Be Your Own Therapist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasIq4E9nNg

This is a link to last night's dharma talk shared at the Mid City Zendo.  It was delivered by Tibetan Nun, Robina Courtin.  She is ED of the Liberation Prison Project among other things.  I will go out on a limb and speak for the others but I think it had a profound impact on all of the folks who were present.  I won't spend too much time trying to articulate how my mind (and heart) were a little bit blown by the words of this fierce woman.  It spoke to the suffering that every individual feels as a basic part of being human and it gave permission to feel that.  Perhaps more importantly it also gave power to every person to choose a path towards letting go of that suffering.  I just deleted a whole bunch of the rambling I said I wouldn't do, just give it a listen, maybe with a few other people so you can discuss.  I feel like in the discussion after I had a metaphorical group hug with the sangha, feeling very connected and understood.  Thanks y'all!
-Lauren

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Lauren here.

Today we had a surprise first timer at the Toulouse Street Zendo for 6:30am zazen.  It’s still novel when someone besides Austin, Emily and I are sitting in the morning.  There were several wonderful things that came up for me with her arrival.  First, practical things, I spotted her out of the corner of my eye standing on the porch.  I poked my head out and said “come on in!”  I realized that there is no sign to prompt a newcomer to just walk right in.  I also remembered (again) that the flier on the door is not updated with the new morning schedule and she thought perhaps she was late for 5am zazen!  

Second, on a more personal level, I was struck by just how open this young woman was.  She jumped right in and followed along.  She seemed to have very little expectation about what she might find at this little zendo.  She didn’t seem self-conscious or afraid or judgmental.  After zazen and ceremony we relaxed with some coffee and she said she had always been interested in Buddhism and even had a book by the Dalai Lama that she finally started reading.  She asked questions, we discussed our experiences, our approach at Mid-City Zen (open and warm-hearted), and what we all work and struggle with (she discovered the secret, zazen is hard!!).

I was really inspired this morning.  It’s a reason to get up and sit :-)

ch-ch-ch changes...

Michaela here,
Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my priest ordination.  What a year it has been...
I was sorting through my belongings (most of which, according to Koji, are sweaters and photocopies) and I stumbled upon (a photocopy of) the verses I had to memorize for the ordination ceremony.

The one that stood out most was "Everything is changed... except my deep desire to live in truth with all beings."
YES.
Things have changed this year, and continue to do so.
On the first of November Koji and I will set out from San Francisco and head south, to New Orleans. 

We are ready...
Ready to join our little livingroom-turned-meditation hall and our wonderful friends... Ready to see what happens, to sit, bow and chant... to open our hearts, be still, be active, to give...