Good Morning Chris, Gosh-- I didn't realize you lived in CA. For some reason, I thought you lived in MD. I will look through the info on the links you gave me today, and add any thoughts I have on that later. Though Ed and Bill seem more knowledgeable about Gempo and Big Mind than I. I will offer, however, that I am still impressed with your cycling, though as an exercise junkie, I will point out that cycling uses more kcals than walking. Like any activity, it is dependent on the intensity, however. When I was starting school in the 80's, a common formula used in exercise prescription was known as the Karvone Formula, but better assessments are used now. I still use it, though, because its easy, and much more accurate than the archaic 220 -age. (Dangerous mis-calculation). This formula allows the calculation of a training heart rate % that is equivalent to the % VO2 max, (% max HR = % VO2 max). (Volume of oxygen capacity). Fitness recommendations back then suggesting exercise intensity between 70-85% VO2 max-- They are substantially lower today which will bring to my second point later;) So, for example: HR = 70% x (max HR - resting HR) + resting HR = 70% x (170 - 70) + 70 = 140 beats /min This method adjusts for measuring variation in resting and max HR, thereby avoiding errors in one's training HR. (Cardiac patients and prescription drug use are exceptions). Now-- you REALLY won't be an exercise enthusiast;) I will point out that most people do not get enough activity in their daily life to stay healthy. While you, I, my mom might not have weight problems or chronic health complaints, I can assure you that the chronic health issues adults and children have here in the USA are often a result of poor daily diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Yes-- I'm sure those experienced vegan monks on the mountain-tops are doing fine with "just this", but for those of us who live in the norm world, such is not the case. If others here want to argue otherwise, be my guest-- I'll be out preparing my winter garden. I agree that biking is great fun, and mode of transit. I didn't drive for several years after my accident, and I got used to mass transit , bikes and walking. I am very environmentally-conscious, though I am terrible when it comes to using plastic. I remember once that I was running on a country road passing some farms.. I watched in horror as a crop duster came by and dumped chemicals on a crop--and me. Its a given I would have been much healthier if I had stayed home with a piece of cheesecake in front of the TV. But you are correct that taking care of small children does indeed qualify as heavy labor;) I will look over those links and add more later. While the above may be thought of as off-topic, I think all of life is zen for me. It is the attitude I bring to each activity that makes it so . I'll check back later as surely Ed has his own blog on exercise prescription. Have a super day.. Kristy
--- On Mon, 11/15/10, Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> wrote: From: Chris Austin-Lane <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Re: FW: Amazon book To: [email protected] Date: Monday, November 15, 2010, 6:58 PM On Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 5:14 PM, Kristy McClain <[email protected]> wrote: Chris, To the contrary. I do not recommend Big Mind , necessarily. In fact, I have said here that it is not a process that works for me. It seems a bit like group therapy, but not about zen. I know it well, as I have a home in UT, (though I live in CA). Gempo Roshi's zen center is just two miles from my home there. I did attend many meditation groups , classes and even a few retreats there.. I am friends with Diane Musho Hamilton, and she received her transmission from Gempo Roshi. Actually, I have been critical of this teaching model in the past, but now-- Well, I truly feel that there are different methods that work for different personalities and cultures. So, if one finds Big Mind meaningful, thats okay by me. I don't believe in one recipe. I do think it may attract people who would not normally include zen, or any spiritual practice in their lives. If so, then, I think there is a benefit to society at large. I would be interested then in your response to his criticism of Big Mind and a general tendency in the West to make zen easier and more palatable to people that don't want to do the irritating work of sitting daily. He even insists on lotus or half-lotus - no chairs at his retreats! And Brad does not merely not recommend Big Mind, but uses rather strong language to condemn it. He seems rather upset at the idea of people thinking that a few hours of anything purchasable can replace years of daily zazen. His blog is here: http://www.hardcorezen.blogspot.com/ He is one of the very large category of things and people I enjoy but don't really recommend to others. I think he is an enjoyable writer who seems to manifest a long experience with non-dual ways of living, but he also enjoys writing stuff that pisses people off. I mentioned athlete, as you seem to be a cyclist, and you mentioned how poignantly your sweat cools on your shirt. Cycling is great for non-athletes - way fewer calories/mile than walking. The sweat on my back comment was my attempt at "Just this" - I was at the time typing on a phone and a bit sweaty (it is a very warm fall here in northern California). As I sit zazen more, this stance to is generally softening up, but I've always styled myself as anti-exercise; normal life can provide all the physical activity our bodies demand. This stance was more true when I stayed at home with the kids than as a computer programmer, and I did just bike up to a smallish mountain merely for the fun of it, so perhaps I'm not really anti-exercise any more. I was going to add that I was very impressed. Not only are you getting exercise, you are reducing your carbon footprint, and saving trees by using an e-reader;) That is really why I bike, the carbon foot print thing; that and I really don't enjoy driving at all. Biking is fun in the way that 12 year olds have fun. And for distances up to about 5 miles it is basically as functional as a car, and way way less work than walking. And more free than mass transit. I will definitely look at the book your children enjoy. Might be a fun surprise for my nephew. Sit Down and Shut Up is in no way suitable for kids - my kids just liked the title (no doubt because normally shut up is forbidden to them). They love to tell me to sit down and shut up when it's time for me to sit. The full title is Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, & Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye I found it to be an interesting and well informed (by experience and knowledge of Japanese Zen) commentary on Shobogenzo, as well as very funny. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sit_Down_and_Shut_Up Yours in typing, --Chris
