Joe, Must admit that I haven't done much formal Zen practice for a long time. The last time in Australia was with Ian Sweetman Sensei (Ross B was in Hawaii) and somewhat occasionally in Sanshoji temple in Nara and even more infrequently in various temples around Kyoto. I began participating in the S.N Goenka Vipassana retreats in Kyoto (10-day retreats) about 3-4 years ago. I am very aware of Sharon Salzberg's and Jack Kornfeld's work but have never met them personally. The teacher who really stands out for me tho, is the late Ayya Khema, a female Therevada nun, whose talks/writings I would highly recommend. So you can see I'm kind of eclectic in my practice (Very much like Alan Watts as I also enjoy the teachings, but to a lesser extent, of Advaita Vedanta, Taoism and Dzogchen). As far as Zen is concerned, I agree with Joko Beck when she says that she would'nt cross the street to attend a talk by a famous Zen master (Meant respectfully, of course). But I feel like a sponge when it comes to listening to the wisdom of Budhha and the masters of Vipassana. I think it was Sharon Salzberg who said that Buddha sorted his problems out 2,500 years ago, now you sort out yours. He certainly gave us the tools.
Mike ________________________________ From: Joe <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, 1 August 2012, 2:03 Subject: [Zen] Re: Chan and zen Mike, And, so, Mike?: have you practiced with zen teachers and sanghas? Attended 7-day sesshin? Your spontaneous awakening is like Alan Watts's, by the way (see his autobiography: IN MY OWN WAY (he was staring into his mom's fireplace, I think). --Joe PS I think I gather that you have practiced in Vipassana circles; and afterwards, or concurrently, Zen circles? True? Any teachers to name? I know a few Vip. teachers. > mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: > > Joe, > > Oh yes, talk about the 'moonlight' of Wisdom and the crystal-like purity of > objects is no artistic license. [snip]
