thank you joe...merle Merle, Seriously, look after yourself well, and be well.
What you say is true, and good. But never disparage intense practice situations, where some people's hearts are once and forever opened. Those are the lucky stars that *I* thank! For myself and others. It is all for everyday life. Else, it is not Zen practice. It is the practice of "Outer Paths". See a few gathas that -- as a sesshin officer of one kind or another, over decades -- I had to recite on sesshin, 7-day intensive secluded retreat. The words should resonate, no matter when or when, or who: EVENING CEREMONY DEDICATION The sky of Samadhi and the moonlight of Wisdom form the temple of our practice; our friends and family members guide us as we walk the ancient path; we dedicate the virtues of reciting Hakuin Zenji's Song of Zazen to: Rinzai Gigen Dai Osho- Hakuin Ekaku Dai Osho- and to the guardians of the Dharma and the protectors of our sacred hall; All Buddhas throughout space and time; all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas; the great Prajna Paramita! THE EVENING MESSAGE (Called out from just outside the dojo- during the ceremony in the evening about 9 PM at the end of each day of sesshin) I beg to urge you everyone: life and death is a grave matter; all things pass quickly away. Each of you must be completely alert; never neglectful, never indulgent. --Joe > Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > Zen is not something to be practised in darkened rooms in silence > > it is in the broad daylight we best can ZEN forth..it is a way of being!..a > way of knowing!...
