Lost Coin Notes - 12/28/10

Doen's discussion today focuses on the negative part of our emotional center.
After this evening talk , small groups are to discuss what is the most dominant negative emotion in our life and how that plays out in our life (work, family, relationships, life...)
We may believe we make decisions from our intellectual center but we actually act unconsciously from our emotional center.
Carlos Castaneda said our best adviser is death sitting on our shoulder to remind us that we are just "passing through" this life.
Zen practice is "embracing"  this reality.  Everyone will die, we live life on a moving vehicle and practice is to become one with that reality.
 
To be one with life, coasting down a river, time is unstoppable>  Go with it because it is the only show in town.
Maezumi Roshi shouts "Appreciate your Life", this life.  EMBRACE and be one with this life of yours.  Really be in the reality of your life even though non-reality seems more stable, we are in flight right now.
 
Be mature about life, do not wish for magical solutions.  Sit with your life.  Go where concepts stop.  Remember that our ideas about life are mostly fear.  We do not want to go with the flow because we sense "all will end".  It will.
Wave is ocean, ocean is wave.  Appreciate that your mind is Buddha mind.
 
Joan asked Doen to clarify will and aim versus "going with the flow".  Doen said they sound as if they would conflict but they do not.  In AA an individual realizes "what can not change" and free up energy to change what can be changed.
 
Negative emotional centers include realizing how being mad can be an energy drain and being angry can be part of being a victim.  Being sad is part of being human.  Being deeply involved and engaged with life is a life worthwhile.  This is Lost Coin Zen practice, modern zen involved with excellence in life, science, art...
 
Death can be our greatest counselor, death tells you the truth, it reminds you that you are a traveler.  Impermanence is the law Death is truth, the amazing journey is the "magical" reality.  We don't know what happens and our mind may tell us that is the grim reality but that is our thought, our fear.  Floating down the river is also excellent.  Feel into the negative emotion and then feel letting go...
 
Small groups discussed negative emotions in certain situations.  These included anger, resentment, being critical --of judging and of being judged, fear of intimacy, distance, defensiveness--uncalled for and not based in reality, control--i have to be right.  People in some areas of the world "move on with life" better then we do. We box off death/fear.  When we "really get it" life can be fuller and we can have more gratitude.  Remember when I am being "mechanistic" and realize when another person or group is be "mechanistic"--be more forgiving.  Commit to self-change.
 
Also
1.   Doen is asking members to volunteer for service to 2 individuals, one women who is loosing her vision and would like some one to read to her and also an individual who is in prison an would like support in practice.
2.   Caryn is producing a member newsletter, Elena will forward.
3.   Flyer's for the Park City Retreat are ready to be distributed.
