Lost Coin SLC Class Notes - 4-6-10

Doen spoke about the work of the small groups.
Who you are is more important than what you know, work with being and being one with what you do.
Appreciate life. 
 
The Ways
Practice
Meditation
Self observation
 
LCZ is applied zen.  Non-monastic zen.  Incorporate your practice into your daily life and use the small groups as a way to apply the ways of LCZ to art and business and being a care give/helper.  Observe being one with what you do.  Investigate the books on the LCZ reading list.  Doen suggested books on Zen and 12th century, Zen and the Way, Zen Culture and The Gurdjieff Work by Kathleen Speeth.
 
The point of the small groups is to integrate the practice of LCZ, create something as a group, and self development.  Go beyond theory and put practice to work.
 
We discussed how everyday is our practice.  It is easy to get stuck in mind chatter if one is not being present in the moment.  During the chatter of dissatisfaction it is easy to focus on the ways I think I must change, as if I am broken.  Remember the "I am" exercise of the 4th way.
 
The monastic life excludes much of the external world.  Our everyday world gives us a massive amount of input and stimulation.
The 4th way rounds out the Zen practice of dropping the self and self observation provides balance.  Discuss our experience in diasan.
Remember how the Way and my Zen practice is tied to everything I do. 
 
Life includes sadness and beauty.  Don't resist.  "...some illusions hurt more then others".