Rene Dubos...Dr. Dubos...author of "A God Within"

This is a very smart gentleman.  This was written 40 years ago.  Dr. Dubos had great insight into where we were (are) heading as a race.  This book is still quite relevant today.  He was professor emeritus at The Rockefeller University in New York City, a microbiologist and experimental pathologist.  He wrote many important books including “So Human an Animal” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1969.

It starts off with Theology of The Earth.  God of Earth and The Universe.  God who is within us all.  God.

Then…it takes off on a scientific journey on how we as a race are losing sight of what is important.  Understand, this book was written in 1972.  God within us gets lost in most of the book’s scientific and environmental tangents.  Rene’s intentions are good.  He discusses environmental issues that are going to have a serious effect on the near and distant future (and they have 40 years later of course).

Here’s some tidbits…remember he wrote this 40 years ago.

-          "All ancient civilizations have expressed wonderment at the beauty of the Earth.  Technological civilization has created a progressive loss in concern for the beauty of the Earth.  It has been degraded and devalued as has human life."

-          "There is a demon in technology and it was put there by man.  Man will have to exorcise it before man can once again achieve the 18^th century ideal of humane civilized life."

-          "If present trends were to continue for a few more decades  (it has been 4 decades since this was written), mankind will indeed be doomed – not to extinction but to a biologically and emotionally impoverished life."

From T.S. Eliot:

We shall not cease from exploration,
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

Remember this is 1972.  Rene writes: “The means of communication between and within groups are becoming more numerous, varied and efficient (what would he think of all the ways to communicate we have today?)  Yet, paradoxically, the outcomes of this interdependence and ready communication are the lonely crowd and also a pathological cult of personality.”  This could have been written in present time and still would make sense.

“There is something fundamentally irrational in a society which makes the ways of life of its members conform to the efficiency of technological operations, rather than to their individual needs and aspirations.  Efficiency may be an essential criterion of modern technology, but man is not a machine.  Diversity, not efficiency, is the sine qua non of a rich and creative human life.”  This man was way ahead of his time…

Thoreau had faith in man’s potential but little respect for man’s inability to do much with it.  He believed his contemporaries were failures because the true way had been lost a long time ago.  Thoreau hoped that his return to nature, his traveling the road not taken, would help him find a better future and hoped that others would follow.

Peace and clear mind...

Walking Meditation and Other Ways to Meditate

What a concept.  Meditate while walking.  Sounds dangerous...but no, not really.  The concept of walking meditation is using the action of walking as a form of meditation. It allows us to become mindful and aware of who we are, what we do, and how our bodies exist. It gives us an easy point of focus and depending on how aware we are it can be an intense experience.  It gives us something to focus on besides our thoughts.  In seated meditation, one's thoughts can easily sneak in but while walking, you have things to concentrate on that distract you from thinking.  You have to pay attention to the pace of the group so you don't lag behind or walk into the person in front of you.  You can also look around the room or if you are outside, enjoy what is going on around you.  The idea is to not think about the past or future, just experience what is going on RIGHT NOW. 

Once during a walking meditation, we were outside and there were birds chirping and doing their thing.  The instructor said to become the birds.  Picture yourself as the birds.  If you can do it, you will be free of any nonsense in your head.  A friend of mine recently said "stop and smell the roses" so I came back with "stop and be the roses."  Very Zen!

Now I take this one step further.  I spend a great deal of time mountain biking.  What about mountain bike riding meditation?  If I spend my ride stewing about the day's events or other past events or stress about the future, my ride is not going to be very enjoyable.  So, when out riding I like to just stay in the moment.  Nothing else exists but me, the bike and the woods.  I experience nature and its beauty.  This past weekend I saw a pheasant, a house with a crazy amount of exotic birds on the property, turkey vultures, seagulls, I think a partridge but may be wrong on that one, cats, dogs, people and of course all kinds of trails.  Trails that are smooth, rocky, technical, hilly (up and down).  All kinds of good stuff to keep me in the moment and keep me from thinking of anything other than what is going on RIGHT NOW.  Right now thinking is peaceful thinking.

I also came across some tunnels, bridges, old train remnants, the Blackstone River, brooks and ponds and lakes.  The outdoors is a great adventure for me and I like to document my rides with lots of pictures.  Perhaps too many pictures as my rides seem to be getting shorter and the amount of pictures is increasing.  I want to get a nice digital SLR.  I also want to ride more.  It's all about balance.

Back to walking meditation.  I can do this at work.  At mid-day it makes a great stress reliever.  I used to walk during the day and think about all the "stuff" that was driving me crazy.  Whether it was work stuff or life stuff.  Now I have learned to think of nothing while I walk at work.  I just pay attention to my walk and the things I come across.  This is how to take a break and relax: DON'T THINK ABOUT ANYTHING BUT THE MOMENT.  Otherwise, how are you going to relax?  Thinking about the past doesn't help you relax and sweating the future doesn't help you relax so, STOP DOING IT! 

Working out at the gym can be meditation also.  Just think about the exercises and do them.  Look around and soak up the atmosphere but leave the un-productive thoughts at the door.  When you are at the gym, life's "stuff" does not exist.  It is just you and your workout(s).  It's you and the others there and their workouts.  It's the music, the noise, the sweat.

True Zen Masters are supposedly in a meditative state all the time.  This simply means they are ALWAYS living in the moment.  This is a tough thing to achieve, but the closer you can get, the happier and closer to serentiy you will be!

Peace!  Clear your mind!

A Humbling Six Hours of Meditation Retreat

Most of what you carry around isn't "you."  Most of what the world sees of me isn't "me." - Zen of Ken

Spent seven hours at the Zen Center yesterday, maybe the nicest day of the year so far.  Sunny, warm and wonderful.  A great day to be outside doing anything.  I spent most of that time inside meditating.  Nancy was the Dharma teacher running the show.  There were a couple people from the Kwan Um school in Lexington and four from the one in Barnstable, a kid from Franklin and then some residents and regulars.  A very good group of people. The kid from Franklin was a bit stressed out but we all had our reasons for being there. 

I had my first interview with Dharma teacher, Nancy, from Charlestown, RI.  Nothing of interest to tell there.  I had no profound questions to ask or questions on anything I am struggling with.  So, she just suggested I breathe with my abdomen not my chest…I’ll have to read up on this but practiced it.  I guess it is a more relaxing way to breathe?  I guess I should have asked her.  I had plenty to talk about but the words didn’t come to me.  I’m still a serious newbie. 

Six hours is a long time to meditate especially when you can look outside all day and see how sunny and know how warm it is.  A great way to spend half the day with no worries and no thoughts, however.  No stress with no yesterday and no tomorrow.  Live for what is going on NOW.  That’s what we did today.  That is Zen!

The day started at 9:00 with all of us on the retreat meeting at the Zen Center in Cumberland, RI.  We got some instruction, put on our robes and headed for the dharma room.  Seated meditation started at 9:30.  We did 25 minutes, then 10 walking, 25 more seated, etc.  Six hours is definitely a challenge for anyone's knees, including mine. 

We did do one walking meditation outside in the woods around the property and sat for one 25 minute session in a circle in a clearing around a fire pit.  It was sunny and warm.  It would have been nice to spend the whole day outside.  There was a swampy pond outside and it was full of frogs making their spring noises (early for that but we've had great weather and everything appears to be happening early when it comes to the outdoors).  There are a lot of trails on the property and I have been told I can ride them on my bike.  I just have to stay away from the monastery and around 3:00 the monks do a walking meditation outside and they are to be left alone and given their distance.

We ended the day with a few chanting meditations and then a late lunch.  Everyone's stomaches were growling towards the end as we were all hungry, having had no food since breakfast (whatever we all ate before we showed up).  There was quite a feast: salad, cole slaw made with fruit (yummy), soup, lasagna, rice, water.  We all got to discuss how the day was for us.  Everyone was being positive except the young kid from Franklin who said the day "sucked" for him.  He made us all laugh as he was being a bit tongue in cheek (yet brutally honest).  Like everything, nothing always works and not always going to be a good experience. I don't know what his journey is so don't know why it was a bad day for him.

It was a good day for me.  Peaceful.  Nice to not think for most of that beautiful day.  I had no great revelations or anything regarding my meditations.  Just peace and the past and future did not exist during that pleasant day.  While inside we heard birds singing and the same when outside.  I also saw a male and female Cardinal doing their spring thing.  And again, the frogs.  All of God's creatures were living in the now, not thinking about anything but the moment.  I rode home in silence.

God bless and I hope everyone reading this has a good and pleasant week!

Don't Think...Chew Bones!

Eckhart Tolle.  I love this guy.  A new friend emailed me recently and this quote of his was on her signature line:

“Just as the dog loves to chew bones, the human mind loves it’s problems. We get lost in doing, thinking, remembering, anticipating – lost in a maze of complexity and a world of problems. Nature can show us the way home…”

This reminds me of a recent post of mine:  "The Zen of Simon."  We can indeed learn a lot from nature.  Man used to to be one with nature and most of us have lost our way.  We are sadly caught up in technology and toys and other material things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things.  We are destroying our planet, running out of something as simple as fresh drinking water.  Never mind things like "pink slime" and other things we are eating.  Most of our food is processed, removing most if not all the nutrients.  Most of our food is controlled and poisoned by companies like Monsanto, a chemical company.  I am going to stop here because this is all for another discussion at another time.

I was aware of the book "The Power of Now" but I was not aware of who the author was and not aware of much about him.  From Wikipedia: In 2011, he was listed by the Watkins Review as the most spiritually influential person in the world.  In 2008, a New York Times writer called Tolle "the most popular spiritual author in the nation [United States]."

I feel blessed to have come across this man and now plan to read his books (I read a lot....always reading at least one book and am currently reading three).  When you open yourself up for God to do His will, it's amazing what can happen.  I recognized immediately that Eckhart had studied Zen.  He has studied many religions and philosophies but appears to lean heavily towards Zen Buddhism.  Fantastic.

I have been going to the Providence Zen Center for just over a month now and already can see and feel that I am changing.  I don't want to dive too heavily into it yet (I don't want to get ahead of myself) but am going to a day retreat there on Sunday which should be "enlightening."  I will have a chance to have an interview/private meeting with the Zen Master.  This is important to me as I want her to know who I am and why I am there.  I also want guidance and help. 

Meditate and clear your mind so you can find peace.  I am looking for peace, for a less stressful life free of anxiety and fear.  I also want to be a better person so I can do a better job of helping the people in my life and people in general.  I already feel God is helping me. 

Don't think...chew bones!

Kwan Seum Bosal

Kwan Seum Bosal (phonetic Korean).  Meaning: one who "perceives the cries of the world” and responds with compassionate aid; the bodhisattva of compassion.

Mother Teresa of course comes to mind immediately.  This woman's soul may have found Nirvana after it lived as Mother Teresa.  This woman is more amazing than I even understand.  I should have done some research before sitting down here. I know what I know not from making an effort to read about it.  I know what I know from the TV and word of mouth.  I suppose it does't matter where it comes from but I have made a mental note to add a book of hers or one about her to my list for the year. 

I am by no means trying to compare myself to Mother Teresa in this post.  However, I do sometimes perceive the cries of the world.  I carry a lot more than just my own pain around.  I had to recently unfriend a friend on facebook because of the images of abused dogs she was posting.  I understand she was trying to get people to realize how bad it can be (it can be real bad for humans also) but these images were graphic and the last two were enough for me.  I shudder thinking about it right now and wish I wasn't thinking about those dogs and all the abused dogs, animals and people in the world.  The world can be beyond horrible, beyond what most of us can even imagine.  Too much of it is bad.  What do we do about it?  I've had bad stuff happen in my life.  You have in yours.  Is there a difference?  Or do we both need to get beyond it and understand that life is much more than this life and body we currently inhabit?   I know it's easier said than done and for some, much harder than others.  I am terrible at it.

I carry around everything that has happened since I was nine when my brother died.  That's forty years of stuff dragging me down.  Then I carry around all the serious "stuff" happening in the world like senseless wars, brutal hunger and abuses of people.  Human beings.  What are we as a race?

I don't know.  Only don't know.  Anyway, Mother Teresa,  essentially a Bodhisattva (a Buddha that has taken human form to relieve mankind from suffering), gave herself completely to help as much of the world as she possibly could in her lifetime.  Is there anyone in our lifetime we can compare her to?  I don't think so...not even close.  Ghandi?  He was cool.  Another one I haven't really studied so should not give an opinion on at this time.  On my list as we speak of books to read, something about him or by him...perhaps both.  Anyone else?

My point?  I honestly don't know.  It is just rare to find such a human as Mother Teresa.  A true Kwan Seum Bosal.

The Zen of Simon

Simon (my ragdoll) is very Zen.  He spends much of his time meditating as you can see here.  He definitely lives in the now.  Now he wants to nap…so he naps.  When he wants to he will: eat, drink water, clean, stare at me, walk around the house talking and so forth.  He focuses on the task at hand.  He follows the just do it philosophy. 

He’s not carrying around any baggage.  He doesn’t feel bad about the smell of the bombs he drops in the litter box.  He carries no ill will towards Carly (our other cat who’s half his size) even though she regularly jumps him and bites him.  He carries no remorse for the many times he has jumped on top of her, pinning her down. 

He’s not concerned about what will be after this nap.  He is napping therefore he is napping.  Nothing else.  Clear mind.  The future will be.  He is not concerned by it.  We humans have the ability to think ourselves into a nervous breakdown.  Simon epitomizes “no worries.”  We humans could learn a lot from cats.

Meditation to Find Serenity - Clear Mind

I learned a mistake I was making prior to coming to the Providence Zen Center.  I have been meditating for over 11 years...maybe 12.  I believe meditation is for receiving answers from God.  Prior to the last few weeks, I would meditate and look for the answers.  If you're looking, you're mind is not clear.  So now, I understand the purpose of meditation is to keep the mind clear.  No thoughts.  Looking for answers = thinking.  Zen = no thinking. 

So, I have learned that meditating is to clear the mind of everything: no thoughts.  When the mind is completely clear, the answers will come (the receiver is on).  This happened to me this past Wednesday night. I meditated for a total of 2 hours.  I am sure I wasn't clear much of that time, but I was clear for some of it (and I will be more clear as I get better).

During that clarity, brought on by a clear mind, I was able to get an answer.  The answer was "get rid of the noise in your head...both literal and figurative."  Carrying around hate, fear, guilt, self-doubt, etc....this is all noise keeping us from being happy and serene, not allowing us to be compassonate and patient.

Now, you could easily ask "Well, what was the question?"  Essentially, the question was "How can I find true serenity?"  I didn't receive a text book on the subject from God. I got one piece of a puzzle that is unlikely to be finished when I die but, the more we get rid of noise and the closer we get to true serenity, the more happy we will be.  Nirvana shouldn't be the goal just like seeking answers isn't the goal.  Nirvana will come some day when it is time.  Answers will come when you are clear and when it is time.  We have to live in the now.  Now I have to go to the store so, go to the store.  Now, I am going to read so go read.  Now I am going to the gym, so go to the gym and workout.  Now I'm going to work, so go to work and work when you get there.  Now I'm going to meditate, okay, empty your mind. No thoughts or opinions.  Just do it.  If you're going to do anything, do it right and to the best of your ability.  That is Zen. 

Zen is also similar to the show Seinfeld.  It's about nothing!  When I say "nothing," I mean nothing in your mind = clear mind = when you will get your answers.  The more clear your mind, the more serenity you will find.

The more hours the mind is clear, the more serene you will be.  The more you will be able to help others will compassion and patience (and love).  Clear mind really forces one to live in the "now."  That was over-used at one point I think but it is true.  The time we spend having guilt, hate, anger etc. from the past fogs up our heads and is killing us. The time we spend dreading the future, fearing the future etc. makes us anxious and is killing us.  Keeping the mind clear keeps us in the now.  No baggage from the past and no concerns about what the future will bring = serenity.

Clear mind = serenity!

Eating With The Buddhists

Had a great night last night at the Zen Center.  Ate dinner with the group for the first time.  We had a humble meal of soup (which was delicious, spicy) and rice (sticky brown rice) and water to drink.  Was nice to sit with some of the members and chat.  It's hard to feel uncomfortable at this place when everyone is so nice and mellow.  After their bowls are empty, they put tea in them and drink it as a way to clean the bowl and get every bit of food.  Interesting practice.  I did it.  We prayed before the meal and after.  We sat on the floor just like the picture above.

I then sat and relaxed in the common area while waiting for the first meditation, a chant.  I read a bit from "Only Don't Know" while I was waiting.  It is a collection of letters to a Zen Master.  I read a letter from a gentleman that was in prison.  He sent it to the Zen Master.  He was studying Zen in prison and wanted to know how he could learn more.  The Zen Master had a great answer.  He said that prison is a great place to practice Zen because his body is incarcerated but his mind is not.  You don't need the body for Zen.  It's about the mind, clearing the mind, not thinking.  The prisoner also wanted suggestions on what to read.  The Zen Master said it wasn't necessarily good to read about Zen and not necessarily bad.  That is Zen.  No opinion.

Here's a kong-an for you:  You are tied to a tree and bound and holding on to a branch only with your teeth.  If you let go, you will hang yourself.  Your master comes along and asks you a question.  You must answer or you will be shot.  If you answer, you die because you end up hanging yourself.  If you don't answer, you will die because you will be shot.  How do you answer without dying?

I don't know the answer.  Not knowing, not having an opinion is Zen.  My gut tells me to answer the question and be the master of your own destiny.  Buddhists believe in reincarnation anyway so the belief is we are always here and eventually no longer need to come back as human (when one reaches Nirvana).  So, you answer and you don't really die.  There is no right answer and needing to be right is not Zen.  So...

Chant meditation started at 6:30 and went for an hour.  I'm getting better at my bows.  Not any better at chanting but only my second time.  The idea is to not think about anything but the chant and I for sure can only think about the chant as I don't know them well.  They are in Korean and we have a chant book that gives phonetic pronunciations.  There is one chant that is in English.

I then sat in on an hour of seated meditation.  25 minutes seated, 10 minutes walking meditation and then another 25 seated.  The walking in between helps get the circulation back in your legs and feet.  It was a good night.  The meditation ending with the young lady who led the seated meditation discussing the importance of God in our lives.  This made me feel more certain that I am hanging out at the right place.

I rode home in silence (no radio on in the car).  Makes no sense to deal with noise after all of that quiet time.  Speaking of noise: we have too much noise in our lives both literally and figuratively.  I have noticed recently that many days I come home from work with my ears ringing.  This is from the day's noise and the cranked radio on the ride home doesn't help.  Then there is all the crap in our heads which, to me, is also noise.  My goal is to get rid of a lot of that noise and find a more peaceful place in general (not ocassionally). 

Reduce the noise and get closer to God!