Last Call for Practice (Always)

Last updated on: September 7, 2009 at 8:50 am by Dosho Port

Last Call for Practice (Always) 2009-09-07T08:50:00-06:00 Dosho Port

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The Moon Reflected in the Water: 100 Day Practice Period begins on Saturday for those practicing from afar. The expectations might seem a bit more than you can handle – zazen, Heart Sutra, study, webinar, capping phrases (click here for more detail) – and if you think so, it might be just right.

I’ve found that in the important practice of working our edge, most of us shy back from the edge and so don’t find the full aliveness that is possible when we really throw ourselves into what we are doing.

Anyway, there is still a seat open for you in the virtual practice zendo. If you want to jump in, shoot me an email ([email protected]) or register via Facebook (click here) by Wednesday. No previous practice period experience necessary.

In the practice period, we’ll be focusing on zazen, study and application. I often go on and on about zazen so today I’ll just smile and wave and move to the second point – study.

I’ve been diversifying during the summer, reading a few non-Dogen books, like Norman Waddell’s wonderful Hakuin’s Precious Mirror Cave where I found this:

Zen Master Po-yun stated: “It was because I was acquainted with a great many of the words and deeds of former teachers that I was able to complete my religious quest.” An utterance of truly incalculable worth!”

A very interesting statement in our tradition that isn’t based on words but on direct pointing, no?

Simply put, our zazen is transformed by our understanding and we without a hairsbreadth gap are transformed in the process.

Now there’s a little problem with those of us who are thinking types and use study simply to get more into our heads and talk the talk of zen, creating more divisions in the world.

That’s no good but it points to the need for a teacher and community, not for throwing out study.

And then there’s application. Zazen and study that don’t pass through the gates of “So what?” and “Now what?” is also good for nothing or worse.

Hakuin (and yes, Dogen and Katagiri and Buddha…) all seem to agree on that point. And to really be thoroughgoing and not all hung up on our little attainments but determined to be congruent all the way through, well … it’s rather daunting and I certainly fall short a lot.

But it is heartening to see that it isn’t only we lame moderns who have difficulty walking the walk.

Hakuin once had a dream while visited by a friend (while “…opening up his heart as they talked and exchanged views about matters past and present”) where Jizo Bodhisattva appeared.

The master sat in attendance at the Bodhisattva’s side and asked him, “How do I incorporate the attainment I’ve achieved into my everyday life?” The Bodhisattva looked around at him and said, “As if sitting inside a thicket of razor-sharp thorns and briars.” Cold shivers passed up and down the master’s spine. His hair stood on end.

Setting aside for the moment what hair it was that stood on end for the shave pate, I invite you to hear the cry of all beings and practice as if your hair were on fire.

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