In developing Lost Coin, what I hope we can do is create a culture. I believe this is close to what Shakyamuni Buddha wanted to do in his time. I hope this culture forgoes prejudice and superstition and, instead, relies on what is provable and at the same time is deeply rooted in the humility of what we do not understand.
Toward that end, I believe we can look at science and Zen as two sides of the same Lost Coin. Through science we can see we are connected to everything. A human and a tree share a common ancestor. We have the stuff of stars in our bodies. On the other side, by the experiential and verifiable method of zazen, we see the field of consciousness from which all thoughts and understanding arise. Science shows us the small transient speck we are in the limitlessness of reality. Zen reveals the absolute consciousness teach one of us possesses that encompasses everything.
We can build a culture of intelligence and consciousness that reveals our identity with all things. Both science and Zen embrace the unknown rather than simply “making believe” that we understand what we do not. Reason and “no mind” are two valuable parts of the mind- they are the two hands of knowledge. A culture that embraces them both may finally help put an end to the medieval thinking that still exists and be the start of a wondrous journey into our real potential.
This is so clear and real. A great way to talk to others new to Zen/Lost Coin. Both are so important: what we truly know and that which we can only know through experience.
I’ve been asking myself what it means to build up a group, and to practice as a group. How can we create an atmosphere of trust? I’ve thought about this a lot, for weeks, if not months, and all that comes out is that I don’t know. I’m really happy that you bring science into play in this post. It reminds that even if I don’t find a universal ‘recipe’ that always works, I have the means (zazen and reason), at hand to find out. Thanks, Sensei!
@Chris
Thank you for this comment. Yes I think we do have the means and I think we share the intention to keep building something meaningful.
As science seeks to discover and explain the secrets behind our universe, Zen reveals this secret with an “all-as-it-is/just-do-it” immediacy.
As a teaching and as a practice, Zen shows us how insight and action are one. The real devil is in the details of mind, including the details that we hide behind in order to feign a kind of moral safety in not trying and not accomplishing things,
This is where I’ve been stuck, but the ethic behind Lost Coin is truly inspiring me. Not only is it not wrong or dangerous to prefer success, joy, and fulfillment in life, it is in fact necessary to engage this preference most actively. Which means *consciously*.
Only when I see I have a choice, can I really make one. And a relatively conscious choice is a relatively intelligent one. It’s also a compassionate, for compassion is none other than an expression of how intelligence looks collectively. And THIS, I can get behind.
THIS is what I feel Lost Coin is all about. And it makes for good culture, which is how we practice and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Thanks Doen, for your endless patience which at times produces immediate results, over and over again.
Love, Katie
I am so happy that there is indeed a 4th talk. These talks are one of my very favorite things in the whole world. thankyou!
@Vicki
Thanks so much for your support. Thank you! Your appreciation gives me energy – its a great exchange.
@ Katie
Thanks Katie for your efforts and persistence as well as your growing understanding and you ability to articulate it. I am very happy you are part of our culture.
@Vicki Thanks so much for your support. Thank you! Your appreciation gives me energy – its a great exchange.
I never could understand how people could believe the fairy tales of traditional religions. It is a comfort to me that I can truly embrace this teaching and have integrity practicing exactly what makes sense to me and be encouraged to question and try it out.
Thank you Doen.
Hello Daniel,
I just finished The Zen of Alice and am visiting your website for the first time.
Thank you so much for your teachings. They have been very inspiring to me and I have been attempting to practice each and every day since I finished your book. I don’t think there is ever going to be a turning back to how things used to be in my life.
Again, my humble gratitude.
P.S. There’s a very small typo in the last sentence of the second paragraph of this post: “Zen reveals the absolute consciousness teach one of us possesses that encompasses everything.” “teach” should be “each”.
@Chris
Hi Chris. I wanted to respond. I don’t believe we have heard from you before. Thank you for this supportive response. I am glad the book was meaningful for you. Please let us hear from you more often.