Lost Coin Class Notes June 24, 2008

Business:

If folks are new, or have money queries, contact Patricia.
Rakusus have arrived, see Rebecca.

Daniel (D) will soon be stopping his lecturing at the Zen Center.

D says in a year he may move to San Francisco, but would keep our Salt Lake group going by flying in for a weekly day of sitting, interviews and teaching.

D requests a simpler or more direct way to get notes to foreign students.  Feels listserv is complicated.

Discussion?

Question asked on whether Big Mind is a means Roshi has created to help students relate (I apologize if I quote wrong here folks).  D responds that Roshi may likely be frustrated with semi-traditional means of teaching not allowing students to break through certain psychological elements.  As well, this is a means to reach out to a larger audience.  D prefers more to relate one on one or smaller groups as opposed to the large?  preferring to take a group and develop more thoroughly.

Debra mentions how her work (as hospital chaplain) is practice, and it is showing up in how she relates more honestly with family.

Joan mentions a lifting of resistance.  And thereafter more able to be in things, and it is great.  D mentions that sometimes we just have trouble starting (procrastination), that it is not the thing/activity we are holding back from beginning that is the problem? once we start, it is great.

Marcy notes that over the 6 months in the group that she notices better being able to be present with her family.

D mentions that 4th way assists students to have perspective on selves differently or more than Zen students.  We may gain perspective on selves and enlightenment, as opposed to enlightenment with no perspective.

D mentions a question he had received on some point in Buddhist theory, and thinking how the student would be better to contemplate rather how irritating he/she was and how it affects those around.   Emphasizes we are combining both Zen emphasis on enlightenment and perspective on self with 4th way and Tibetan methods on how to live life, be in harmony, see self, have choice.

D mentions he both wants us to work towards longer sitting, as well as recognizing he doesn?t want our sitting to be in a militant atmosphere.

Someone mentions a family member with addiction issues, and opening up to let this person be.  D suggests that being an addict is not bad? the worse thing for the addict is discovering something wonderful that he or she cannot have?

Paul mentions how sometimes he will be full with working on being present, conscious, aware and spends less time on the exercises.  D suggests putting time aside to directly contemplate the exercises or questions we are given, and that writing responses will help.

D moves into his subject for the night?  Notes that folks want to jump straight to 100% from zero, that this is impossible so we stay where we are.  Instead suggest we look at ourselves and in so doing be better able to see others (this step is still way before ?great compassion?).

Look at how well we are playing our game. What do we want? What do we really want to play?  This is hard to solve but really instrumental.

1)  Where do you want to go?

Not as a theory but as a core feeling, something that when you are doing it you really like it, spend time doing it and it goes well.  This may be something we do instead of doing what we are ?supposed? to be doing.  D brings up that he encourages us to do arts? that he plays chess and has a teacher, but doesn?t want to be pro or to make it all he is passionate about? he does it to learn about life but not as true passion.  That is, there may be many things we like but this is not necessarily our true passion or core thing.  Again, D brings up music? where he was only able to practice up to 3 hours per day, he sees others able to do so for 9 hours.

2) How hard are you trying?

Do your best.

Arlene notes how she sees endurance as a factor in success, moving steady in a direction, not questioning? knowing that that is what one is going to do no matter what.  D notes this as good news, that it is not how strong you are but how long you can do it without quitting.

D lasted.  15 years with 4th way, 25 years with Zen? even though he often hated it.

Rebecca asks Daniel how the fact he says he hated the practice ties in with his core.  D defines his core as loving development and learning, not any one aspect.  So he went deep and explored, and in so doing had spiritual experiences that he could not forget? that he couldn?t break away from.  We all have natures, and this is different than a core.  D has a spiritual nature but his core is learning / development.

? so go deep and see what you really like, then see if you are doing it as much as you can?  mentions creation of beauty, excellence, learning as potential cores...

D says he does projects.  Diverse, but likes to finish things.

3)  Are you doing it no or are you putting it off?

4)  Are you really being you?

D isn?t pushing us towards some ideal personality? wants to train us but within our personality.  Don?t waste time trying to be someone else.  We will see ourselves when we are making a true difference.  Others may just perceive us as being nicer, more efficient.  Not robot like.  Don?t try to look a certain way.  Do it in a non fearful and effortless way.  All of this works better with a quiet mind, balancing work on what we do with work on who we are.

We aren?t getting any younger?  Remember?  we don?t want our mantra to be, ?if only, if only, if only? dead.?
