tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28280927542259708092024-03-13T08:03:59.955-07:00Feeding the wolf I want to winAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-86952339509620411662012-06-08T20:30:00.001-07:002015-01-04T07:30:28.611-08:00Wooden Rakusu Rings<br />
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<div class="intro">
I'm a wood worker and a zen practitioner. I make wooden rakusu rings. Below are the images of rings I've made and are in service around the country. <b>This is a sampling</b>, the currently available rings and the one I might make for you are different because wood color and grain pattern, even in the same species of wood, are varied. Click on the image for a higher resolution view.<br />
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If you see any here you like, email at will@kestrelcreek.com. Please enclose details about your practice, the group and linage you practice in, when and with whom you will be taking jukai. Anything you'd be willing to share. <br />
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Woods I used in the past.</div>
<ul class="intro">
<li>Birds Eye Maple</li>
<li>Pacific Yew</li>
<li>Box Elder</li>
<li>Walnut</li>
<li>Madrone</li>
<li>Ash</li>
<li>Lacewood</li>
<li>Apple</li>
<li>Spalted Birch</li>
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Precept guide, rakusu pattern and photos of a completed rakusu. <a href="http://palousezen.org/jukai.html">http://palousezen.org/jukai.html</a><br />
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Spalted River Birch (Spalting varied a lot, this one is medium)<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dIYABKsoFoKeLvg5L--dyw?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qqPTMQqc7gc/TePXLOO6PDI/AAAAAAAACmE/gooLxEQZUIY/s400/IMG_1493.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Apple<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uuB8DrD2zo6LX4ot0pEfZA?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iPNGktI3g1o/TePXTwCLlyI/AAAAAAAACmI/UGFy1DqoByE/s400/IMG_1495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Birds Eye Maple with natural dark streaks.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9dr-eBbql7x6dGCaQgbGHA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeVchheDI/AAAAAAAACHA/gMxOq2lRkLE/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Box Elder with a small bark inclusion.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PwHiNZrT57YYRx_4Y8vY9A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeNx8fkZI/AAAAAAAACG0/PSXpMm5IGuU/s400/IMG_1105.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Birds Eye Maple with natural dark streak.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3iS889lz4OWilmlLVajX2g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeJIPk7AI/AAAAAAAACGs/Eoa86PvOREM/s400/IMG_1103.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Birds Eye Maple<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bJbFQG_rKXLWySEURMHONw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeG3QoWsI/AAAAAAAACGo/TjYk56_FHJo/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Box Elder Burl<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WciKe9Y5nGeT1qnaAbTApg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeLllcRFI/AAAAAAAACGw/j2LyDvBeG1Y/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Birds Eye Maple<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/txrX2o3ImmUYN-4krBobTg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeSROFpiI/AAAAAAAACG8/drU5H0_N4EE/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Box Elder with a natural reddish streak.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1NodM-Gw36TQzYMMppxC-Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TEOeP-yhiEI/AAAAAAAACG4/LuwMtelom2g/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Walnut One<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KkgoiSxzuJgOXCHlMvJtHQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgnRuR1MI/AAAAAAAAA-A/W-UbhaRTPeA/s400/IMG_2971.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Madrone Burl<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YDy0VlqEr-3O1z4FKxi3KQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgpN1a0dI/AAAAAAAAA-E/8rDhNuwtcVk/s400/IMG_2973.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Walnut Two<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vFScHov2ldwK4BaWCdDhTQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgqqrMxAI/AAAAAAAAA-I/IgGELiRd4w8/s400/IMG_2976.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Box Elder Burl One<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HWDNgK7W34-StZpwi8n7pw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgsGchc-I/AAAAAAAAA-M/mA9mWPjnARU/s400/IMG_2978.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Ash One <br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DFhvMvtcRhf7WWgG1uPYwQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAguIPmWTI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/wNP9JAnT7wY/s400/IMG_2979.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Ash Two<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YUlWr3O8QKEvd9xOn0tbEQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgwJzoaLI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/UxB0WBpvElA/s400/IMG_2980.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Box Elder Burl Two<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/030dCafVy6xhY8OmadfX9w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgxzHBZBI/AAAAAAAAA-c/4kibU95-Ofo/s400/IMG_2981.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Lace Wood One<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OpeRmPQxOrbfdvJbNNcx8Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAgzvTIigI/AAAAAAAAA-g/60f3vdzdAyY/s400/IMG_2983.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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Lace Wood Two<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0Y5yNXPtOca9LdkvNyAH9A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SlAg1zMH_II/AAAAAAAAA-k/aNxJ7QHkpbw/s400/IMG_2984.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/AvailableRakusuRings?feat=embedwebsite">Available Rakusu Rings</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-1718826571374104012012-03-18T10:29:00.000-07:002012-03-18T10:29:13.833-07:00Smooth sanded spoons<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96LWSwuo7Qo/T2UntY7JNKI/AAAAAAAAC1c/Ur18uV66j4k/s1600/2012-03-17_15-56-58_938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96LWSwuo7Qo/T2UntY7JNKI/AAAAAAAAC1c/Ur18uV66j4k/s320/2012-03-17_15-56-58_938.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spalted Maple with ripple figure</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqbUmAbgLJM/T2UntQ1BraI/AAAAAAAAC1c/L_GB5APwrNg/s1600/2012-03-17_15-57-24_718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqbUmAbgLJM/T2UntQ1BraI/AAAAAAAAC1c/L_GB5APwrNg/s320/2012-03-17_15-57-24_718.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birch spoons, near spoon from birch from UofI arboretum, likely exotic. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2KCoLw6cj0/T2UntRIyWlI/AAAAAAAAC1c/QR3OqDfAhqM/s1600/2012-03-17_15-56-21_665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2KCoLw6cj0/T2UntRIyWlI/AAAAAAAAC1c/QR3OqDfAhqM/s320/2012-03-17_15-56-21_665.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also birch, near spoon River Birch.</td></tr>
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The spoons are of the last few weeks production. I do work in a rustic leave the knife makes on the wood style and also a sanded smooth finish. These are of the latter. Buffed and waxed with a fine luster. The maple spoon really look great finely finished. I am looking for so wood that will led itself to a rougher finish. Fresh, I doo have a lead on some Honey Locust.<br />
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My Spinal went uneventful. Probably worked too much around it and took it too lightly. It will be a week or so before I'll have the results. Many of the tests are not usually done locally and have to be sent out by the lab. It seemed as I escaped the headaches usually associated with spinal taps but yesterday and today splitting headaches. Of course the walking into the tree headfirst causing scalp bleeding might have something to do with it.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-87460959581907045092012-03-15T07:06:00.001-07:002012-03-15T07:12:45.775-07:00Wish me luckThis morning I go in for a spinal tap. My neurologist really is interested in confirming what this is that I have.<br />
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I've been making Rakasu Rings for a while. Let me now if you could use one.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xRFXD2Fpfo/T2HgXvdtV6I/AAAAAAAAC0g/EApETGQp368/s1600/2012-03-15_05-20-22_260" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1xRFXD2Fpfo/T2HgXvdtV6I/AAAAAAAAC0g/EApETGQp368/s320/2012-03-15_05-20-22_260" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-10853342298653358112012-03-14T20:37:00.001-07:002012-03-14T20:37:22.582-07:00It has been awhileReset.<br />
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I have be diagnosed with a brain condition which goes by the acronym of CLIPPERS. Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontinocelebellar perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids or CLIPPERS for short. Most of the cases, of which there are only a few, show on MRI involvement of the pontine, a small midline structure deep in the brain. My involvement is only in the cerebellum, which connects with the pontine.<br />
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Here are some pictures that show my brain.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFS8_4z5Thw/T2FhulqYKWI/AAAAAAAAC0U/sElTUoF9SNA/s1600/mymri1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFS8_4z5Thw/T2FhulqYKWI/AAAAAAAAC0U/sElTUoF9SNA/s320/mymri1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Post Contrast T2</div>
It doesn't look like much but the symtoms are pretty rough. Fortunately they are not so bad as to prevent me from working. Sometime I should write down the whole affair. Brain biopsy, cancer workup, full body CT and multiple lumbar punctures. Turns out that steroids are the treatment and they worked originally. Then after 4 months I went 6 weeks without a treatment and had a relapse and now have to basically start over. <br />
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Anyways, enough for now about my brain. Been in the shop some and have some spoons that I have to photograph for the blog.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-87412655304781444082011-02-01T07:31:00.000-08:002012-06-08T20:27:11.535-07:00"Confession of a Buddhist Atheist"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Snow. Calling for up 7" more. Yups. May have to crank up the snow blower.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just finished Stephen Batchelor's "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist" and am impressed by his writing style. Flipping back and forth between his life experience and the writings of the Pali Cannon, he presents a compelling narrative. I, like him, am compelled to acknowledge that I am certain about nothing. Really anything. My world view is dependent on my circumstances, the conditions that have already arisen. Given different circumstances, I would have a different world view. This is ennobling. I enjoyed the book and recommend it.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-67866878612106186632010-12-07T12:08:00.001-08:002010-12-07T12:08:39.408-08:00Spoon HangtagAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-11939803178221633982010-08-06T10:47:00.000-07:002010-08-06T10:47:10.664-07:00Robert Aitken (1917-2010)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SdaW0_iIE9I/AAAAAAAACBE/Z5g4ZU_F-p8/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="1" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SdaW0_iIE9I/AAAAAAAACBE/Z5g4ZU_F-p8/turtle.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gentle reminder just how precious this life is.</td></tr>
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Robert Aitken was my teacher's teacher. He died yesterday. He had been in poor health for a while. That does not make it any easier for his family and those close to him.<br />
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I never met him but through his writings and the stories my teacher told. One story that I remember was that Aitken used to record his talks in a cassette tape recorder. One evening he noticed that the recorder had malfunctioned and failed to record his teisho. Later after everyone when to bed, he stayed up an sat in the zendo re-giving and re-recording his teisho to an empty zendo. The advantage of his dependance on his notes.<br />
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This must have been an odd scene to come on. I don't know, but this may have been one of his best Dharma talksr. It points to his dedication to spreading the Dharma in the Western world. He has done so much and now can rest.<br />
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We'll have to wait and see what blossoms out of all his hard work. I dedicate the merit of my practice to you, Robert Aitken, Dai Osho.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-63053335257652496342010-07-11T06:51:00.000-07:002010-07-11T06:51:12.288-07:00Zen is Everyday LifeBefore taking up Zen, everyday life is just how life is lived. When you start to practice Zen, everyday life becomes a mystery, a thing unto itself. After ‘practicing Zen’ everyday life again is just how life is lived. <br />
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During the summer months my practice community is dispersed and we are involved in many family and social activities. I’m looking forward already to the cold, rainy and snowy month when my practice community will come together again. <br />
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As reported earlier, I recently spent some time with Barry Gordon, a spoon carver with over 30 year of experience. One thing that I picked up watching Barry was the importance of intentionality. This notion is still coagulating but here is what I've seen so far.<br />
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You could depend on the moment or "the wood" to inspire you as you formed the spoon. Stand in front of the bandsaw or the chopping block and start whacking away. I call this the "Michelangelo Subtraction Approach" - start removing wood and seeing what develops. Lately this has started to feel a bit to 'willy-nilly' and this feeling intensified after working with Barry.<br />
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Alternatively, you could inject more intentionality.<br />
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I've started to make patterns for my spoons. When thinking about what I want to accomplish, the drawing has been very helpful. As an activity unto itself, drawing connects me with my spoon making at times I can not be in the shop. Pattern making has already lead me to see design 'opportunities' I want to avoid using again. Notice the bottom pattern in the picture above. The curve in the handle looks graceful and suited to the size of the spoon. Using the pattern in fresh Red Oak, I now feel that the curve it too 'curvy' and the spoon feels funny 'in the hand'. I'll post a picture when done comparing spoon with pattern.<br />
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Another activity that adds intentionally is keeping a file of inspiring photos and clipping from which to draw ideas. My image file contains almost 800 images of spoons scoured from the web that I peruse from time to time, studying the work of others, some positive some as lessons of what not to do.<br />
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Sweet 'hand-feel' of a spoon is the ephemeral quality of comfort and connection you get when holding a well crafted spoon. I've held and made spoons that lack this 'hand-feel' or a 'spooniness' quality.<br />
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Which are you? A Michelangelo who removes everything that is not the spoon or someone who injects some measure of intentionality into you carving?<br />
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The more I practice the more I realize just how little I know about Zen. I'm finding talking about Zen ain't too helpful. Sometimes a lot of what passes for Zen is nothing but critique. Like a movie critic, critiquing life. Counter productive yet the social norm. Acceptably missing the point!<br />
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I must confess that I don't know a thing about Zen. I don't know why I practice. I can't remember even why I came to the practice. Maybe it is transient, but I find my desire to hold ideas in my mind weakening even more. I have no idea about Zen and am comforted by that. Weird confession. The practice being so nebulous. To say it is "everything" or "your practice is your practice" is a cop out. I sit. That is about all I can say for sure.<br />
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There. -- Your turn.<br />
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This space is making a change. </div>
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A couple of weeks ago, I took a spoon makers vacation. I was lucky to spend most of week with one of the best spoon makers in America and a great teacher, <a href="http://barrygordon.com/avail_detail.html">Barry Gordon</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TDZFlXRF3WI/AAAAAAAACFg/xQOjOxsVJkw/s1600-h/IMG_0906%20%28447x640%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_0906 (447x640)" border="0" class="wlDisabledImage" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TDZFmNVkoBI/AAAAAAAACFk/au5lJUDTYNY/IMG_0906%20%28447x640%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0906 (447x640)" width="172" /></a></div>
We worked in his shop and talk about design, technique and materials. <br />
Here Barry is pictured roughing out a Buckthorn spoon. He has developed a notion of using the band saw as a carving implement. Barry uses a highly tuning the band saw with a few custom features. He uses special blades with high beam strength and frequently applies a wax lubricant to the blades. He has optimized his dust collection with custom shrouds under the table. He has filled in the miter slot and made a UHDP insert for the throat. A link belt and a custom study base that together all but eliminate any vibration. Extra lighting and a slow steady hand and a “roughed out” spoon is closer to its final shape.<br />
Barry and his wife Barb, were gracious hosts and shared there home and dinner table with me. The conversation was delightful. <br />
Now we’ll have to see if I absorbed anything. <br />
Later in the week Barb, Barry and I drove the 300 miles or so to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.woodturner.org">American Association of Woodturners</a> national convention in Hartford CT. We had some of the best pizza ever at a little place call <a href="http://joepizzacanton.com/">Joe’s Pizza</a> just outside Hartford. <br />
The main reason for the trip to Hartford was to see and meet Norman Stevens the wooden spoon collector and see his <a href="http://galleryofwoodart.org/teapotspoons.html">“Gathering of Spoons”</a> (PDF of catalog) exhibition.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TDZFrNZX5nI/AAAAAAAACFo/oMXOMBX74Z0/s1600-h/IMG_0977%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_0977" border="0" class="wlDisabledImage" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/TDZFr98stsI/AAAAAAAACFs/q1Aqqghwewk/IMG_0977_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0977" width="244" /></a><br />
Norman Stevens is a retired university librarian who has a long history of collecting and supporting spoon makers. His latest project, the recently renamed “A Gathering of Spoons”, is a collection of spoons by makers mostly but not exclusively from America. It was a real treat the see and hold spoons by Jogge and Wille Sundqvist. See so many spoons by so many makers all in one spot was inspiring. Below is a series of images I took original thinking I’d create a panoramic of the collection but I think it would be better to just publish them and try later to make a panorama. <br />
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<a href="https://cid-96aedf516c5aaa65.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=96AEDF516C5AAA65!128&type=5&authkey=CRmtbmENurg%24&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span defaulttext="Enter album name here" style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 1.36em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 508px;">A Gathering of Spoons</span></a></div>
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<a border="0" href="https://cid-96aedf516c5aaa65.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=96AEDF516C5AAA65!128&type=5&authkey=CRmtbmENurg%24&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px 6px 0px 6px; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a> <a border="0" href="https://cid-96aedf516c5aaa65.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=downloadphotos&resid=96AEDF516C5AAA65!128&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=CRmtbmENurg%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px 6px 0px 6px; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD ALL</a> </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-65201922041869008752010-05-10T05:37:00.000-07:002010-07-02T05:46:41.950-07:00The Human Spirit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/S-f7ebBDZxI/AAAAAAAACAg/eIa78UL3U-Q/s1600/IMG_3536-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/S-f7ebBDZxI/AAAAAAAACAg/eIa78UL3U-Q/s640/IMG_3536-1.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
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We are on page 192. Today's miniature teaches about how "there is always a bigger flea." To make his point, Aitken uses a pair of writers, Robert Louis Stevens and Leo Tolstoy, and a pair of short stories, "The Touchstone" and "How Much Land Does a Man Need?". Having not read either, I can not speak to the merits of his comparison as to which writer was the "bigger flea". </div>
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That is not the point. On the surface, Aitken does a great job of presenting first RLS as a writer who "informs my very life." Strong praise indeed. Then he goes on to introduce LT and note Chekhov's proclamation that LT's short story is "the best short story ever written." Aitken's writing here is masterful. He places these two writer next to each other and imagines there relationship. </div>
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With more reflection, we see that comparison and our desire to know or be the "bigger flea" is a part of the human spirit. If we hold these comparisons lightly, recognizing the ephemeral nature of the sense of separation that allows comparisons, the human spirit can be light. If we put too much energy in comparisons, in who's the bigger flea, then the human spirit becomes needy, heavy, busy with judgments. </div>
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Chose to be light. See the ephemeral nature of separation. Be kind to yourself.</div>
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I'd like to point you to Lucy Loomis, a photographer, who has posted to Flickr a set of her visit to Dan Santos' woodworking shop. I don't know either of these people yet their sharing has inspired me. We will see what develops. Here is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/sets/72157623364286098/show/with/4334820412/">link to the set</a> and a sample.<br />
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<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4334820412_76065b2d87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4334820412_76065b2d87.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photo by Lucy Lommis</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-29204236413244508072010-03-25T08:20:00.000-07:002010-03-25T08:20:23.367-07:00Trick or TreatToday we get a history lesson. "All Souls' Eve" has its origins in ancient Europe. Culture to culture, eventually to England where "good-hearted celebrators dressed as ghouls or ghosts went "a-souling" door to door... to beg food for the poor."<br />
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Sadly, yet another communal celebration bastardized by capitalism.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-10863079332696447192010-03-19T11:16:00.000-07:002010-03-19T11:16:26.996-07:00Dad's IndiscretionToday's miniature is best read in context. Buy the book and read it from the beginning. Once you get to page 190, you'll be caught up with this post.<br />
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I have not had any encounters in my life that could have lead to "... children and <i>their</i> innumerable children and their innumerable children and innumerable, innumerable cousins ..." So far I've escaped fatherhood. This is an odd source of pride for me.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Elbert_Hubbard_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_17504.jpg/368px-Elbert_Hubbard_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_17504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Elbert_Hubbard_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_17504.jpg/368px-Elbert_Hubbard_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_17504.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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For the wood design enthusiast. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbert_Hubbard">Elbert Hubbard</a> was the mover behind <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roycroft">Roycroft</a>. His implementation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement">Arts and Craft</a> ethos lives on today. There is a lot to be learned <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wned/elbert-hubbard/early-artisans.php">here</a> including an <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wned/elbert-hubbard/video.php">hour long video</a> produced by PBS.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-11177822216312249472010-03-18T15:26:00.000-07:002010-03-18T15:26:26.072-07:00The Patriot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today I learned a new word, jingoistic. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jingoism</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is defined in the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Oxford English Dictionary"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Oxford English Dictionary</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> as "extreme </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Patriotism" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Patriotism"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">patriotism</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> in the form of aggressive foreign policy".</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Robert Aitken is quite the story teller. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">My father was proud of his prowess at scratch off lottery tickets. Winning a few dollars made his day in a way that I never could understand. From time to time he would ask me to send him scratch off lottery tickets from Idaho because we have different games. He told me once that those who play the Powerball type lotteries were fools easily separated from their money. He hoped to win big by scratching.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">He never did.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-73676287804786909692010-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:002010-03-17T16:09:35.895-07:00Mother's InabilityRobert Aitken's mother was a talented and engaged woman who raised two sons. She was troubled in her relationship with her mother. Aitken confesses, "This karma affected her marriage, and ultimately me, I'm sure, though I lack the insight to say just how."<br />
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"I lack the insight to say just how." Thank you roshi for this teaching. The rains don't come and the wind blows hard. I eat my dinner alone. Knowing or not knowing is not the trouble. Want one or the other and the road to hell is paved with questions.
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">Sycamore spoons, roughed out and ready for finishing.<br />
carving by Will Simpson<br />
From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/Spoonery?feat=embedwebsite">Spoonery</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.nhpr.org/node/6319">Listen to an NHPR 2004 recorded interview</a> with ... "Dan Dustin is a wood artisan and spoon maker from Contoocook, New Hampshire. He's been using his own unique method of making wooden spoons for 30 years. He begins by going into the woods, and "finding" the spoons within the branches of trees. He says the trees make the spoons, he just discovers them. His spoons cost as much as $100."<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-18387013489593053582010-03-16T13:45:00.000-07:002010-03-16T13:45:25.700-07:00Impressing Mom and Dad<blockquote>
<b>"They were of the earth, earthy, and were not easily impressed."</b></blockquote>
With this we see our own limits of expression. What sweeps away our grounding, points out to us where we are moored? Comfortable in a skin of nature, of art, of literature, of technology. What brings us to this 'impressed'? The lightness of 'impressed' sings in the heart of this little boy.<br />
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Lunch time walkabout, Honey Bees working the plum blossoms, I left my smile there for you to find.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-29963723795521210472010-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:002010-01-04T16:20:45.753-08:00Grandpa Baker's FailureGrandpa Baker's Failure", number 170 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
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About the saddest thing I've ever read. Short and in one paragraph, six sentences, Aitken paints a masterpiece of sadness expressed as Grandfather's marital failure.<br />
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"He couldn't attain the measure of human happiness that we all hope for ourselves."</blockquote>
I marvel at Aitken's skill at weaving story.<br />
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Like many, I've spent some time recently considering my goals. There are the usual suspects of, reading wider, losing weight by starting an exercise regime, writing regularly, etc. What is different this year is that I've seen a shift away from a list of stated goals. In its place there is a mind map. As it was being developed, it became clear that there are two different modes, traits and projects. Traits to develop or solidify; "focus on health", "focus on relationships", "focus on hyperlocal", and "focus on kindness". Projects to start, re-start, or grow; spoon making, photography, Python programming, blogging.<br />
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There is a bit of disconnect between the traits and the projects.<br />
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Attempting to boil all this down to a short phrase has been hard but valuable. Being concise and keeping a short phrase in front may be more successful than the large detailed mind map I've created.<br />
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Here is my attempt at creating a short phrase that encompasses the meme or feeling-tone of my new year's goals.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Create growth</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Less consumption More production</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Use talents to connect</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Visualize kindness</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of these "Use talents to connect" seems the closest to what I have in mind for the coming year. Now the work of aligning the projects to this. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">If I was to boil this down even farther, just three words, they'd be </span></span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>create</li>
<li>connect</li>
<li>kindness</li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>
<br />
</div>
</div>
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-23140781553468758952009-12-26T07:05:00.000-08:002009-12-26T07:24:29.617-08:00A Fine Memory"A Fine Memory", number 169 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Exactly what is the teaching here?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:6Y2ox0Yyn6CZ2M:http://www.furnituresociety.org/blog/newImages/2007/05/krenov-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="1" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:6Y2ox0Yyn6CZ2M:http://www.furnituresociety.org/blog/newImages/2007/05/krenov-lg.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
I'm reading <a href="http://jameskrenov.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James Krenov's</span></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Impractical-Cabinetmaker-James-Krenov/dp/0941936511/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261836941&sr=8-2"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"The Impractical Cabinetmaker"</span></a> 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.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"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."<br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"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."<br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
James Krenov<br />
The Impractical Cabinetmaker 1979<br />
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-42977393494601331542009-12-17T14:46:00.000-08:002009-12-17T14:46:07.402-08:00All 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
In this miniature, Robert Aitken paints an intimate portrait of living with his grandparents at the <a href="http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/">Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton</a>. 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?<br />
<br />
Old photographs show us change. They show us that "<i>nothing survives after all - nothing at all</i>."<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
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'.<br />
<br />
Here is a photo of a work under progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SypKqtlMwmI/AAAAAAAABis/S1bBqYO-WVE/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SypKqtlMwmI/AAAAAAAABis/S1bBqYO-WVE/s320/IMG_0835.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
Here is a photo of the same piece completed and hanging in the <a href="http://www.wawawaicanyon.com/">Wawawai Canyon Winery</a> gallery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SygSGDLROFI/AAAAAAAABh4/OhXUAQNX0dQ/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SygSGDLROFI/AAAAAAAABh4/OhXUAQNX0dQ/s320/IMG_3165.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steelhead Run<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will Simpson<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2009<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-20658434758686274252009-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:002009-10-10T06:37:33.131-07:00Liquid Sunshine"Liquid Sunshine", number 167 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fg1l5NW0d9jxqmDV19WSbw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPXlgYnf1IaV2gE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/StCNMFZlyyI/AAAAAAAABXk/JYMN4myT4WA/s400/Lightening.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">Photo by Will Simpson <br />From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/linux.photo.geek/OneWorldAtATime?authkey=Gv1sRgCPXlgYnf1IaV2gE&feat=embedwebsite">One world at a time</a></td></tr></table>
<br />
My meteorological friends will love today miniature. Aitken tells of his Hawaiian youth where <i>""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."</i><br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/weather-forget-eskimo-snow--here-are-139-hawaiian-rain-words-1142513.html">article in The Independent</a> published in the UK, is <i>lanipali</i>, which means a very heavy shower. Its literal meaning, however, is "shower reaching to heaven".<br />
<br />
<br />
How sweet, <i>a shower reaching to heaven</i>. Those Hawaiians are close to the rain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-7945121243299082012009-10-09T20:31:00.000-07:002009-10-09T20:31:28.627-07:00Incredibly Naive"Incredibly Naive", number 166 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
One minute we feel superior the next we are dead. What good is this superior feeling now?<br />
<a href="http://www.kwanumzen.org/dssn/" target="_blank"><br /></a><br />
I'm reminded about the <a href="http://www.kwanumzen.org/dssn/" target="_blank">Seung Sahn</a> saying "<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=fQ9JNtBs16gC&pg=PT118&lpg=PT118&dq=Seung+Sahn+become+stupid&source=bl&ots=GIzyt5Zolj&sig=apdcGf_3VyTVABWexMZ-ABCETNo&hl=en&ei=b_fPSqH_CtHU8Qby-oT0Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false">you must become stupid</a>" 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.<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="color: #274e13;">
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... <br />
</blockquote>
Looks stupid but is intimate in ways knowledge and reason could never be.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mro.org/daido/">John Daido Loori Roshi</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-46775444762988530942009-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:002009-10-06T11:45:49.891-07:00Reading the Book"Reading the Book", number 165 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/SimoneWeil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/SimoneWeil.jpg" width="130" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
Thank you Roshi for introducing me to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Weil">Simone Weil</a>.<br />
<br />
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<hr />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The seasons change but fall does not become winter.<br />
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SsuCb-8BFSI/AAAAAAAABXE/MR1rZ8caWp0/s1600-h/daido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gV-LxIPz1pY/SsuCb-8BFSI/AAAAAAAABXE/MR1rZ8caWp0/s400/daido.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-28657987740809963792009-10-04T07:50:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:50:04.632-07:00Humane Antennae"Humane Antennae", number 164 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<hr />
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">
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.<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">
This is from <a href="http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1102078752519&p=oi"><em>Tricycle</em>'s Daily Dharma</a>. <br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">
<b> <br /></b><br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<b>The Teacher in Everything </b><br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
- Robert Aiken Roshi "The Teacher in Everything," <em>Tricycle,</em> Fall 2001 <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Read <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102736819117&s=31850&e=001ym6XrnRlmTP3jCfZScsTIHv7PGZPc1_96Y3s5P-MnwfGyNFpuYg0dmh14A_0r202GAsvhjCxZ39jj4C17qns3pPSe5xgEc9K5hhmhxlSl1GDAQgsqH4dBTxnYn0oIGct" shape="rect" target="_blank">the complete article</a> on <a href="http://tricycle.com/" target="_blank">tricycle.com</a></span></div>
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<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on<br /><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master<br /></i>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.<br />Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of<br />Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to<br />all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.</small></i></span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-75476282747370983932009-10-04T07:35:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:35:23.788-07:00Grandmother's Admonitions"Grandmother's Admonitions", number 163 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Look at the students to measure the depth of the teacher. Gather trusted friends and listen to their advice.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Hands together in peace.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: lucida sans,sans-serif;">How to Make a Baby</span></h1>
<div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: lucida sans,sans-serif;">a short educational film</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: lucida sans,sans-serif;"><i>by <a href="http://otherthings.com/">Cassidy Curtis</a> and <a href="http://raquelrabbit.com/" target="_new">Raquel Coelho</a></i>
</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: lucida sans,sans-serif;"><i>January 2009</i></span><br />
</div>
<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="340" src="http://blip.tv/play/grcT5eRA4BA%2Em4v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450"></embed>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master</i></small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time</small></i></i></span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-72391026736425711232009-09-27T07:59:00.000-07:002009-09-27T07:59:31.890-07:00Pleasant Memories"Pleasant Memories", number 162 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/photolibrary/1/12/129/12909d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/photolibrary/1/12/129/12909d1.jpg" width="420" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Artist:
<a href="http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/bin/works.cgi?Artist=Hironaka1903-1990Sunao">Sunao Hironaka (1903-1990)</a> </span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Title:
Untitled</span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Medium:
Watercolor</span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Overall Dimensions:
27"x22" framed </span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Price:
$800</span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Available at <a href="http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/bin/detail.cgi?ID=12909">Cedar Steet Galleries</a></span> <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the fringe benefits of having a disciplined mind. <i>"Pleasant Memories!" </i><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master</i></small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to</small></i></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #663300;"><i><i><small>all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time</small></i></i></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828092754225970809.post-48459813513379087612009-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:002009-09-23T06:15:19.401-07:00Counting Seconds"Counting Seconds", number 161 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.<br /><br />I continue to be moved by the sweetness of these miniatures.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Hopefully, reminiscing will be a skill developed over time. The question is do I have enough time left? I'll have to reminisce vicariously. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Wow, where did that come from?) </span><br /><br />This seems a train of thought going nowhere thankfully. Time to measure out the breakfast oatmeal.<br /><br /><hr /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.<br /></em></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>~The Dhammapada</em></span></strong></div><br /><hr /><span geekery=""><span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span geekery=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.swiss-miss.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/d8a5033cb029c5c30d2a93d402def1ddba97582d_m.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 480px;" src="http://www.swiss-miss.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/d8a5033cb029c5c30d2a93d402def1ddba97582d_m.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">created by <a href="http://ragbag.tumblr.com/post/187708731/arial-helvetica-on-friday-i-hosted-a-screening">Raynor</a></span><br /><br /><i><a href="http://www.helveticafilm.com/">Helvetica the movie</a></i><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span geekery=""></span></div></div><hr /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small>Any error or confusion created by my commentary on</small></i></i></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small><i>Miniatures of a Zen Master</i></small></i></i></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small>is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.</small></i></i></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small>Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of</small></i></i></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small>Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to</small></i></i></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><i><i><small>all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time</small></i></i></span></div><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17017153635384930856noreply@blogger.com0