Saturday, December 26, 2009

A Fine Memory

"A Fine Memory", number 169 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In todays miniature, roshi confesses to a poor memory. He describes the tricks he uses to support his memory and how in the end they fail him.

Exactly what is the teaching here?

Is it that old men have poor memories? No. Is it that the tricks we use to hide our failing are all useless? Maybe. Is it that knowing we are naked at all times, it is still fun to play? This feels pretty close.

I'm reading James Krenov's "The Impractical Cabinetmaker" and what strikes me is how Krenov strips away all the jargon and talk of technicalities and advocates trusting our hands much the same way a Zen Master would strip away doubt and self-talk and advocate direct practice. Krenov ponders the problem as he sees it, that many craftsman loose their connection with the material and force their will on it. This leads to disasters of failure in design and execution all for the sake of showiness.

"Snagged in the pros and cons of technicalities we forget the broader meaning of a method and its relationship to our material... Being inventive at the expense of being sensitive may take us away from our best intentions and from the honest center of our craft... Craftsmen approach the work itself as having a definite and vital connection between the methods used and the nature of the result."

"Simplicity is at the heart of so much that is fine... Simplicity needn't be crude; it can, and should, include the sensitive... When the simple becomes obvious: a band of small discoveries, strung like pearls on a thread of curiousity, lend richness to our work."

James Krenov
The Impractical Cabinetmaker 1979

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

All Things are under the Law of Change

"All Things are under the Law of Change", number 168 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Yes indeed 'all things are under the law of change'. Even this blog. Things have gone quiet here as other projects grew. All things are under the law of change.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken paints an intimate portrait of living with his grandparents at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. This was back in 1928 and all things are under the law of change. Yet, how often do we forget this or wish it was some other way?

Old photographs show us change. They show us that "nothing survives after all - nothing at all."

My intent is to add more woodworking content to this space. This space is called wooden Zen, till now more Zen then wood but that is about to change. There I go reaffirming 'all things are under the law of change'.

Here is a photo of a work under progress.

Here is a photo of the same piece completed and hanging in the Wawawai Canyon Winery gallery.

Steelhead Run

Will Simpson

2009

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Liquid Sunshine

"Liquid Sunshine", number 167 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Photo by Will Simpson
From One world at a time

My meteorological friends will love today miniature. Aitken tells of his Hawaiian youth where ""liquid sunshine," as we called it as children, when it sprinkles on a bright day. The sun shines through the light rain and the effect is lovely. The Hawaiians call this phenomenon kilihune."

Turns out Hawaiians are quite creative in naming their rains. In a contest with the Inuit's names for snow, the Hawaiians are the champions. Another example of Hawaiian names for rain which I found in an article in The Independent published in the UK, is lanipali, which means a very heavy shower. Its literal meaning, however, is "shower reaching to heaven".

How sweet, a shower reaching to heaven. Those Hawaiians are close to the rain.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Incredibly Naive

"Incredibly Naive", number 166 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

One minute we feel superior the next we are dead. What good is this superior feeling now?

I'm reminded about the Seung Sahn saying "you must become stupid" as a way of practicing. What we call intellect and reason only get us so far down the path. At some point they become barriers. When death approaches, intellect and reason will be of no use. This become stupid is not a become ignorant. Instead it is becoming more open, less rigid.

don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know...

Looks stupid but is intimate in ways knowledge and reason could never be.

John Daido Loori Roshi, successor to Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism, and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, and one of the most influential Zen masters in the West, died at the Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York on Friday, October 9th.

It is a sad day. Zen has lost a giant. Hand together in gratitude. I have a picture of Daido that I'll carry with me for 49 days.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Reading the Book

"Reading the Book", number 165 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Thank you Roshi for introducing me to Simone Weil.

The seasons change but fall does not become winter.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Humane Antennae

"Humane Antennae", number 164 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature is contains a cute story of the Roshi being caught parked in a no parking zone. Aitken was a bit obtuse and acted the cranky old man. The security guard played along. A humane human.

This little tidbit was in my email this morning. Looking through my email and also at twitter is like opening thousands of sweet notes to the heart.

This is from Tricycle's Daily Dharma.

The Teacher in Everything

In taking up Zen Buddhism, we find that the life of the Buddha is our own life. Not only Shakyamuni's life, but the lives of all the succeeding teachers in our lineage are our own lives. As Wu-men Hui-k'ai has said, in true Zen practice our very eyebrows are tangled with those of our ancestral teachers, and we see with their eyes and hear with their ears. This is not because we copy them, or change to be like them. I might explain Wu-men's words by saying that in finding our own true nature, we find the true nature of all things, which the old teachers so clearly showed in their words and actions.

But the authentic experience of identity is intimate beyond explanation. And it's not only with old teachers that we find complete intimacy. The Chinese thrush sings in my heart and gray clouds gather in the empty sky of my mind. All things are my teacher.

- Robert Aiken Roshi "The Teacher in Everything," Tricycle, Fall 2001

Read the complete article on tricycle.com

Grandmother's Admonitions

"Grandmother's Admonitions", number 163 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The measure of a teacher is not on-line or IRL, in a book or in person, virtual or tangible or even live or dead. The measure of a teacher is shown in the student.

I'm not so good a judge of the quality of a Zen teacher. We sometimes see some with real social problems with so called Zen teachers. Some are eloquent some are artistic. Some not so much so. Some are techno-geeks some are technophob's. Some times we like the teacher some we don't. All this matters not as it is the minds game of picking and choosing.

Look at the students to measure the depth of the teacher. Gather trusted friends and listen to their advice.

Everywhere I look I see that I can take a more active responsibility for my Zen practice. This is my part of the Student/Teacher equation. As I up my game, I'm met with more expansive teachers. On-line or in real life does not matter.

Hands together in peace.

How to Make a Baby

a short educational film

by Cassidy Curtis and Raquel Coelho

January 2009

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Pleasant Memories

"Pleasant Memories", number 162 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Artist: Sunao Hironaka (1903-1990)

Title: Untitled

Medium: Watercolor

Overall Dimensions: 27"x22" framed

Price: $800

Available at Cedar Steet Galleries

Probably not this painting, but one by the same painter stimualted a flood of pleasant memories for Aitken. He was not moved particularly by the painting but the painter. Not really the painter but the painters wife. Not really the painters wife but his memories of the times he and his parents spent with her. Funny how with mind, one thing leads to another.

One of the fringe benefits of having a disciplined mind. "Pleasant Memories!"

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Counting Seconds

"Counting Seconds", number 161 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I continue to be moved by the sweetness of these miniatures.

Different from Aitken, I learned to mark seconds with "One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand..." I don't remember who it was that instructed me so.

If learning as a thing, is comprised of the thing and the circumstances of the learning, I've remembered the thing but not the circumstances of the learning. Does this disadvantage my learning? It doesn't feel that way. Yet it makes it hard to reminisce.

Hopefully, reminiscing will be a skill developed over time. The question is do I have enough time left? I'll have to reminisce vicariously. (Wow, where did that come from?)

This seems a train of thought going nowhere thankfully. Time to measure out the breakfast oatmeal.

As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.

~The Dhammapada

created by Raynor

Helvetica the movie

Friday, September 18, 2009

Holocaust Survivors

"Holocaust Survivors", number 160 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is contains a moving story of a Holocaust survivor that confronts the squatter in his old family home with almost disastrous results. He involves his twin daughters and in so doing passes on his horrors. Actions lead to consequences, it never ends.

I seem to be slowing down with my digestion of these miniatures. I've started with our sangha looking at the Shodoka and this may interrupt my activities here. Maybe not. I've come all this way through this book and am dedicated to finish.

Definition :: tittle - the dot on top of the "i" and "j" typological jargon.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Foreign Groom

"The Foreign Groom", number 159 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I have to admit that today's miniature is uncomprehensible to me. Aitken describes some Tang period polo figurines on display at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He then proceeds to make a story about the figurines. In the end the frozen polo player is "focused on whacking the ball for all time."

Is that the joke or there something more serious going on? There is no point to this. Indeed the words flow out and it is what it is. Relative and absolute collide as the polo player "whacks the ball for all time."

Here is yet another demonstration of the power of the Internet. A Google search produced the link below. It is the relevant two minute segment of audio from the 'Honolulu Academy of Arts audio tour'. Here the narrator describes the polo players and the history of the piece. I imagine this is the same thing Aitken heard or maybe he went 'old-school' and read the placard. Sorry, no images.

http://www.honoluluacademy.org/audiotour/English/25.mp3

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Uncle Max

"Uncle Max", number 158 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is not about Uncle Max really but is really a nod to Aitken's love of his Aunt Margaret. She was the foundation on which Uncle Max depended. They share a simple life and in the end it sounds as though they both were bodhisattvas, one supporting the other.

This "just being herself" is the highest embodiment of love.

This reminded me of an emotional video interview Dick and Rick Hoyt, the pair of athletes known as Team Hoyt. At the 5:00 minute mark in the video below, the interviewer reads a letter to Dick about the writers failings as a father and the inspiration found by knowing Dick. Dick is visibly moved to tears. And as a true bodhisattva says "I just think I'm myself."

I only aspire to "just be myself".

Sharing the Silence

"Sharing the Silence", number 157 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is surprising. We can not know what is going on, moment to moment when we meet in silence. Aitken relays a incident where his silence is met with crude racism. Surprisingly crude.

Day by Day & Drip by Drip

What we do day by day, drip by drip, over time affects our attitude, the place on which we stand and operate in life.

A daily sitting practice after years and years slowly becomes a touch stone, a friend. We treat ourselves with a healthy dose of quietude to balance the activity of a normal life. Yet it is easier to develop and stick to a diet or exercise plan than it is to stick to daily sitting.

Committing to a daily practice of quite sitting (zazen) counts for more than one imagines. The strength built by both the commitment and the actual practice (not two!) shows up everywhere. It changes the world and connects. It is what is needed for the healing of our world.

This is our challenge, are you up for it?

A Turning Point

"A Turning Point", number 156 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Robert Aitken shares with us one of his life path turning point events. During a gathering of "young would-be writers" a reviewer mentioned that Aitken's poetry sounded like Japanese or Chinese verse. He had not considered this before this. From there he found Asataro Miyamori's Haiku: Ancient and Modern and Arthur Waley's Translations from the Chinese.

"With this a train of karma got fired up, and it's still tooting along."

My turning point was when I was convinced by the changes I saw in my friend Richard Ibey, to follow him and encounter EST. This fired up my "train of karma... and it's still tooting along".

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Stephen Crane

"Stephen Crane", number 155 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today Aitken reminds us that Stephen Crane wrote the American Civil War classic The Red Badge of Courage. He recommends Crane to 'the young writer ... for his naturally expressed yet vivid humanism.' I found this quote on Wikipedia and apparently Ernest Hemingway feels strongly about Crane also.

In 1936, Ernest Hemingway wrote in The Green Hills of Africa that "The good writers are Henry James, Stephen Crane, and Mark Twain. That's not the order they're good in. There is no order for good writers."

We have run into a string of miniatures about history and writing. And why not? Aitken is a writer and quite interested in history.

Life and death interpenetrate. In fact, what people call "life" is just generally their own little lives and "death" is the end of that. But death is something that life does and death renews and refreshes life. Life and death are not opposed to each other. So when the bodymind dies, it just dies. Now the bodymind is alive. Can you just live? I mean, since you're alive anyway, why not take advantage of the fact by giving up trying to get anything out of it and just sit up straight and just live? "This is as it is not because you make it so, but because the Dharma is thus."

-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, continuing teisho 3 "The Body of the Buddha" from the series, "Seeing Eye to Eye: Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's Yuibutsu Yobutsu," Tuesday, May 18th, 2004.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Cinque Ports

"Cinque Ports", number 154 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

View Larger Map

Continuing on the theme from my previous post, Aitken this time starts off with a history lesson about the seventeenth and eighteenth century town Rye in southeastern England. Aitken can't seem to help himself, he has to get a bit fancy with his writing. Wander off to wikipedia to learn about "cinque ports".

Then as today, greed was run a muck. This reminds me of the part of the Great Vows that goes, ...Greed, hatred and ignorance rise endlessly; I vow to abandon them. Recently it has been brought to my attention that greed is a synonymous with like, and hatred with dislike and ignorance with indifference. So greed, hatred and ignorance becomes like, dislike and indifference rise endlessly.

What type of nerd are you?

The Mejiro

"The Mejiro", number 153 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Japanese White-eye Mejiro

In this miniature Aitken, in a seven sentence paragraph, lays out an intimate scene between him and Yamada Roshi. In what feels linguistically contrived word play, we move from the "lanai of Koko An" watching a "little bird flitting around the Climbing Fig" to the successfully introduction in the 1920's of the mejiro from "Japan to Hawai'i". Yamada display of a bit of uncertainty about all this.

This all seems a fancy and over written. It takes more words to describe this and Aitken took to write it. Maybe this is my own confusion and lack of skill at writing. In such a short paragraph he has set a specific scene with two characters (three if you count the mejiro). The place is familiar to him but a bit confusing to me as he uses one term that is unfamiliar – lanai. This seems the danger of fancy writing. Turns out that lanai refers both to an island in the Hawaiian chain of islands and also a veranda.

This brings up the question for me as to what exactly Aitken means by a "miniature"? So far this collection of miniatures have been a mix of subtle and not so subtle teachings, family snapshots, history lessons and now with this one we get a bit of a writing lesson.

Something a bit different is going on for sure. Have I missed it?

James Krenov, a legendary woodworker, author, and founder of the College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture Program in Fort Bragg, Calif, died September 9, 2009 at the age of 89.

His cabinet making philosophy and skills at teaching and his students continuing work are his legacy. He was someone who had no idea how vast his influence has been. He even has a style of furniture named for him Krenovian. He is also famous for his wooden hand planes. I have been planning on making one and now seems to be the time to start.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

"Tongues in Trees"

"Tongues in Trees", number 152 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Scene 1, Act 2 of William Shakespeare's As You Like It Duke Senior says "Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing."

This points to the inter-beingness of things contrived and the natural world. Trees that talk, rivers with stories, preached to by stones, and good in every thing. Later in the play it comes out as "these trees shall be my books". Learning from the natural world.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Friendly Animals

"The Friendly Animals", number 151 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Two days and no movement. This miniature seems a mix of anthropomorphism and a small bird that foretells the future. Seems odd to be in a book presumably about Zen.

Color me hopeful.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Secret Sorrow

"Secret Sorrow", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

A secret sorrow of unrequited love. The tragedy of a love that might have been.

How does one talk compassionately about this. On the one hand, reality is just what it is. One the other hand, cultural norms are fixed and rigid. Circumstances sometimes conspire to separate people who might otherwise have connected.

Sometimes we have a sense of this missed connection. Sometimes not.

Some people are prone to postulating in this way. Some are not.

How different reality would be if reality was different. This is a "Duhism". Sure we can want things to be different than they are and we can work hard to correct what we see as injustices in the world but in the end reality is just what it is.

This is often discussed in Zen circles. How to balance the truth of reality and the desire to save all beings. This question is one I still struggle with. I work hard to be less and less self centered in as many of the small ways that I can hoping that one day I'll break out and be less self centered in a big way.

We have come full circle. Right here we have my very own 'secret sorrow'. It surprises me that my longing to find ways to be an activist is so tied up "with the tragedy of love that cannot be requited."

Not the lesson Aitken intended, but the one I got. Hands together in peace, thank you Roshi.

Andrea Gibson
Poet and Brave Activist

Friday, September 4, 2009

The Gurgling Magpie

"The Gurgling Magpie", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Owl Pellet

We have an owl in the neighborhood that has been quite vocal. In the evenings and in the morning she calls like a wounded cat.

At first we thought it might be a Screech Owl because of the its call. Now that we have seen it in the woods and hunting on our neighbors stubble field we think it is a Great Horned Owl. Still with a sad call.

One thing I'm learning is that the naming of things is unimportant. Yet sometimes I can not help myself.

"Take an interest in all crafts that support your writing. To do your best, help others do their best." Roy Peter Clark

This his how Roy Peter Clark from the Poynter Institute starts his podcast "Roy's Writing Tool #46". This advice can be taken up in most every field whether that field is Zen or woodworking.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Finger Bowls

"Finger Bowls", number 149 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Social and cultural customs are funny things. We agree that things should be done in a certain way. Others agree that things should be done in a different way. 'We' and 'Others' develop odd relationships because of this.

Aitken tells us of a meal he remembers as a adolescent where a guest drank from the finger bowls his grandmother used in her formal table place settings.

'We' think 'Others' are beneath us if they drink the water from the finger bowls. The whole idea of a finger bowl is quite odd indeed. A small bowl, filled with water, presented on a special manner on the table. Sure looks like something ceremonial like a sacrament. Aren't 'We' the crazy ones for washing our dirty fingers in the sacrament?

What other area of my life are like this? Culturally or socially blind to reality.

Be Amazing!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Green Flash

"The Green Flash", number 148 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Life is full of practical jokes and Aitken's grandfather perpetrated one on unsuspecting visitors to his workplace. He worked as a astronomer
at the Lick Observatory. He would tell visitors that the best way to see the green flash of the setting sun was to "turn your back on the sunset and bend over and watch for the flash there between your legs."

What a silly sight that must have been. Whole families lined up all bent over watching the sun set. An astronomer's practical joke. At the same time, those bent over were willing participants, giggling at themselves all along.

Surf the wave of the unknown and be amazed.

Monday, August 31, 2009

The Notch

"The Notch", number 147 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature hinges on the taking up of a traditional craft from a different culture and how some aspects of this transmission are misappropriated. The example used is the one where Korean potters notched the bottoms of their seconds and there apprentices liked this practice so much that they notched even the best of their work.

Speaking of craft and cross cultural messaging, I am interested in the knife making skills of Joel Bukiewicz, a Brooklyn based writer turned knife maker. In the short video below he talks about how some of the best cutlery today comes from Japan. I feel he is too modest and has refined the art of cutlery and added cultural flares that would be sacrilegious in Japan. Namely the colorful handles.

Below is a repost the video from a few days ago and an added second.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The Turnover

"The Turnover", number 146 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

There was a dramatic turning point in the war with Japan. The Emperor of Japan surrendered and the country started the process of rebuilding.

During this time there were amazing and previously unthinkable events. While Aitken was waiting for his repatriation, the leaders of his group were asked by the Japanese, when building dance halls for the occupation forces, should they build separate ones for officers and enlisted men or not.

This is a complete and utter acceptance of the new situation.

Here is the lesson for all of us zennies. Accept every new situation with the same gusto. And every situation is new, even those that are repeated endlessly.

I found this reproduction of a BBC program about Zen in Japan on youtube. It is in 8 parts but each are short. If you practice zazen, you'll be in for a treat during the last 3 minutes of the program. There is some great footage of old training centers in Japan.

Zen Buddhism: The Land of the Disappearing Buddha, a 1977 BBC Production.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Old Asian Women

"Old Asian Women", number 145 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Old Asian Women seem to be some of the most durable people around. Why is this the case? Hard work, family ties, a go with the flow attitude. Doing what needs being done. This is also the way of Zen.

I've been thinking about obsession lately. In this context I view obsession as uplifting as apposed to an irrational drive. Obsession is defined as a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, an unhealthy fixation. And yet, it could also be seen as a strong drive for excellence, an immersion into the art, a single pointed endeavor, focus.

I came acrossthis short video of a Joel Bukiewicz, knife maker in Brooklyn who is obsessed withkitchen cutlery. Most excellent.

This embodies my feelings about wooden spoons. Only my execution needs work.

This reminds me of my friend, Doug Stowe who is an evangelist for making things with hands. A hand made world in which we learn and socialize via the work of our hands. We in America have gotten so far from this. So much education, work and social activities have neglected the value of hand skills.

In some arenas, hand skills have not only been neglected but are denigrated. There is so much to this world of the hand. An aesthetic and intimacy that is uncommon.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Picture Brides

"Picture Brides", number 144 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Propinquity is the effect describing the tendency of relationships to be formed by people living in proximity to one another. In today's miniature, Japanese American's ordered 'picture brides' from Japan and when they arrived 'propinquity' lead some to develop love relationships with the older Japanese men who paid their way to America. Quoting Aitken's Nana "propinquity propinks". Propinks is not a real word but poets and literary types make use of it anyway.

The earliest literary use of this phrase comes from the tile of Chapter 21 in Ian Flemings 'Diamonds are Forever' - 'Nothing Propinks Like Propinquity' published in 1956.

In Robert Aitken's other book "Zen Master Raven" there is the scene in the book called. "Propinquity". Here is how it goes.

Propinguity

Cougar also came by that evening for the first time. After Raven's final response to Gray Wolf, he asked, "Then is karma just cause and effect?"

Raven said, "Propinquity propinks."

Cougar shook his head vigorously and said, "Sometimes it makes me irritated."

Raven said, " Your great chance."

As the Raven said, "Propinquity propinks." This 'propinks' is the verb form of propinquity. This is like the phrases "antiquity antinks" and "ubiquity ubinks", which are poetically cute. Obviously Aitken propinks propinquity!

Rev. Pierre Taigu Turlur talks about shikantaza, Dogen's unique style of meditation and ango, a traditional 100 day practice period in a couple of nice youtube videos.

Shikantaza

Medium

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Miles Carey

"Miles Carey", number 143 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature Aitken shares with us more about community building and the relationships that occur because of our actions.

The unintentional consequences of Miles Carey's leadership lead to a community that quietly honored him by popularizing the naming of babies "Miles".

This reminds me of a Taoist parable.

There is a story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"We'll see," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"We'll see," replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"We'll see," answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

"We'll see" said the farmer.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

"TA DAH!"

"TA DAH!", number 142 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The title of this miniature sounds like the big deal "TA DAH!" Yet what is pointed out is the opposite. In the lingo of Hawaiians, 'no make tada' is the admonition towards modesty.

Subtle nomenclature, language of the community. This is the glue of friends and family.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Cue

"A Cue", number 141 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Yesterday I referred to Aitken as 'the old man', today I'm not so sure. Cues come at us all the time. Some are obvious and some are subtle. It is the obvious ones Aitken overtly refers to in todays miniature. Yet there is a subtle set of cues being talked about here too.

Language is a cue game. Every word is hinting at whether or not we are members of the same community, whether that community is strong or weak, inclusive of exclusive. Do we ever stop with this community building?

Birdle Burble

(For James Broughton)

I went out of mind and then came to my senses
By meeting a magpie who mixed up his tenses,
Who muddled distinctions of nouns and of verbs,
And insisted that logic is bad for the birds.
With a poo-wee cluck and a chit, chit-chit;
The grammar and meaning don't matter a bit.

The stars in their courses have no destination;
The train of events will arrive at no station;
The inmost and utmost self of us all
Is dancing on nothing and having a ball.
So with chat for chit and with tat for tit,
This will be that, and that will be IT!

Alan Watts Nonsense

"On the occasion of Alan Watts' 50th birthday, James Broughton wrote a poem for him. On James Broughton's next birthday, Alan Watts wrote this poem for James. It's called: Birdle Burble"

Found this reference on the internets. Surprisingly little reference to this poem which adds to its mystery.

I found some hint that the poem James Broughton wrote for Alan Watts' 50th birthday was a poem titled "Forget-me-nots For Alan Watts". Near the right vintage but nothing to confirm. Also couldn't find this poem on the internets. It is printed in a couple of books by Broughton.

Hooplas by James Broughton
Special Deliveries by James Broughton

I was caught up short when looking online through a listing of the paper of James Broughton at the Kent Library and found this:

1978, July: Tabernik, Joan Watts To [James Broughton]. Invites him to theinterment of Alan Watts' ashes. Printed Manuscript. 1 p.; 17.4 cm.

Thanks to Matt for pointing out this poem and its mystery.

Friday, August 21, 2009

"Dasa Side"

"Dasa Side", number 140 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In today's miniature, the old man talks of community building. It is sometimes surprising what can pass for 'community building'.

Slang and lingo glue communities. Learning the slang and lingo is the ticket to membership in many communities. Prohibiting the use of slang and lingo are ways that communities are suppressed.

Zen has a surprising amount of jargon. Learning the Zen lingo is a slow and fitful process.

What am I trying to say here? Let's sit and have a cup of coffee.

The only child, the son of a close friend died last Sunday. My heart is heavy with sadness. Life is all around us. So is death. One day we are filled with life the next day death.

Back and forth.

On and on.

This the comfortable method of reality. Bodhidharma knew this when he left India.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Colonel Boogie March

"Colonel Boogie March", number 139 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

We are in a run of autobiographical miniatures. For some reason these seem less interesting. Today the Roshi reminisces about a show tune he originally heard during his interment. He associates the tune with such a positive experience that he is drawn to see the movie over and over.

Isn't this how we all move through life, somehow drawn to ideas and events by unacknowledged forces. These forces pull and push at us and until exposed to the light of day, we are slaves to their directions.

One path (psychoanalysis) would have us explored each event to discover its root. One path (Zen) would have us drop the whole structure built up around ideas and rooting around in story.

Rooting around in my story. Rooting around in my story. How silly! Make up a story about life, call it mine then root around in it. Try and make it pretty and neat, complain when it isn't smooth, compare it with other made up stories just as screwed up as mine. This scene in the play isn't even funny or even the least bit interesting. Yet I perpetuate it endlessly.

I revised the number of miniatures reported in the book. For some reason I miscounted them. There are only 188 miniatures not 200. I'm not going to change the number on the ones already commented on.

Maybe the universe is inviting me to add 12 of my own?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Here I Come!

"Here I Come!", number 138 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken expresses some of the emotion that he felt during the early stages of his repatriation after being held for almost four years of internment by the Japanese.

One can not make light of this yet it seems odd that an internee would come to embrace his captors culture and religion. This is coming from me, someone who has not had these formative experiences. I guess it could go either way, love or hate. It all depends on how much joriki we have developed.

I'm work on a way to include more woodworking into this site. I took yesterday off work and participated in a "Advance Forest Products Evaluation Field Trip" (technical jargon for a trip to the sawmill). Not any sawmill but Jensen Hardwoods in Walla Walla Washington. Owner/operator, Mark Jensen was very helpful and stayed through his lunch time to help us out-of-towners. This was mostly a scouting expedition.

We'll see what I can produce with the Curly Mango I got. Pictures coming on the newest segmented piece I've finished.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Old Age

"Old Age", number 137 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"Poll: Baby Boomers say old age begins at 80, three years more than US life expectancy. Death is the new Old."

Roland Hedley

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Dinosaur Mountain

"Dinosaur Mountain", number 136 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

This miniature is ends with "It is my first thrill of the day." What is your 'first thrill of the day'?

I got an email from someone I haven't been in contact with for 30 years! A thrill indeed.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

"Moose, Indian"

"Moose, Indian", number 135 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Henry David Thoreau's last words were "Moose, Indian". There has been a lot said about this. Roshi puts forth that maybe we should "let the poor guy die in peace."

Death Poetry is a style of poetry written during the once-in-a-lifetime event of personal death.

Some samples of Zen Death Poems.

Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the
   changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars
   when no wind stirs.

Ryonen

Look straight ahead. What's there?

If you see it as it is

You will not err.

Bassui Tokusho

For over sixty years

I often cried Katsu! to no avail.

And now, while dying,

Once more to cry Katsu!

Won't change a thing.

Koken Sochin

Empty-handed I entered the world

Barefoot I leave it.

My coming, my going -

Two simple happenings

That got entangled.

Kozan Ichikyo

These poems come from a collection of Japanese death poems called oddly enough, Japanese Death Poems.

Watched a very interesting discussion between Dr. Robert Thurman, Karen Armstrong, and Phil Cousineau.

"The Spiritual Quest is often understood as a desire to reach God, or to attain spiritual enlightenment. It is a search that is often challenging, full of questions and uncertainties. In this episode of Global Spirit, writer and lecturer hosts comparative religion scholar Karen Armstrong and Professor of Buddhist studies Dr. Robert Thurman for a discussion of The Spiritual Quest as both a personal and religious phenomenon."

Saw the movie "Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left for the East" last night with my Zen peeps. I have to saw it was not to my tastes. It was long, boring and confusing. we were saved the ending my Matt's DVD player dying after 2.5 hours of augh! Dream scenes and what might have been flashbacks were randomly interspersed and the dialog, what little there was, was over the top Zen crap. The NY Times review painted a different picture. Guess, just not my speed. Your mileage may vary.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Bon Dancing

"Bon Dancing", number 134 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"... the "Appalachia effect" - folk culture that has died out at home flourishes in the diaspora."

Yes, how interesting. As someone who is a convert to Zen, my enthusiasm for practice flourishes. Not sure that wold be the case if I grew up in the Orient.

Moods and energy go up and down. This is a sign that life is alive. Why does this sadden me when my energy is down?

I may write the book "Miniatures of a Zen Klutz" but then again I may take the infinity wise advice and "DON'T BOTHER".

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

FDR

"FDR", number 133 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

We have entered the last section of the book . So far this section seems to be more ordinary and this miniature seems autobiographical and a bit odd.

FDR was a president that lead the US out of the depression of the early 1930's. Aitken has fond memories of FDR. I wonder what this has to do with "Miniatures of a Zen Master"?

The ordinariness of life is Zen. Feed the dog, go to work and smile. This is Zen. Not everything can be like Health Care Reform (HCR). Big, important and contentious. Yet even the challenges of HCR are made up of 'feeding the dog, going to work and smiling'.

For some reason I sense that in FDR's time there was a lot more unity in the country. Maybe this is just nature human mind, wishing things were different, recasting the past in a positive light. I feel torn apart by all the greed, fear, anger surrounding HCR.

Will a leader emerge to unite the country before implosion?

Optimum Hole Sizes (Inches) for Common Birdhouse Nesting Species

American Kestrel	3
Ash-Throated Flycatcher	1 1/2
Barn Owl	6
Black-Capped Chickadee	1 1/8
Carolina Wren	1 1/2
Downy Woodpecker	1 1/4
Eastern Bluebird	1 1/2
House Finch	2
House Wren	1 1/4
Northern Flicker	2 1/2
Prothonotary Warbler	1 1/8
Purple Martin	2 1/2
Tufted Titmouse	1 1/4
Violet-Green Swallow	1 1/2
White-Breasted Nuthatch	1 1/4

Monday, August 10, 2009

Saint Andrew

"Saint Andrew", number 132 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Completely amazing the world we live in. Robert Aitken, who lives in Hawaii, talks about a statue of St. Andrew that he enjoys and 5 minutes on the internets and I have a picture, a very detailed description a map on how to get there and even a clear aerial photograph. (No google maps street view yet.)

What an amazing world!

St. Andrew being preached to by the fish!

St. Andrew statue

The sculpture was donated by Robbins Battell, Mary Morris Anderson and their children. Carlton Winslow, architect of the Cathedral, designed the fountain, constructed by Mario Valdastri and Son. Ivan Mestrovic designed the statue of St. Andrew the Apostle; Robert Laurent sculpted the fish.

That is the statue in the lower part of the image.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Empty Space

"The Empty Space", number 131 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Rufus Hummingbird
From WoodenZen

Today seems like a good day for some reflection on this book and my treatment of it.

Like these miniatures, my treatment has been up and down. The quality of my attention to the topics is uneven. "The Empty Space" is about how by creating an empty space of no expectations, we create an unencumbered life. Or "The Empty Space" is about how we can not hide our true nature from the the universe.

Either way, I would have said it differently. And that is the point isn't it. This is Robert Aitken's book not mine. I am so happy to have found Robert even though I've never met him. I've only known him through is writing. That is enough.

This miniature turns out to have a happy ending. But that is not the point. Life ends how it ends. Happy or not is not the point. In the end what matters is moment to moment presence.

Here are some questions I'll ask myself at the end.

Am I awake?
Did I love?
Who is it that is ending?
Was I kind?

Here we go! Why wait! Question everything, especially your preparation for the end.

Go create 'the empty space' life lives in!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Eight Fold Path

"The Eight Fold Path", number 130 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The fundamentals.

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Palaka Shirt

"The Palaka Shirt", number 129 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The Palaka shirt is a traditional Hawaiian shirt. It had a purpose in the past and is still warn by old-timers.

Some things connect us with the past and we often are unaware of the true nature of those connections. Is affinity with one's past, part of one's character? Does poor affinity equal poor character?

What would affinity with one's future be called? Does affinity for one's future equal healthy character?

When I was young I didn't know a past to have affinity for. I only had a future. Now that I'm older the equation is reversed. Lots of past and not so much future. As I get as old as Aitken Roshi, I'll have eons of past and little future.

Or is all this the trick time plays on us?

Forever returning to the question, "Who hears?".

Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Mountain Stream

"The Mountain Stream", number 128 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Today starts "Book IV". The mountain stream in this miniature refers to a comforting talisman the Roshi conjures up. How, why and even the specifics are unimportant.

Let's take this matter up intimately. I carry a snake in my spine. It sure enjoys when I give it attention and stretch it. Usually curled a bit. Loves straightening. During the day and on the zafu. I'm surprised just how intimate this is.