One body

For those who don’t know, I am currently studying to become a community-engaged Buddhist minister with the Zen Peacemaker’s Order: https://zenpeacemakers.org/

From my reading this week in Infinite Circle: Teachings in Zen, by Bernie Glassman, founder of Zen Peacemaker’s International:

“We don’t go to the other shore; the other shore comes to us. Something happens and we awaken to the realization that under our feet lies the shoreline. 

This very body is the Buddha, and all the sounds of the world–everything that happens as is–are the Buddha’s teachings.

Everything in Zen is present perfect tense. There is no future, no past–it’s all now.

There’s nowhere to go, nowhere to reach, it’s all here, all One Body, one thing. Since we are already here, we are already at the end of the path and we are also at the beginning. 

We don’t practice to become enlightened, we don’t practice to realize something, we practice because we are enlightened.”     

Way of Council

When we meet in our weekly circle, we use the Way of Council to surface our intentions for the journey using the sacred drumbeat:

When listening, listen from the heart without analyzing, agreeing, or disagreeing.

When speaking, speak from the heart, naming what is alive right now.

Be lean of expression, going to the core of what needs to be spoken.

Be spontaneous, trusting what comes, rather than what one has rehearsed or what one thinks should be said.

With deep respect for each others’ privacy and the transiency of the moment, we keep confidence regarding what is spoken, not engaging with participants over what is said nor sharing specific content with others.

RSVP

Our free soul-tending circle will be held this week on Friday, February 24, from 4-6 pm PST/7-9 pm EST.

Email your interest to anna “at” gaiaanimism “dot” com for this week’s zoom invitation.  All skill levels are welcome.

I hope you will join us this week.

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