Recently our Buddhism Book Bunch (our reading group) completed Joan Halifax-roshi's Fruitful Darkness. Roshi is a trained anthropologist and has done extensive work in death and dying. In this book describes the often used metaphor of 'Journey" to describe life. But let's turn this around. Rather LIFE is a metaphor for a journey. First we start-born, grow and develop and then we end. Often we say, "Great is Matter of Birth and Death," which means IT is all there is being or processing. Life is processing millions moments of breathing in and out as conditions and variables change. Or folks Life is Life and Zenning is aware(ing) living. Deep awareness of anything means you become IT. When we travel we are traveling we are BEING travel and that is just a facet of India's net. In this view maybe it helps us appreciate being is all.
Our next BBB book selection is by Brad Warner who has been called a punk-rock-roshi, among other things. In this book he explores Dogen's Shobogenzo. In Sit Down and Shut-up, Warner looks at the writing of Dogen as a refreshing turning what we think of life upside down. In many ways pointing that Dogen cuts through metaphors and ideas to direct experiencing (something Halifax-roshi also does in her last chapter). What you may find that Dogen and Warner are both exploring Koan (public case) or the essence of a teaching that penetrates the heart of the matter. So lets explore the wonderful world of Koans-don't forget your lamp...
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Please note that we have now have a way for supporters to make contributions on our FSZS website: www.falmouthsotozenangha.net. Many readers receive weekly Dharma notes and you may wish to help us continue our work as we near our seventh year celebration. Remember we are a 501c3 through the STO and contributions go tour rent at UUFF and to support the Silent Thunder Order as well as our basic materials and supplies. Any amount is appreciated...
Dharma Talk for Tuesday September 19, 2017 is "LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY "
As continued outreach in the Falmouth community, I will be working on a "Connectivity and Relationships" as a central feature of a group discussion fellowship on remaining sober and not using, as a path to address alcohol and drug abuse. More about this as it unfolds...
Please Add to your Calendar:
On Saturday November 4, 2017 will:
Have a Zazenkai from 6:30 AM until 11:00PM
11:00-11:45 we will prepare for three FSZS members to take Jukai or Precepts
12:00 Jukai conducted by Taiun-Roshi, via Skype from Atlanta
12:45 Lunch and Celebration of the 7th anniversary of the founding of FSZS
DATES SENSEI IS AWAY: Sangha Services will be lead by different members who have taken Jukai.
In November I will be away on a 30 day Priest's Ango or teaching sesshin, but will Skype in Dharma Talks...
November 7, 14, 21 and 28
December 5
Our Beach sitting on the Bike-Path at Oyster Pond and Surf Drive has begun, from 6:30AM until 7:00AM then we all go to PIE-IN-THE SKY in Woods Hole for coffee.
1. Like String for Beads, is a compilation of my Dharma talks, notes, poems and Facebook comments I have produced over the last five years. Special thanks to Enjitsu-san Chris Charyk for pulling the pieces together in this book! There will be copies available every Tuesday night, or let me know if you want me to mail you a copy. The book is $15 per copy.
2. Visit our new library named for Diane “Yugen” Tucker. The cart was a donation to the Sangha by Kyoshin Elin Kinney as Dana for her Jukai on November 5, 2016…many bows! The books will be added over the next few weeks and Kyoshin-ni has agreed to be our Librarian. A donation of $1 is recommend to check out books and magazines for up to three weeks. It really is a cute cart drop-by and see it soon. Oh, we wheel it out each Tuesdays and for zazenkai and sesshin, or if you would like to see if we have a book you want, get in touch with Elin <elinkinney@gmail.com>.
3. Meditation is also held each TUESDAY at 10:00AM at the Falmouth Senior Center.
4. We are now using two months to read more deeply our BBB selections please keep this in mind: Our next Book is Sit-down and Shut-up, by Brad Warner: The book received mixed reviews. MetroActive stated "At times Warner comes off as pandering, with his cutesy pop-culture tangents and I-know-what-you're-thinking-right-now comments" while Buddhadharma ultimately summed the book up with "Too much of an adolescent rant for most Zen readers and too much of a middle-aged strut down memory lane for most punk readers, Sit Down and Shut Up will likely get an enthusiastic reception only from the small group of readers who already identify as Zen punks." Razorcake, however, stated "Irreverent, cocksure, glib, and wise, this is one damn good book."
6. Our Zendo is open at 6:30PM (good time for newcomers to get aquatinted) at the UUFF, 840 Sandwich Road, for our weekly service which starts at 7:00PM. Also feel free to stay afterwards to chat and or ask questions...