly imagine. Doing so, taking up the practice, seems right, is right, is 'just so'. So you just 'do it'. Why? Why not!As I told my new found dharma sister Jun'en, when I heard her weep so early in the day, I said, "Oh, boy, this is gonna be tougher than I thought". I cannot bear to hear someone cry; I want to go to them, and fix it, whatever 'it' is. But I couldn't. As we are alone in the world, we are alone with our practice in that time. So I left to do slow kinhin in the hallway, and centered myself again, and determined to be as strong in my practice as I could be, as that was my only way to be of help. It was, of course, a greater help to my practice, and I am grateful to Jun'en for that gift. I am grateful to Ho-an for monitoring us that day; the decision to have us do slow kinhin was so powerful. I am so grateful to Chikyo, who doubles as my aikido sensei, and his wife Zuihan, for their efforts with the sangha in Toledo and in introducing me to Hermitage Heart and Myotai Sensei. I am so very grateful to Mytotai Sensei for being my teacher. I am thankful for each of you in this sangha, this community. Feels like home.
Gassho,
Chuck
The Bible says that 'many are called, but few are chosen', and I have heard it said that the translation is more correctly 'few choose to receive'. As Myotai Sensei said of the koan, in the complexity of the world, why take up the robe when the temple bell rings? Why indeed? Surely there could be better things to do than sit in a tucked away room in a former monastery on a cushion much of an entire day, becoming breathing, centering on one's hara...if there is I can't possibly imagine. Doing so, taking up the practice, seems right, is right, is 'just so'. So you just 'do it'. Why? Why not!As I told my new found dharma sister Jun'en, when I heard her weep so early in the day, I said, "Oh, boy, this is gonna be tougher than I thought". I cannot bear to hear someone cry; I want to go to them, and fix it, whatever 'it' is. But I couldn't. As we are alone in the world, we are alone with our practice in that time. So I left to do slow kinhin in the hallway, and centered myself again, and determined to be as strong in my practice as I could be, as that was my only way to be of help. It was, of course, a greater help to my practice, and I am grateful to Jun'en for that gift. I am grateful to Ho-an for monitoring us that day; the decision to have us do slow kinhin was so powerful. I am so grateful to Chikyo, who doubles as my aikido sensei, and his wife Zuihan, for their efforts with the sangha in Toledo and in introducing me to Hermitage Heart and Myotai Sensei. I am so very grateful to Mytotai Sensei for being my teacher. I am thankful for each of you in this sangha, this community. Feels like home.
Gassho,
Chuck
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Hermitage Heart website
We talked at Zen group tonight about the Hermitage Heart website and the schedules listed there for sesshins in 2007, but forgot to mention that you can access the audio files (I think) of the various talks Myotai Sensei has made, including several from this recent sesshin! Let me know if you can't access those files.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Sesshin with Myotai Sensei Report
Rengetsu wrote:
Snow on water
I see it dust the river wind
then vanish.
Fragile snow
Disappears from my sight.
Last week five of us made the drive out to Garrison New York to participate in a wed - sun zen intensive retreat (called sesshin) with Myotai Sensei. Chuck Greer became a formal student of Myotai Sensei, and Erik Knap did his first retreat. Hopefully they will be posting some reflections on their experience shortly.
As for myself, I am gratefull beyond words for the opportunity to practice in this way, and you can count on me to continue to encourage all of us to travel out to join future retreats as much as possible. The schedule is posted at the hermitageheart website.
It seems that while I was away, the sangha that gathered on our usual wednesday evening were accidentally locked out of the dojo! Oops... In spite of this, Kristi reproted to me that all had a fun time talking in her car for several hours, and that a need to facilitate more communication between us all became even more apparent. I hope that this site helps!
- Chikyo
Last week five of us made the drive out to Garrison New York to participate in a wed - sun zen intensive retreat (called sesshin) with Myotai Sensei. Chuck Greer became a formal student of Myotai Sensei, and Erik Knap did his first retreat. Hopefully they will be posting some reflections on their experience shortly.
As for myself, I am gratefull beyond words for the opportunity to practice in this way, and you can count on me to continue to encourage all of us to travel out to join future retreats as much as possible. The schedule is posted at the hermitageheart website.
It seems that while I was away, the sangha that gathered on our usual wednesday evening were accidentally locked out of the dojo! Oops... In spite of this, Kristi reproted to me that all had a fun time talking in her car for several hours, and that a need to facilitate more communication between us all became even more apparent. I hope that this site helps!
- Chikyo
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