by Domyo | Sep 28, 2017 | Zen Teachings
The Zen practice of “not-knowing,” or “don’t-know mind,” is a way of honoring the absolute dimension of our lives – even as we engage in “knowing,” as necessary, in the relative dimension. We center ourselves in the here-and-now, and recognize all “knowing” is ultimately an abstraction and not reality itself. It’s not a cop-out; it’s medicine we apply when we get attached to our opinions, caught in judgment, stressed, or overwhelmed, ironically allowing us be more responsible, responsive, compassionate, and effective.
by Domyo | May 18, 2017 | Zen Teachings
Liberation from self-concern is central to all forms of Buddhism, although the methods used to achieve that liberation differ widely. In this episode, I present a classic Zen teaching on not-self: Zen Master Dogen’s statement that “to study Buddhism is to study the self” and “to study the self is to forget the self.”
by Domyo | May 4, 2017 | Zen Teachings
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!
by Domyo | Mar 30, 2017 | Zen Teachings
Zen Buddhism is a non-theistic religious tradition. However, it’s not entirely correct to say that there is no God in Zen. While we don’t conceive of, or worship, an omnipotent personification of the Divine, at the heart of our tradition is the teaching that reality itself is luminous, precious, and infused with compassion. We don’t ascribe an agenda, personality, or gender to That-Which-Is-Greater, but we long to live in harmony with It, and personally experience intimacy with It. These longings infuse our spiritual practice with meaning.
by Domyo | Feb 14, 2017 | Zen Teachings
Zen is a type of Buddhism, which is a 2,500-year-old tradition. When and how did Zen arise, and what is unique about it?
