zen

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Zen & Bruce Lee

“Zen is both something we are, our true nature expressing itself moment by moment, and something we do, a disciplined practice through which we can realize the joy of being. So, what is Zen? Stop trying to get an intellectual lock on something that is vast and boundless, far more than the rational mind can grasp. Just breathe in with full awareness.”~ Bruce Lee

Once again the mystery and simplicity of Zen. Bruce Lee. What a shame we lost him so young. Many theorize that it was no accident and that forces, perhaps from China, did not want him to continue in this world. Some photos of him are just incredible. He made himself into the cobra that represented him. Or that he represented. Where could he have taken himself in this world had he remained here?

The above photo is from the internet. I didn’t see a credit given though it does look as if it is from a movie. The photo I am thinking of shows him sitting on a meditation pillow—zafu—in a sitting cobra pose. It is beyond impressive. It is as if he becomes a cobra.

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Letting Go

“Do everything with a mind that lets go. If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will know complete peace and freedom. Your struggles with the world will have come to an end…” ~Ajahn Chah

TaoAndZenz

Posted by Tao & Zen

Yvonne Mancilla tsSpitoon1s0oredh · Raindrops on pine

Posted by Yvonne Mancilla—Raindrops on pine

So Beautiful

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Now

So many thoughts, so little time. So for just now, and a catch-up later, here’s a thought to tide us over once more.

  • Tao and Zen

“There is a misconception that Buddhism is a religion, and that you worship Buddha. Buddhism is a practice, like yoga. You can be a Christian and practice Buddhism. I met a Catholic priest who lives in a Buddhist monastery in France. He told me that Buddhism makes him a better Christian. I love that.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

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Roshi Bernie Glassman

Zen is all of life

As quoted from an article in Lion’s Roar in remembrance of Bernie:

Roshi Bernie Glassman founded The Zen Peacemakers

As articulated by Glassman, the community was founded on three tenets for integrating spiritual practice and social action: (1) not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about ourselves, other people, and the universe; (2) bearing witness to the joy and suffering of the world, and; (3) loving action for ourselves and others.

Glassman saw these three tenets as traditional Zen, phrased in a fresh, modern idiom. “In Zen training,” says Glassman, “koan study gets you to experience the state of not knowing.” Then, bearing witness is just sitting meditation, or shikantaza, and loving action is none other than compassion.

  • Glassman, with his signature red beret and cigar, off in search of Sunday bagels.

Bernie wrote a book with Jeff Bridges, The Dude and The Zen Master

The article about Bernie is well done and explores much more of Bernie’s life and accomplishments. It’s well worth a look.

http://Zen Is All of Life: Remembering Roshi Bernie Glassman