We sometimes hear in our Zen teachings phrases such as “The world, as it is, is perfect” or “you are perfect, just as you are.” What could such “perfection” possibly mean, in light of so much obvious counter-evidence? Continue reading “Perfection, Zen, and Tango”
Tag: zazen
How Do I Live My Life?
Is this a problem that cries out for a solution? Or an invitation to investigation?
The question “How do I live my life?” has been coming up for me lately. I’ve been exploring two versions of it.
The first version arises as a cry from the heart: “How do I live my life?”
Life has difficulties. Continue reading “How Do I Live My Life?”
Dangers of Zen, Part II
Zen is about awakening, and not about experiencing any particular state, or becoming “good,” or displaying any peculiar powers.
Zen is about awakening, and not about experiencing any particular state, or becoming “good,” or displaying any peculiar powers. These points, which I talked about in Part I of this two-part series, are beautifully summarized by the following text by Keizan Jokin, a Japanese Zen teacher born in the 13th century. Continue reading “Dangers of Zen, Part II”
Julie A. Nelson 