EmptyCloudWestZen

cataracts and seeing

[AUDIO AND TEXT] I’m having cataract surgery in January, near the end of the month. Both eyes, one week apart. I know this is not a complicated procedure, and most everyone my age will undergo that procedure before it’s all said and done. But the thought of having someone poking around my eyes doesn’t giveContinue reading “cataracts and seeing”

always becoming

[AUDIO AND TEXT] This is going to be really short. Tonight is for sitting, but I’d like us to sit with these thoughts in mind. Recently, the phrase “always becoming” has been echoing in my little brain. It echoes as I drive down the freeway; it clangs about as I’m trying to go to sleepContinue reading “always becoming”

there’s nothing that is not “it”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Everybody is talking about the presidential election, trying to process what happened and even starting to cast blame on one party or the other, one group or the other, one person or the other. That’s happening, but I don’t want to play that game tonight. Tonight, I want to seat us inContinue reading “there’s nothing that is not “it””

melt into the mystery

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Recently, I was perusing a book titled, The Way of Grace: The Transforming Power of Ego Relaxation, written by a spiritual teacher named Miranda Macpherson (Sounds True, 2018). I ran across this book in the home of a really good friend; I read a few pages and then bought a copy forContinue reading “melt into the mystery”

no drive for perfection

[AUDIO AND TEXT] In his book, The Intimate Way of Zen (Shambhala Publications, 2024), James Ishmael Ford Roshi discusses what Buddhists know as the five hindrances. These are tendencies we have that can distract us from our spiritual practice, both on the cushion and off. They are: He reminds us that these are natural tendencies,Continue reading “no drive for perfection”

attachment

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Every now and then, one comes across a nugget that sparks a kind of recognition. Here is one such nugget – a four-line poem titled “Eternity,” penned by the 18th century English poet William Blake: He who binds to himself a joyDoes the winged life destroy:But he who kisses the joy asContinue reading “attachment”

it’s only a point

[AUDIO AND TEXT] I heard a university commencement speech a little while ago, delivered by a champion professional tennis player. In the speech, which the player titled “Tennis Lessons” or some such, the tennis pro basically encouraged the graduating students to “keep on keeping on,” no matter what. (See 2024 Commencement Address by Roger FedererContinue reading “it’s only a point”

the mystical element in zen

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Many of your are aware of the late Fr. Willigis Jaeger, a Benedictine monk from Germany who was, until the end of his life in 2020, the primary teacher of our own Fr. Greg Mayers. An accomplished scholar and priest, Willigis (as he is fondly known) wrote several books on Christian contemplationContinue reading “the mystical element in zen”

seeing through the language

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Whatever spiritual or religious tradition we follow (or don’t follow, as the case may be), it doesn’t have to hinder us in our commitment to see reality and to be real. Notice that I don’t say what’s “true,” because as we’ve learned throughout history, truth can be a matter of opinion. AndContinue reading “seeing through the language”

this brief sermon

[AUDIO AND TEXT] I’ve been re-reading a book titled The Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma, which is a translation by Red Pine of some of this ancient master’s talks given way back in the 5th century (©1987. North Point Press. New York). As you may know, Red Pine is one of the preeminent contemporary translatorsContinue reading “this brief sermon”