The Birds Flew this Coop!: November 2007

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Genpo Roshi

After listening to last week's Drinking Gourd, where Chikyo referenced Genpo Roshi's Big Mind process, I discovered that another podcast I recently discovered, Buddhist Geeks, has actually interviewed Genpo Roshi. I've listened to two of the three parts of the interview so far, and I would highly recommend them:

Genpo Roshi on Big Mind
Is Zen Enough?
Genpo "Big Mind's" Gwen

It's fascinating to listen to him speak about various aspects of the practice, and his own journey in Buddhism. I'm looking forward to listening to the third part of the series, where he leads the interviewer through the Big Mind process during the interview itself.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Living Zen: Awakening the Joyful Heart Pics

Here are a few pics and a quick clip of the public talk that happened at the center on October 27th, 2007. Chikyo talking, Chikyo with Woody and Judy Trautman, co-founders of the NW Ohio Multifaith Council, and a video quick pan of the room to get a sence of how many folks were there. The content of this talk is available on CD at the Center for a $5 donation, or as a free podcast at the drinking gourd homepage www.thedrinkinggourd.org or via itunes.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Giving

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to the sangha for the gift of this evening's (11/21) sitting. In taking up the task usually performed so ably by Andy I was given the opportunity to give my ego to the sangha. The gentleness and kindness with which it was treated is affirmation of the effects of the practice and the teachings. Gassho.

To put yourself, or your sense of yourself, out on display is a challenge, a risk we each of us face whenever we encounter new territory. I feel safe in saying none of us leaps at the chance to make a fool of ourself. However, doing just that is one of the most liberating experiences the ordinary person can readily encounter; a practice I can now wholeheartedly recommend anyone take up.

I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to embrace this new practice in so loving a company. To have had the chance to give my ego to humility, my person to service, to be given unconditional support, to be given the opportunity to experience the service and practice from another perspective, and to be able to give to those who serve (namely Andy and Chuck) the chance to be wholly and fully present to themselves in practice is a beautiful blessing which has left an indelible mark on my being. There comes a point, an overflowing of fullness, at which it becomes difficult to distinguish being giving and receiving. Perhaps there really is no difference.

Anyway, to Sensei, to Zuihan, to Andy, to Chuck, and to the rest of my family my love and my thanks.
(now get out there and make #$$^$ of yourselves)

Leigh