Class Notes   January 30, 2007



Daniel had recently returned from nine days in the Netherlands where he experienced a difficult and rewarding teaching and training retreat.  


Tonight we will begin to address Buddhist stages of development.  Classically there are five.  Daniel presented six or maybe it was seven.  


Stage One (Daniels addition)

This stage permeates all other stages and is mixed in and flavors the other stages.  If we move to the other stages without being really clear about ourselves, the other stages will be corrupted by our lack of true self-understanding.

Really understanding whom you think you are:  personality, strengths, weaknesses, who you think you are, who you are stuck in being as an individual

This includes Negative Emotions or as Jung referenced, your shadow side.   We need to address the parts of our personality/self, which we deny and dont see or dont wish to see.  This is related to our Chief Feature, which can be considered as the most consistent thing we dont see.

We are holding at the first Stage for a reason.  One is to be really extensive and clarify things.  Careful examination of all of this will make your life easier and better. 

See Homework Exercise at the end of these notes.



Stage Two

A Glimpse or   Kensho   (Japanese reference)

This stage is about awareness and of seeing a glimpse of ones true nature, a glimpse of enlightenment.  
The Chinese symbol for enlightenment is the symbol of the sun on top of the moon.  Thus suggesting the inclusion of everything: the ability to see everything exactly as it is, suggests enlightenment.
This stage is not yet totally objective, as we tend to filter it through our personal prejudices.  We have the ability to create greater clarity for ourselves by regularly practicing meditation.
Most people see the world through relative terms. Some have had a glimpse into the world of non-duality, where all thing are one-thing and undifferentiated.  This transcends words.  Oft times when one does have a glimpse, one develops a tremendous ego about itone thinks that they see something that no one else has seen.  One can easily get stuck in ego regarding their glimpse of enlightenment.

Stage Three

Surrender or Submission 

At this stage, one begins to develop a deep relationship with ones teacher.  Without a formal teacher, ego will be your teacher.  The learning is about first really letting go of ego (self) in favor of someone else.  All of ones submission causes doubt and you will develop great doubt about ones teacher.  We forget that our teacher has gone through this experience himself or herself, yet they dont act or bring up their experience.  This process is similar to the good parent allowing ones adolescent to experience individuation through a loving but loose connection.  In the long run, studying with a teacher is both horrible and wonderful.


Stage Four

The Great Death

This is the first time you can see the world around you without the eyes or your personal self.  This phase is also referred to as union or spiritual experience and you may experience this more than once.


Stage Five

Spiritualized

Individuals who are at this stage may again be difficult to e around, not because of their ego, but because they are empty and may be indifferent to personal suffering.


Stage Six

Choosing the Human Path


One returns to being a regular human being. Rather than just being born a human being, one chooses to be a human being.  Should you choose this, one never forgets the stages beforeone consciously chooses to not be stuck in the previous stages.


Last Stage:  Integration  

 This stage goes on forever.  This is a spiritual-human experience, like lovers who dance closer and closer, going on forever, intertwined infinitely.

Recommended Reading

Riding the Oxcart Home-The Ten Stages of Zen Practice
By John Daido Loori

Wherever you think you are on the pathmove back two pictures.  Help yourself dissolve ego.

Homework:  Working the First Stage 

Write down who you are.  Everything you know about self and personality
Take your time
Get it right
See your Self clearly
It should make you separate a little from self/ego

What you dont see, the unacknowledged only hurts you.
 Look at the psychological and spiritual aspect of self that are denied.  These suppressed parts of us, which we dont give voice to, are running our lives entirely.  The innumerable disavowed Is working together form a complex (Jung).

My Goal:  Arrange your schedule so that you can attend every meeting.  Be here every time.  Continue to attract others who can commit to the group and their own growth.


Develop and commit to a consistent meditation practice




In Class Exercise:

Divide into two groups.  In concentric circles, face each other.
Taking turns
Say something you see about the other that is positive.  Take time to elaborate.
Very briefly, make a quick and crystallized statement identifying an area where you think the other person needs to grow.
Dont take things too seriously if receiving random statements.  Pay attention however, if you begin to hear repetitive comments or discern a theme.

The result from participating in this exercise was human beings willing to relate on a more real and open basis.  We heard the positive and shadow side from someone we trusted.  There was a willingness to connect on a 1:1 basis and be in the moment.  It is natural for us to be closer than we allow ourselves to be with each other.  Start telling the truthstart developing your emotions.  We are learning to be more intimate.  Find the thread that can help you.  The warrior in you is brave enough to see the truthbe willing to overcome yourself.  Look at the thread you need and allow the warrior to arise.  Make a vow with the warrior I.