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Buddhist

2016-10-06T15:56:54-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The World Is Burning and Yet I Garden: Reflections after a Session on Climate Change at the Soto Zen Buddhist Association Conference

Last updated on: October 6, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Domyo Burk

I feel that it is very important to say something right now, but it is very difficult to do so. I don’t think it’s so much that I can’t find the words. That’s not usually a problem for me. What’s difficult is to even get in touch with my current experience. Part of me is reeling from overwhelming shock and grief, another part of me is dumbfounded with confusion and disbelief, and yet another part of me continues to energetically... Read more

Wrestling with the Issues

perceiving the cries of the world

social action

social responsibility

2016-09-16T11:35:25-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Step One – Commit to Stillness, Don’t React

Last updated on: September 16, 2016 at 11:35 am By Domyo Burk

When we decide to study our life, when we are determined to face the truth no matter how difficult, it is very useful to cultivate a determination to sit still through it all and to not react too quickly to anything we learn. We want to build a strong base for our practice – a strong, stable, established routine of healthy, rational, moral behavior we can rely on when our life gets turned upside down. Ideally it will become second-nature... Read more

Zen Teachings & Practices

2017-05-26T10:45:03-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What Zen “Acceptance” and “Non-Attachment” Really Are

Last updated on: May 26, 2017 at 10:45 am By Domyo Burk

The practices of acceptance and non-attachment are critical to Zen and Buddhist practice – but they are easily misunderstood. It can sound like we’re being asked not to care about things, or not to try to change things for the better. Fortunately, this is not what Zen means by acceptance or non-attachment, because 1) it’s impossible (or psychologically and spiritually damaging) not to care, and 2) trying to change things for the better is the bodhisattva path itself! So what... Read more

Relating to the World

2017-05-26T10:45:35-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How to Open Your Eyes but Not Lose Heart

Last updated on: May 26, 2017 at 10:45 am By Domyo Burk

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a radical thinker to conclude humanity is on a path toward the kind of dystopian world imagined in the bleakest of scifi novels. We can’t keep trashing our planet without dire consequences. We can’t keep using up our non-renewable resources as if we have an infinite supply. We can’t keep acting as if it’s each man for himself (or country for itself) without the social fabric of our world completely disintegrating. If we... Read more

Spiritual Questions about Suffering

social responsibility

2017-02-13T12:55:52-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Slackin’ Off in the Summertime: Cycles of Spiritual Practice

Last updated on: February 13, 2017 at 12:55 pm By Domyo Burk

I’ve come to trust the cycles of practice. I know that sometimes I’ll be on fire for the Dharma – acutely aware of the impermanence of life and willing to devote time and energy to meditation and study. I also know that, at other times, I’ll be caught up in enjoying my life and… well… practice? What’s that again? I am a Zen priest, and when I run into members of my Zen community “out in the world,” such as in... Read more

2016-08-12T12:43:08-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Beyond Mindfulness: The Radical Practice of Unified Presence

Last updated on: August 12, 2016 at 12:43 pm By Domyo Burk

I am going to present an alternative to mindfulness practice. I do this because I believe the concept of mindfulness – at least the way it is typically understood – can limit our spiritual development. It can become a dualistic trap that causes us to reject much of what we are as human beings. However, before I describe the potential pitfalls of mindfulness practice and offer a different approach that has worked for me, I want to discuss the metaphor... Read more

Zen Teachings & Practices

2016-07-29T16:02:56-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s OK When Things Suck

Last updated on: July 29, 2016 at 4:02 pm By Domyo Burk

Buddhist practice doesn’t get you out of experiencing, and feeling the pain of, old age, disease, death, change, loss, trauma, and things being different than how you would like them to be. It also does not relieve you of being a limited being who needs to work hard to overcome harmful habits of body and mind. In short, Buddhism does not help you avoid times when things suck. And sometimes they really, really suck. What Buddhist practice gives you is... Read more

Spiritual Questions about Suffering

acceptance

not knowing

overwhelm

perceiving the cries of the world

perspective

2017-02-13T12:57:19-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Fallacy “It’s All In Your Mind”: Why What We Do Matters

Last updated on: February 13, 2017 at 12:57 pm By Domyo Burk

Spiritual training can result in almost miraculous effects. People training in all different kinds of traditions have discovered that is possible to utterly transform their experiences; they have been able to rise above pain, find optimism in the midst of calamity, suffer injustice with grace, maintain equanimity while surrounded by chaos, and summon immense energy and strength. They do this primarily by redirecting their minds. A Christian might be able to find the strength and motivation to bear her pain... Read more

Relating to the World

absolute and relative

engaged buddhism

ideals

social responsibility

spiritual practice

2016-07-15T10:12:09-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Don’t Think You Understand

Last updated on: July 15, 2016 at 10:12 am By Domyo Burk

Don’t think you understand It. On the other hand, don’t think you don’t understand It. It? What is It, a pronoun capitalized this way? What is It, pronounced with the kind of emphasis that communicates great significance? Alternatively It is called the Great Matter, the Divine, Prajna Paramita, Enlightenment, Emptiness, Suchness. These are ways we refer to different aspects of It. When I write these words, what do you think to yourself? You probably think to yourself EITHER that you... Read more

2016-07-07T11:17:06-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What in the Hell Is Happening in Our Country?

Last updated on: July 7, 2016 at 11:17 am By Domyo Burk

As I sit down at my computer for a day of work, I take a sip of coffee and yield to the temptation to check Facebook and see what’s going on. All I can think is, “Oh God, not again.” Two more black men shot dead by police in as many days. While the country still reels from the slaughter in Orlando. Which happened even though Sandy Hook should have been the absolute end of the line for this nonsense.... Read more

Wrestling with the Issues

perceiving the cries of the world

perspective

racism

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