29
Oct

By: Shodo

Comments: 2

MWA Newsletter, Zen, -  Oct 29, 2023

Finding peace and bringing peace

I write to you in peace, during war in the Middle East and an ongoing catastrophe in American government.

Listening to the shouting about the disaster in Israel and Palestine, about atrocities and genocide, I recall that there has never been a country where Jews were safe, and that Muslims have been a target for a long time. Beyond that, I will not bring my opinions here. (You’re welcome to ask me personally, or check my facebook page.)

If we are to be of use, rather than part of the problem, we need to calm down and remember who we are. We belong to the family of life, to the ongoing co-creation of everything that is called Indra’s Net.

We have some ways to help us remember that.

The core practice of Zen Buddhism is sitting meditation, zazen, and the practice of taking a long retreat to allow the body and mind to settle down (away from both news and projects) and recover their wholeness, to allow the universe to create us even as we recognize that we also create what is around us in an ever-cycling relationship.

I invite you to join me in Rohatsu sesshin, December 1-7, for whatever part of it you’re able to attend. Register here.  I said a few words about it here.

For questions about sesshin or about anything I said, email me to set up a conversation.

While Rohatsu sesshin is usually a gathering of long-time practitioners, I’m inviting newcomers as well – and that means I’m willing to support you by explaining and by answering questions.

May our practice help the earth turn, even though it always does. May our practice help humans remember what humanity is, even though we often forget. My all beings be happy, joyous, and safe.

With love,

Shodo Spring

for Mountains and Waters Alliance

2 Comments
  1. Lynn

    Beautiful. My pain is not so very much the wars because the wars were inevitable, given that we have not responded to the specific requirement of the biosystem for our balanced population. So I have known for 20 or more years that his time would come if we were not willing to sacrifice some of our pleasures to the future of human-kind. My pain is that I know the corposystem will use these events, may even have instigated them, to once again redirect our attention away from the needs of the biosystem. And that I know we will let that happen, as we always have. People are horrified that I find the needs of the biosystem more important than the growth of the corposystem at a time when we can not have both. Because I care more about humanity than I do about our false ideals. How can that be wrong?

    Reply
    • Shodo Post author

      Thanks.

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