SF Lost Coin Notes
January 3 2011


For the New Year, Daniel wanted to bring some things together for the group.

At a certain point in Zen practice (8th century China), there were all kinds of religion. When they heard about Zen and the historical Buddha, they put it into a religious system. He wasn't interested in that – others were. To help, someone said “Mind is Buddha.” No beginning, no end. Your mind – not the thoughts. Another teacher said this: “No mind, no Buddha.” This has less limitations. “Wisdom is not the way.” Where are we when we take it all away? We're going to a place where concept doesn't exist.

As an example, people had decided that the planets travelled around the world. They couldn't really see what was real because of their perception. The greatest tool is a lack of understanding. It keeps you going deeper and deeper. What happens when you do? You see that you are not separate from anything.

What does this imply? Our thoughts come through a lack of consciousness. If you're not conscious, you have no choice. It becomes mechanical. You can have a very deep experience (Kensho) and that you are the universe itself. However, this is already inside you. Daniel doesn't teach us this. It's not his job to make us sit. It's really up to us. It's up to us to sit.

Without the “I Am,” you have very little choice.

The Three Centers. We do things for emotional reasons, like we're scared. Can we break a small piece off for the new year, and look at a chunk? Be conscious of negative emotions. Notice that you're doing something because you're afraid. Don't kick yourself in the butt about it – just notice. People are chasing goals they can't attain, and are angry.  What's happening to us isn't our fault – that's what we think. But, you are the one making these thing happen. It's the basis of our practice – that we are empowered. We are the people doing it. This is very powerful.

Going into the new year, it's up to you. The main thing getting in our way is fear or blame. Notice it.

There's no end to this road. We all have a lot to learn. It can make your life beautiful. And we can be kind and sensitive to others. What you want empowers you – you have to remember this. Don't be taken over by fear. Sometimes a teacher empowers you when you can't do it yet.