Chop Wood, Carry Water

So it has been well over a month since my last post.  I moved and for a greater portion of that time I didn't have internet access.  I moved to a property owned by Ryumonji Zen Monastery.  Since my move, I have come to realize many great things about life.

Less is a luxury.  I don't have a whole lot where I live right now, and I love it.  I just have my "staples" and my practice (both Buddhism and martial arts).  I read, work out, practice, sit zazen, and write.  Nothing could be better to me.  I've also had a lot of time to work/practice on my calligraphy which is also nice.

I chop wood, carry wood and water.  It reminds me of the Zen proverb, "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.  After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."  In a sense, I have come to appreciate this proverb.  Work is life, life is work.  When appreciated, both are beautiful.

I've also been reading a lot of Dogen's writings, which has inspired me to compose little poems.  I think that's a side-affect of reading Dogen, haha.

I will be posting more often now that I have the internet.  Hope you are all well, many blessings, in gassho.

Where I live:

Ego-patrio-tism

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the 10th anniversary of the "9/ll attacks" or for Columbus Day.  So  I chose Columbus day.
If it weren't for ego, many things in history, including many atrocities wouldn't have happened.  Radical religious practitioners are no different.  Crusaders, Jihad, Conquistadors, they are all based on an attitude that of ego, that their religion is best.  And it always ends up in unnecessary deaths and disposal of innocent lives.
With that in mind, for Columbus Day, I leave you with this video.  But consider it has not only been Columbus and his time, but so many other "leaders" who have killed and harmed many innocent people in the sake of ego.

Was Yoda a Zen Master?

I'm sure that I may not be the first to make this connection. Every time I hear the words of Yoda in a Star Wars film, I can connect them to some Buddhist or Taoist teaching.  Here are just a few:

“Do or do not... there is no try.”

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Luke: "What's in there?"  Yoda: "Only what you take with you.”

“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.”

“Only the Dark Lord of the Sith knows of our weakness."

“Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can."

The "Dark Side" and "Sith/Vader" can represent Mara. The "Force" can represent the Tao. When I have these points in mind and read the quotes, I can see the correlation.  Just thought I'd share this little tid bit.  Enjoy the many lessons of Master Yoda. :)

Return From the Monastery

In my previous post I had mentioned going on a retreat to a Zen monastery, specifically Ryumonji Zen Monastery.  I have recently returned home, with a whole sense of being.
I learned many things during my stay, (including but not limited to), things about myself, Zazen, and practice.  For lack of a better term, I found the "light" which I needed, not only for my practice, but also for myself.  The abbot was genuinely kind and compassionate.  Never before had I met a man who was so kind, understanding, and genuine.

Shoken/The Abbot (left) and myself (right)

So my returning marks the end of my hiatus from blogging, which I now plan to post more frequently.  Thanks to all of you who have been following me through my hiatus.

Here are a couple pictures of the monastery I took during my stay.   Gassho.

Ryumonji (left to right): Sodo/Sitting Hall, Hondo/Buddha Hall, Kuin/Dining and Dorms

View from courtyard

Entrance sign

Temple Bell

Martial Motivation

One of the best benefits I have gained from practicing martial arts is self motivation.  I'll be honest, in my early 20s, I hated working.  I called in all the time, didn't show up at all...you get the idea.

But since my martial training has become more serious in the last few years, I always find myself "testing myself, " to push through that laziness or lack of motivation.   And it really has paid off.  My current job is physically demanding.  Plus it's helping me with strength training, building muscle, and I'm secluded, so techniques can be practiced on my downtime. ;)

But why would practicing martial arts make you more self motivated?  Self Discipline. A true martial artist doesn't just practice when he's at the "dojo."  He tempers his mind and body daily, at every chance possible.  Whether it's against the rigors of daily life, the heavy bag, shadow boxing, or real confrontations (mental and physical).

The discipline of motivation doesn't only apply to work either.  It applies to the training itself, to the home, the family, anything really.  If one looks deep enough, virtually any activity can be used to train oneself, be it physically or mentally.  There are no waves without a wind.


The following video is of Shaolin monks training in a variety of techniques.  Enjoy.  Amituofo.

What's Wrong?

What's wrong?
I'm sure we've all heard this question before when somebody notices we are upset.  But is anything really wrong?  Just because we are upset by something doesn't mean that emotion is technically wrong.  We have to accept and acknowledge all of our emotions.  If we never suffered, how could we learn some important life-lessons?

Also, the phrase "What's wrong?" can invalidate another's emotion.  Try to be mindful of what the other is feeling and suffering from.  Most of the time there is a reason they are suffering which we could possibly learn from or offer our compassion and mindfulness to the matter to help them heal.

By accepting, acknowledging, and being mindful our unpleasant emotions, it helps us heal them faster.  We recognize the cause of the suffering, and the remedy.  I like to think of our joy as a flowing stream.

A flowing stream turns and encounters obstacles in its course.  The rocks and turns are like unpleasant emotions and suffering. They don't completely  block the stream. The water just acknowledges something is in the way, accepts that it cannot change it, and finds a way to flow around.

Why be unhappy if you can change the problem?  What's the use of being unhappy if you cannot change the problem?  Accept it, fix it if you can, and return to being.

Thich Nhat Hanh states in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching that, "Our feelings are formations, impermanent and without substance. We learn not to identify ourselves with our feelings, not to consider them as a self, not to seek refuge in them, not to die because of them."  Clinging to our emotions is a high risk action.  It can elevate our suffering when we don't have joy, or by letting our unpleasant emotions fester by not letting them pass.
So is something wrong when you are upset?  Or is it just the course of things?  Nothing is technically wrong, it just is, and we need to accept that.