Charles, Thanks for your excellent reply. It did answer most of my questions on Paganism, what it means to you and how you integrate it with what you call zen.
In fact I think many on this forum should take special note of your post, especially in the way you combined outside resources (a link)and written responses embedded in the reply. Too often some of our participants just post links with no explanation of what they are or why anyone should visit them, and most importantly what they themselves think about the topic. As you've probably learned by now I do not agree with your assertion that zen addresses things spiritual, but hope we will get more of a chance to discuss this important point further. Again, welcome to the forum...Bill! --- In [email protected], Charles Gee <gee512@...> wrote: > > Greetings: > Bill asked: > > "Just what does "follow the yearly round of my ancestors" mean? What > does it entail?" > > Please use the following link: > > http://www.zenpagan.org/files/Celebrations.html > > See no point in redoing work already done with regard to the first part > of the question. As for,"What does it entail" That is a bit of a story. > > I came to Zen by a roundabout route of numerous religions and a deep > depression when I quit Jehovah's Witnesses and became a sort of Atheist. > I started reading and stumbled upon Zen. Living and working at that time > on Haida Gwaii I was stuck on the Island so there was no hope of going > out for instruction thus I I sat and looked at the wall for 3 years or > so for around 4 hours a day. I managed to get some facility in Zen and > in particular Shikantaza. Counting breath was the start of course, Koans > were interesting but with no one to talk with a bit pointless, but > Shikantaza I could comprehend and self monitor. > > I am a made Witch and found that I like ritual and performance but being > also an Atheist I continue as a Solitary. How do I follow the Yearly > Round? I become very aware of the day and of the progression of the > seasons. I stop and enjoy deeply the cherry blossoms, I sit in wonder at > the Magnolia blooming outside my window. I check out the Moon and am > aware of the birds as they migrate. I purchase food grown locally and in > season. I make a point of doing something special on the equinox and > solstice as well as cooking for Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain. > Probably my favorite time is the 12 days at the turn of the year > starting with December 21 and culminating on January 1st - 3 feasts 21st > for the Solstice, 25th for the return of the Sun, and the 1st for the > turn of the Year. Then I diet for a month! > > I have an Anglo Saxon heritage from my mother and a Celtic from my > Father so the Old Germanic rites and rituals have a natural almost > genetic appeal. So Pork features often in the feasting meal. > > Hope that answers Bill's question > > Charles > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
