Saturday, August 23, 2003

We are passing.

There is a point of correspondency
between two views which is
called the pivot of the Tao.
As soon as one finds this pivot,
she stands in the center of the
ring of thought where she can
respond without end to the changing views;
without end to those affirming,
and without end to those denying.

- Chuang Tzu

Just see what is passing...
...by(e).

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

David S., from Antigonish Nova Scotia, brings gift of 2nd calligraphy.

First one was Tibetan characters of male and female -- protectors of Sangha. This second one is open heart compassionate heart -- dripping of Bodhichitta.

We'll find frames. Something to hold for meditation Sangha and Bodhichitta. Tomorrow evening he'll lead Wednesday Evening Conversation with comments on Buddhist Meditation as Christian Practice.

Keep to unity without shifting.
With constant presence,
Whether active or still,
The student can see the Buddha nature clearly.

- Tao-hsin (580-651

Yesterday to Corner Shop for breakfast, to Rockland starting process for ID card for Jon. Get oil change. Then get Tibetan incense and holder from Bijou's shop on Main Street.

Barbara writes her father died on 4July. At Saturday retreat day a young man tells of his father's death when he was ten. At Saturday morning conversation man from New Bedford has to pass book unable to read after speaking about his father's last few days before death. So many fathers -- so many deaths!

Unity without shifting is constant nearness of all who’ve touched us, participated in our coming to birth in this existence, and departed back into the invisibility following death that each of us once emerged from at birth.

Constant presence is what accompanies and permeates what we call being-in-the-world.
All are right here. When we go elsewhere, there is where here is. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, children and relatives from every direction -- all of these are near and aware of our veryness and passage-making through the hours and minutes of this passing-through mysterious world.

Buddha nature enlightens sangha, opens hearts with compassion, and makes prayer to rise like incense of a morning's meditation.

I drive Jon to Portland. He's off to Boston to ready for moving there. I am his father.

For now, in this Tuesday dimension, we travel in each other's sight.

Whether active or still, we practice this seeing.

With presence it becomes permeable.

Root unity, even through shifting.

Transparent.

Sunday, August 17, 2003

Where go when there's no where to go?

Salt-water farm on North Harbour on Aspey Bay, Cape Breton? Or Inn, shop, and house in quiet town on Broad Cove in Lunenburg County Nova Scotia?
Bayview and Barnestown Camden?

Time is passing every moment;
How can you be complacent and waste it,
Seeing death is but a breath away?

- Kuei-Shan (771-854)

One breath away, one breath near.
Breath alone along the way.

It's the birthday of beat poet Lew Welch, born in Phoenix, Arizona (1926). He's the author of many collections of poetry, including Hermit Poems (1965) and At Times We're Almost Able To See (1965). He said, "Seeking perfect total enlightenment is like looking for a flashlight when all you need the flashlight for is to find your flashlight." (from The Writers Almanac, 16Aug, by Garrison Keillor)

Each place is now here.