Zenful Blog

Waking Up

2010-04-03T01:18:00.002-04:00

After almost ten years in my seated/zazen meditation practice I find there are only fleeting moments of when the gaps between my thoughts and full awareness are present. In my working meditation practice there are even fewer of those moments and I find the quality of awareness to be on a much different level.

CARE TO SHARE: What is your experience with this?

Living and Working in Balance

2010-03-15T19:37:00.003-04:00

What is the meaning of live-work balance (really)? Some would define it as a 9-5 job and a 5-midnight life. Some would say it's early retirement and financial freedom. Buddhists would say it's freeing your mind of its chains: freedom from emotional and material attachments. I'd say that if I could work for fun and live a happy and fulfilling life connecting, inspiring and helping others grow, while feeling connected, inspired and helped out in my life, that that could be considered my life in balance. Next steps? One foot in front of the other.

Keep on keepin' on.

Leah Joy

Looking Ahead...

2010-02-26T00:22:00.002-05:00

San Francisco/Bay Area
Feb 28 - March 5
Green Gulch - 5 Day Sesshin

Rochester, NY
April 25 - May 21
Omega Institute
Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training

Lafayette, CO
March 20 - March 26
Great Mountain Zen Center
Great Heart Retreat

New! Episode Four on ZenfulTV

2010-02-21T10:37:00.006-05:00

Hey there,

A few days ago I posted a new video with gentle and easy tips on how to increase range of motion in your neck and shoulders while reducing stress. I thought it would be a great one to share! After many years of teaching movement and polling friends and coworkers, it's become quite clear to me that we all have a tendency to store stress predominantly in these two areas of our bodies. The emphasis of this video is on gentle work with lots of reminders to breathe deeply. Check it out and let me know what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M4fhtxsHnM

Have a relaxed neck and shoulder day! :)

Leah Joy

Introducing ZenfulTV

2010-01-20T00:24:00.002-05:00

ZenfulTV's Episode One on Breath and Breathing has just launched on Youtube - CHECK IT OUT!

LOOKING FORWARD

2010-01-20T00:05:00.003-05:00

Here's a few things to look out for in 2010:

San Francisco: Yoga Journal Conference - Jan. 28 - Feb. 1
Join the Buddhist Peace Fellowship Chapter in your area: http://www.bpf.org/store.aspx?pid=4
Take a ZenfulDance Workshop - Call to book in your area: 510-593-9945
Give Blood via the American Red Cross

Email us

Death and Buddhism

2009-11-13T10:27:00.003-05:00

In the last seven days I have lost (quite suddenly) a dear uncle to cancer and today most likely my much loved grandfather will die from long-term illness. It has been and continues to be a week of sadness, mostly of not being able to say goodbye in person but also to know that the people I love most are hurting deeply. For today's blog, I'd like to share some thoughts on death and Buddhism, a passage from V.F. Gunaratna. I find this passage helps me to put death (and life) into balanced perspective.

Buddhist Reflections on Death
by
V.F. Gunaratna

To the average man death is by no means a pleasant subject or talk for
discussion. It is something dismal and oppressive -- a veritable kill-joy, a
fit topic for a funeral house only. The average man immersed as he is in the
self, ever seeking after the pleasurable, ever pursuing that which excites
and gratifies the senses, refuses to pause and ponder seriously that these
very objects of pleasure and gratification will some day reach their end. If
wise counsel does not prevail and urge the unthinking pleasure-seeking man
to consider seriously that death can knock at his door also, it is only the
shock of a bereavement under his own roof, the sudden and untimely death of
a parent, wife or child that will rouse him up from his delirious round of
sense-gratification and rudely awaken him to the hard facts of life. Then
only will his eyes open, then only will he begin to ask himself why there is
such a phenomenon as death. Why is it inevitable? Why are there these
painful partings which rob life of its joys?

To most of us, at some moment or another, the spectacle of death must have
given rise to the deepest of thoughts and profoundest of questions. What is
life worth, if able bodies that once performed great deeds now lie flat and
cold, senseless and lifeless? What is life worth, if eyes that once sparkled
with joy, eyes that once beamed with love are now closed forever, bereft of
movement, bereft of life? Thoughts such as these are not to be repressed. It
is just these inquiring thoughts, if wisely pursued, that will ultimately
unfold the potentialities inherent in the human mind to receive the highest
truths.

According to the Buddhist way of thinking, death, far from being a subject
to be shunned and avoided, is the key that unlocks the seeming mystery of
life. It is by understanding death that we understand life; for death is
part of the process of life in the larger sense. In another sense, life and
death are two ends of the same process and if you understand one end of the
process, you also understand the other end. Hence, by understanding the
purpose of death we also understand the purpose of life. It is the
contemplation of death, the intensive thought that it will some day come
upon us, that softens the hardest of hearts, binds one to another with cords
of love and compassion, and destroys the barriers of caste, creed and race
among the peoples of this earth all of whom are subject to the common
destiny of death. Death is a great leveler. Pride of birth, pride of
position, pride of wealth, pride of power must give way to the all-consuming
thought of inevitable death. It is this leveling aspect of death that made
the poet say:

"Scepter and crown
Must tumble down
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade."

It is the contemplation of death that helps to destroy the infatuation of
sense-pleasure. It is the contemplation of death that destroys vanity. It is
the contemplation of death that gives balance and a healthy sense of
proportion to our highly over-wrought minds with their misguided sense of
values. It is the contemplation of death that gives strength and steadiness
and direction to the erratic human mind, now wandering in one direction, now
in another, without an aim, without a purpose. It is not for nothing that
the Buddha has, in the very highest terms, commended to his disciples the
practice of mindfulness regarding death. This is known as "marananussati
bhavana". One who wants to practice it must at stated times, and also every
now and then, revert to the thought maranam bhavissati -- "death will take
place." This contemplation of death is one of the classical
meditation-subjects treated in the Visuddhi Magga which states that in order
to obtain the fullest results, one should practice this meditation in the
correct way, that is, with mindfulness (sati), with a sense of urgency
(samvega) and with understanding (ñana). For example, suppose a young
disciple fails to realize keenly that death can come upon him at any moment,
and regards it as something that will occur in old age in the distant
future; his contemplation of death will be lacking strength and clarity, so
much so that it will run on lines which are not conducive to success.

How great and useful is the contemplation of death can be seen from the
following beneficial effects enumerated in the Visuddhi Magga: -- "The
disciple who devotes himself to this contemplation of death is always
vigilant, takes no delight in any form of existence, gives up hankering
after life, censures evil doing, is free from craving as regards the
requisites of life, his perception of impermanence becomes established, he
realizes the painful and soulless nature of existence and at the moment of
death he is devoid of fear, and remains mindful and self-possessed. Finally,
if in this present life he fails to attain to Nibbana, upon the dissolution
of the body he is bound for a happy destiny." Thus it will be seen that
mindfulness of death not only purifies and refines the mind but also has the
effect of robbing death of its fears and terrors, and helps one at that
solemn moment when he is gasping for his last breath, to face that situation
with fortitude and calm. He is never unnerved at the thought of death but is
always prepared for it. It is such a man that can truly exclaim, "O death,
where is thy sting?"

LJM

Introduction to Meditation this Sunday in NYC

2009-11-06T10:10:00.004-05:00

All-

I subscribe to the Village Zendo email/announcement list and wanted to pass this on:

Dear friends,
Meditate NYC is this Sunday! The event is Nov 8, from 3 - 7 PM at the Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square Park. It's an afternoon buffet of Buddhist speakers presenting the awesome variety of views and methods in Buddhism. This is the third year that the New York Buddhist Council (of which the Village Zendo is a member sangha) has produced the event. Roshi will be an MC and a speaker, and Koshin will talk about the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.
If you're looking for a way to introduce your friends to Buddhism, this is your best chance all year: Invite your friends to come explore the teachings and meet members of many sanghas.
The event is free, and you don't have to stay for the whole time; please come and go whenever you like.
We want to share this event with as many people as possible. Please help us -- if you know anyone who is ripe for meditation, who is interested in mindfulness but doesn't have a community or a teacher to practice with -- please invite them to Meditate NYC!
Meditate NYCSunday, Nov. 8, 3 - 7 PMJudson Memorial Church55 Washington Square Southhttp://meditatenyc.org/

Meditate NYC begins on Sunday, November 8 with an afternoon of meditation instruction by Buddhist speakers from a great variety of traditions. It's free and open to all. You can come and go as you wish. Chairs are provided; you may bring a meditation cushion.
Presenters:Pat Enkyo O'Hara Roshi – Village ZendoMichele Laporte – Shambhala Meditation CenterJosh Korda – New York Insight / DharmapunxRev. Dr. Chung Ok Lee – Won Buddhist TempleKoshin Paley Ellison –New York Zen Center for Contemplative CareBrother Phap Tri – Order of InterbeingEllen Scordato – Interdependence ProjectJanet Jiryu Abels Sensei – Still Mind ZendoMyoji Sunim – New York Chogye SaDonna Walker-Kuhne – Soka Gakkai InternationalVenerable Yung Ku – Buddha's Light International Association
Free Meditation Instruction at Open Houses Throughout NYC: November 9 – 15
Anyone who is interested in meditation is encouraged to attend any and all events. More information, including map of Open Houses, is available at http://meditatenyc.org/
Meditate NYC is sponsored by the New York Buddhist Council and co-sponsored by the Tricycle Foundation.
http://meditatenyc.org/

Have an enlightened day!

The State of Things - A Vague Reenactment of the Last 24 Hours

2009-09-21T13:59:00.002-04:00

AWARENESS, a feature that many students of Buddhism and Buddhist Monks share and commit to daily practice is not something that has played a role in my last 24 hours. Things have sort of been happening to me. I have felt a bit helpless and quite a bit more alone. I've been watching my fiance plan our wedding. I've been hobbling around in a walking boot with a fractured ankle wondering if it will come off by the wedding date. I've been moaning about which clients will leave and which ones will stay. I've been getting pushed around by people on the train. I've been letting things happen to me. I've been playing the victim for the last 24 hours and it frankly, it feels horrible. I have made the decision to stop now.

I have chosen to take control starting now. I have chosen to capitalize on my strengths and work around my weaknesses; accepting both for what they are. I have chosen to be aware of myself and to get out of my own way. I have asked for help. I have smiled in the most unlikely moments. I have picked myself up. I have helped others by helping myself. I have turned my life around in a matter of moments. I have energized myself and the people around me. I have chosen to be in control of my actions which have consequences which I am responsible for.

How is your day going?

STOP FOR A MINUTE! What are you thinking?

2009-06-21T22:16:00.005-04:00

"Stop for a minute and think about what you're saying!" These are words we've all heard growing up and most likely we still hear them occasionally from our partners, friends, siblings (and parents too...still). These words can sound like a broken record, but wait! Stop for a minute and think about what it means. When is the last time you actually stopped to think about what you're saying to the person standing in front of you- or the person on the phone- or the person you're intimate with- or the person you USED to be intimate with? Are you merely reacting or have you put thought into your words enough to let them leave your lips from a place of loving-kindness?

The other day I was having a dispute with my partner. You know the one where words come flying out only to think about it seconds afterwards in complete shock as if to say "Did that really just come out of my mouth?? Who am I? Who is this person that speaks so hastily and hurtfully with such disdain for another living being? I don't think we've met... Oh shit! It's me!" These "indiscretions" as I like to call them could happen with less frequency if we'd only just STOP. Let words flow from love instead of fear and we'll all be in a much better space for it. Wow! Dad was right all along.

Happy Father's Day Dad! Thanks for being awake enough to speak from a place of love to the ones that cross your path.

Find Zen in Everyday

2009-06-17T22:21:00.005-04:00

Zen, defined as realizing the present moment, is not something we can only practice in the Zendo (where one sits for meditation). Just as smelling the roses isn't restricted to rose gardens. Zen can be found in the here and now. Find beauty in a smile. Find peace in a brief walk around the office.

Although it is sometimes impossible to get away from our hectic daily schedules, we can create moments of space to breathe and "just be" throughout the day. Try setting an hourly alarm on your computer or wrist watch to remind you to stretch and breathe. Practice being present for an entire phone conversation (like those conference calls for example) or a meeting with your boss; you will feel more alive. Select a daily task you would normally not pay much attention to (like making the kids' lunches in the morning) and be present throughout the task. It may not take up any more of your time, but you will feel so much more joyful for it. Give Zen a try! You and others around you will thank you for it.

Creativity: Put Fun Back into Your Day

2009-04-15T12:24:00.007-04:00

Getting creative is just the beginning. It takes opening your mind; On most days I find it... well, fun! It's a challenge on some days though. You know those days: the days when you're tired from a restless night's sleep, the sky is gray and looming over you and there's a "special" energy in the air that says "Go home and crawl under the covers now!". I'm having one of "those" days. Of course, right now is when I really need my creativity.

In an effort to pull it together and enjoy my work day, I'm getting creative and having a little fun. I'm approaching the way I work a little differently today; I'm a little lighter in my voice; not so serious. People are responding more quickly because they hear the lightness in my voice. It's actually making my job a little easier. More fun! It's infectious too. The day is shaping up nicely.

Have a fun day!

Packed with Emptiness

2009-01-20T23:46:00.004-05:00

I scheduled my day in advance today, blocking out all of my work tasks on my train ride in by timed sections: calls due before 11am, follow up emails due before 1pm, process contracts before 3:30pm, prospecting due before 5pm, marketing due before 6:30pm. Within a minute or two after arriving at my desk, I begin to work steadily and focused on the time-allotted tasks. Suddenly I look at the clock and it's already 12pm. I haven't had a drink of water, gone to the bathroom, eaten a meal or even glanced out my window at the gorgeous day. I feel as though I've been holding my breath and waiting to live, to dance again. Where do I go when I lose myself in my work? How much stress am I causing myself? Where is the balance between being productive while maintaining sense of self? Sure, deep breaths help a lot IF I remember to breathe. In Zen Buddhism it can take a lifetime of practicing self awareness to bring about a higher sense of self.

I watched the Presidential Inauguration and was inspired and deeply touched by it. I was aware of myself. I took a short walk around 2:30pm to get some fresh air and a cup of tea. I was aware of myself. If I could only apply this awareness to when I'm knocking out tasks at my desk; my life would be so much juicier. Does anyone know where can I get a juicer for my life?

Weather Changes Everything

2009-01-19T22:53:00.002-05:00

I grew up in an area of Northern California where the worst weather was a cold, hard rain storm of three days. Sure it would dampen plans of going outside and playing with my friends for hours on end but I would never find myself feeling confined to my house. Snow blizzards and ice are a much different animal. Feeling stuck indoors (and in my head) is quite a new experience for me living on the east coast where they have "real" winters. I find that it not only forces me to change my plans for the day, but teaches me to stock the refrigerator in advance. I don't get to be the spontaneous me I used to be in California. I simply don't have that luxury anymore. It's changing my attitude. I'm becoming less bubbly. I'm becoming more moody; a bit temperamental. A real bitch.

What to do? Well, I've taken up blogging, knitting, reading, cooking and watching rented movies. But what happens when I simply just crave warm sunlight? I recently took a quick business trip out to LA and was able to get my "sun fix" but found returning to the east coast far more depressing than I'd ever imagined. What a tease!

And so I find myself at a loss. There must be something out there I've yet to try: a mobile sun bubble I could ride in to and from work. Perhaps I'm just not made for this sort of cold and I should waddle my four layers of coats and jackets back to wherest I came. I truly hope Spring is just around the corner.

Unshakable Me

2009-01-18T23:33:00.018-05:00

I've spent most of my life second-guessing myself. My insecurities have always shined through the moment someone of authority crosses my path. These people- they don't know me, but they won't hesitate to tell me what they think I should stand for. I listen. I question myself. I forget who I am. I forget what I want. I forget where I'm going. And just like that, I'm lost. Grasping for something "out there" to show me what's inside myself. Some confirmation that I'm doing it "the right way". How backwards.

And so it continues until I'm exhausted. I often have to retreat to regain focus. It is in the retreat where I can see what I've stood for all along: love. All ego, judgement and arrogance aside. I stand for love. I only wish I could be unwavering in my love. I want the balance of hearing someone else's opinion of me minus the affected outcome. I hope to go through tomorrow with an unshakable me.