Posted on

New Sitting Day and Time Wednesdays 6-7:30am (Starting Dec. 4)

On December 4 2013, Blue Mountain Zendo will be adding a weekly Wednesday morning sit from 6-7:30am. Out of all the great sitting times, dawn is the most moving for me. What a great way to begin your day, still and wide awake!

For years, I have heard the same question being asked, “How do you practice at work.”  I respond with something along the lines of “Just work”. My answer is usually met with a look of confusion and disbelief. Sometimes they think I am joking. How could this be so? I know, too simple. There must be more, and where is the dog and pony show? There must be some theory, ritual, or some additive to make work “spiritual”. How could something as simple as sitting in silence, transform a day of pressure and PowerPoint, into peace and possibility? It all starts with you! Everything you need you have, actually, you have much more than you need, and zazen is the distillation process which helps you filter out much of that draining sludge. What is left is the fertile soil of a still and present mind which functions much more efficiently and effectively than a mind full of silt. On a very basic level, we may find that we tend to be calmer and more productive at work, and on another level, we may realize that there is no intrinsic difference between what we designate as spiritual and not spiritual. Could it be that simple? Are we the gatekeepers of the barrier which prohibits us from seeing the perfection in our every step? Could it be that no matter what we experience it is merely a different flavor of the same essence? Yes, there are myriads of flavors, and every moment is different from the last. Some flavors are strong, some are subtle, some we like, and some we don’t, nevertheless, it IS the same wondrous nature. The most powerful teaching I ever received was “Just keep sitting”, pretty simple, I took it to heart. After twenty years, I still view that “just keep sitting” as inexhaustible. Every moment is an inexhaustible opportunity to practice, and I hope together we can sit and enjoy the dawn of the breaking day.

Posted on

Blue Mountain Zendo’s 13th Annual Obon Celebration

obon 036Obon, at Blue Mountain Zendo, is Saturday August 17 2013 from 6-9:30 pm and we are preparing for a wondrous evening of family and celebration. Obon is an opportunity to take a backward step and celebrate life with our family and friends, bo…th living and deceased. With the rush of our daily lives, and our habitual pursuits, we loose our connection and grounding with those whose who have given our lives its shape. There appears to be a forward only direction when perceiving time in the west, and what is viewed as in the past, is forgotten and given little significance other than a passing cue and ensuing memory. Time is not so linear, within the present is both the past and future working within a beautiful synergy to create what is THIS. They reside within one another, and although we separate them, and draw clear lines between them, this is of no significance to anything but, ourselves. The mind can resurrect worlds of ash and summon things to come at the turning of word or the sway of a willow. During Obon we suspend linear time and invite the spirits to once again walk within our world and partake of food and drink through our presence. We light the temple bonfire and call their names IMG_6639to help the spirits find us. We also offer those stray spirits who have no one to call their names rice and water to honor and care for them. Our ancestors then visit with us and enjoy the food, drink and music that is offered in their honor. Through us, they once again return and remind us of their presence; in our lives, guiding our hand, in every exhalation and inhalation they sit in shadow, hidden by our linear mind. At the close of Obon, it is time for the spirits to return to their place, and they are sent off with silence and deep gratitude. In their rightful place, our ancestors are now content and live on as a part of us, our families and our lives.
Posted on

Rohatsu Sesshin January 17-22 2014

Genjo-MarinelloGenjo Marinello  Oshō began his Zen training in 1975 and was ordained as a novice monk, in   1980. From 1981-1982 he trained at Ryutaku-ji in Japan with Sochu Rōshi and Soen   Nakagawa Rōshi. Marinello later continued his training with Eido Shimano   Rōshi, abbot of Dai Bosatsu Monastery. On May 21, 2008, Marinello received   dharma transmission from Eido Shimano Rōshi, in a ceremony also involving his   former teacher Takabayashi. Marinello is a  licensed psychotherapist, a member of the interfaith organization Spiritual   Directors International, and of the American Zen Teachers Association.

Posted on

Blue Mountain Zendo Winter Sesshin December 14-21 2012

“Sesshin”, literally “to collect the mind”, is the Zen Buddhist seclusion or intensive, consisting of seven days of silent meditative practice, Dharma talks (sermons) and a private interview twice a day with Rev. Joriki Baker, a Zen monk. During Sesshin, the student concentrates on nothing but collecting the scattered shards of the mind so that they can realize/remember their original unity with the universe from which they ordinarily feel separated from. This experience of unity is just the beginning of true Zen Practice, however, many settle for just this experience. The Zen rabbit hole is infinitely deeper and ever more amazing than any concept or philosophy we could ever manifest or filter through. For centuries, philosophy and religion have tried to evoke this awakened state but, with with transitory results at best. This awakening is beyond word and letter and requires an honest and inward investigation which helps to uncover and manifest our inner nature which is the focal catalyst that initiates the restorative process required to take our rightful place as Buddhas.
Sesshin is the core of all Zen Buddhist Practice. While other traditions tend to be distracted by the playful words left by the Buddhas of the past, Zen concerns itself with the engagement, validation, and embodiment of such wisdom. In other words, some traditions study the path of Ancient Buddhas while others walk their own path using the advice of Ancient Buddhas as encouragement. Sesshin is the time for the inward exploration of our essential self and ultimately the relinquishment of even that. Sesshin is a time for women and men to come together and support each other in this most noble of quests. As a sangha, in sesshin, we experience together our struggles, our wonders, our tears, and our joy which arise during our practice time together. Sesshin at Blue Mountain Zendo includes lodging, meditation instruction, koan practice, samu practice, chanting practice, vegetarian meals, daily woodland walking meditations and daily private interviews.

FMI Call: 610-760-3033 or Jisha@BlueMountainZendo.org
WWW.BlueMountainZendo.org

* In memory of Taipo Joe McIntyre, Zenji

Posted on

Fudo Myo-o Unveil Sept. 14 2012

Sept. 14 2012 the Blue Mountain Zendo Sangha will meet at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem at 7:00pm to witness the unveil of our Fudo Myoo drawing completed by artisan Arturo. The gallery is on the second floor and all are invited to come.

 

https://www.artsquest.org/directions/

 

Posted on

Mini Retreat October 27-28 2012

There will be an overnight retreat on October 27-28 2012 at the temple in Allentown. The retreat will start Saturday at 7pm and end at 8pm on Sunday. The retreat is all inclusive and the cost is $60.00. This is a great way to experience extended periods of Zen Practice without the week long commitment of sesshin. Our mini retreats are based upon the standard monastic sesshin schedule. Please call for more information 1-484-268-0724 or email the Jisha at Jisha@BlueMountainZendo.org.

Posted on

Obon Reminder August 18 2012

Obon is this Saturday August 18 2012 and we are preparing for a wondrous evening of family and fun. Obon is an opportunity to celebrate our family and friends both living and deceased. With the rush of daily life and the pursuit of the grasping and consuming self we loose our connection and grounding with those whose who have given our lives its shape. There appears to be a forward only

direction when perceiving time in the west, and what is viewed as in the past, is forgotten and given little significance other than a passing cue and ensuing memory. Time is not so linear, within the present is both the past and future working within a beautiful synergy to create what is now. They reside in one another, and although we separate them, and draw clear lines between them, this is of no significance to anything but, ourselves. The mind can resurrect worlds of ash and summon things to come at the turning of word or the sway of a willow. During Obon we suspend linear time and invite the spirits to once again walk within our world and partake of food and drink through our being. We light the bonfire and call their names to help the spirits find us. We also offer those stray spirits who have no one to call their names rice and water to honor and feed them. Our ancestors then visit with us and enjoy the food, drink and music that is offered in their honor. Through us, they once again return and remind us of their presence; in our lives, guiding our hand, in every exhalation and inhalation they sit in shadow, hidden by our linear mind. At the close of Obon, it is time for the spirits to return to their place and they are sent off with silence and deep gratitude. In their rightful place, our ancestors are now content and live on as a part of us, our family and our lives.