Day 12

Meditation During Wartime

Hang around a practice center long enough and you will hear someone say that we should "train as if our hair is on fire." An article published by the Associated Press this morning talks about meditation practice when the world is on fire.

Tricycle's 90 Day Big Sit

I also learned this morning that Tricycle magazine is sponsoring a 90 day Big Sit. During this intensive practice period (following the tradition of the three-month practice period, which in Soto Zen is called ango, or “peaceful dwelling”) they are studying Genjokoan, a section in Dogen's Shobogenzo.

A short talk has been posted on this teaching. I found the following particularly resonated with me this morning:

Though there are many features in the dusty world and the world beyond conditions, you see and understand only what your eye of practice can reach. In order to learn the nature of the myriad things, you must know that although they may look round or square, the other features of oceans and mountains are infinite in variety; whole worlds are there. It is so not only around you, but also directly beneath your feet, or in a drop of water.

I'll think on this throughout the day as a reminder to get my practice in later today.