Lead With Your Heart

The Lore of the Dragon

This photo of an inscription and calligraphy is inside a book called “The Flight of Dragons.” John Daido Loori Roshi gave it to me in 1986.   I had been his student for 6 years at this time.  The recent death of Daido the Old Dragon, reminded me to look for it.  The lore of the Dragon is part of the ancient heritage of both the East and West. This lore was passed directly to me by Daido Roshi and is now part of the lore of Lost Coin.  The dragon referred to here is the one that fills heaven and earth, past and present. Its gigantic body reaches in all directions. Its flight dims the sun and darkens the stars. It’s eye is the awakened eye – your eye.

Doen

For Doen

The word Dragon itself
Means “Seeing”
You must never Meet a Dragon’s
Gaze or you will be Powerless.
When you see as the Dragon’s Eye
You are empowered.
Remember the Dragon Speaks
In Riddles and Koans.
It Knows as Much about you
As you know yourself.

Happy Birthday

Daido

Tremper Mountain
March 15, 1986

Tags: dragon, john daido loori

Observing Yourself and Your Practice

Observing ourselves can be difficult.  Often we find that observing ourselves throws us into a state where we doubt ourselves, we dislike what we see.  We identify with the negative aspects of ourselves instead of just seeing them and forget that we are perfect and complete to begin with.

Clarifying and embodying that perfection, that “Lost Coin”,  is our practice. Still we get lost in the woods. The woods are what we are observing – so we can get out – so we can find home.

Most of us enjoy amusing  stories about other peoples struggles with themselves, their practice, their teachers. Stories about getting stuck, but it’s something altogether different when we look at where we’re stuck. We don’t think that is so funny.

We can take a look at the places where we are stuck, even though it can be hard and try not to be too hard on ourselves in the process.  When you practice just try to see yourself, see yourself being right or angry or feeling like a victim or whatever your mechanical tendency is.

Try to think of it like being an athlete:  a tennis player might observe that she has a weak backhand.  Her opponent will always hit to her backhand, but if she sees that’s a weak spot that is very important – she can work on it.

We all have a weak backhand, whatever it is, and that’s what we called the Chief Feature – the default behaviors and perceptions. This does not change the fact that we are perfect and compete. Even what we see as our greatest failings are part of the perfection. Becoming conscious of these area clarifies that perfection.

We can find that weak backhand and really look at it.  Do it objectively, do it repeatedly, and don’t be too self-critical.  Just seeing it, becoming conscious of it is our practice. Certain weeds only grow in the dark.

Photo by Kamal H.

Tags: chief feature, mechanical, self-observation, tennis

Poem for Daido

It was everything really
The sound of the snow as I shifted from foot to foot.

The air sharp, thin and cold
The white pines long arms reaching skyward
Needles turning in the wind.

The chanting.
Fire in the stone pit
The smell of char.

The burned paper notes of remembrance float
Around me
In the wind:
they are passing through the needled branches of the white pines,

black moths
set free.
In memoriam, John Daido Roshi
2009

~Caryn Silberberg

Photo by Ba Rea

Tags: Caryn Silberberg, daido roshi, john daido loori, Zen Mountain Monastery

Happy Birthday Lost Coin!!!!

On Tuesday February 14, 2006, Doen Sensei started a study group called “Exploring Excellence.”  Elena James, Steve Marteney, Joan Degiorgio, and I were there on that first night, and many others who have come and gone since those days.  Other current students of Lost Coin started with the group soon thereafter including Sterling Okura and Tawni Anderson.

After four years of Lost Coin, I can sincerely say that you are all wonderful people and each of you have changed me and helped me endlessly.  Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Lost Coin; it is so important to have the support and help of others in this practice.

Most of all, thank you Doen for four years of effort, inspiration, and patience.  And Caryn, thank you for your good humor and high tolerance as we invaded your home, your time, and Doen’s attention.

With students now in multiple countries and many states, and with groups in Dusseldorf, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco, the fifth year of Lost Coin promises to be the best yet!  Thank you for making that so.

Love,
Rebecca Ryuen Long Okura

Tags: anniversary, birthday, Caryn Silberberg, commitment, help, lost coin, love, patience, Sangha, support, tolerance