Lost Coin SLC Class Notes - 1/19/2010

Doen was in SL this evening.

A retreat is being planned for August in the SF area and Doen is considering a six day retreat.

The Monday evening SF group meeting notes will be archived and talks will generally be similar in content.

Doen continued his discussion of negative emotional states and how they are barriers as they create unconscious mechanical behavior.

Long term Zen practice does not necessarily lead to positive behavior as many students and leaders in Zen may continue to behave in cruel or arrogant ways  Past talks have covered FEAR and DISCONTENT. Tonight Doen addressed CLARITY.  The clarity that you believe you have can actually be where you are most stuck.  Sometimes we will not consider alternatives because we believe we have made an investment ie: law school or a relationship and fear change.  A belief that we are invested in and see it as clarity may actually be a place of being stuck.  Consider how life would be different if we let go of our clarity, or investment/belief.

Get unstuck.

Sit Zen.  When belief comes up-let it go..."mind like water".  Let the world reveal itself.  Let go of of clarity of beliefs and assumptions.

In discussing a Koan a number of points were made...'the  great way is not difficult, it avoids picking and choosing (avoids dualism).

"This old monk does not abide in clarity"

Clarity is tying yourself to a hitching-post without a rope.

Fear.

Discontent.

Clarity.

In discussion with the group we looked at passion, often the intensity of youth and the changes that come with age and the deepening that comes with effort, commitment and work.

Don't know where you are stuck?  Ask someone.  Doen will do that for us or do it for each other.  Often what we tell our-self can't be trusted.

Looking for you passion (compelling thirst).   Pay attention to your what your body tells you and what state of living is being experienced.  You don't need to know.
