by Daniel Doen Silberberg | Dec 5, 2010 | Uncategorized, Zen
In developing Lost Coin, what I hope we can do is create a culture. I believe this is close to what Shakyamuni Buddha wanted to do in his time. I hope this culture forgoes prejudice and superstition and, instead, relies on what is provable and at the same time is deeply rooted in the humility of what we do not understand.
Toward that end, I believe we can look at science and Zen as two sides of the same Lost Coin. Through science we can see we are connected to everything. A human and a tree share a common ancestor. We have the stuff of stars in our bodies. On the other side, by the experiential and verifiable method of zazen, we see the field of consciousness from which all thoughts and understanding arise. Science shows us the small transient speck we are in the limitlessness of reality. Zen reveals the absolute consciousness teach one of us possesses that encompasses everything.
We can build a culture of intelligence and consciousness that reveals our identity with all things. Both science and Zen embrace the unknown rather than simply “making believe” that we understand what we do not. Reason and “no mind” are two valuable parts of the mind- they are the two hands of knowledge. A culture that embraces them both may finally help put an end to the medieval thinking that still exists and be the start of a wondrous journey into our real potential.
photo credit: net_efekt
by Daniel Doen Silberberg | Sep 6, 2010 | Uncategorized, Zen
An excerpt from a recent talk at retreat in Upper Lake, California, August 2010
Dead tree. Blind donkey. Snow is magic, because it is not cold and wet. Nor is it a fortress for a snow fight. It is all of that. It is none of that. Nobody knows what snow is. The whole world is snow.
by Daniel Doen Silberberg | Jan 12, 2010 | Uncategorized, Zen
Thoughts on fear:
- The more conscious you are, the less fear you have.
- Exercise. We don’t feel fear consciously. No one says “I’ll get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee, then be scared to death.” The minute we are aware of fear it starts to fade since it wasn’t conscious to begin with.
- Stop and remember yourself. Focus on breathing. Concentrate on “I Am” on your out breath. Banish fear.
- A study of obese people showed that observing themselves naked in front of a mirror for 10 minutes each day was the most effective way to lose weight. Do this with your fear. Observe yourself. Just see fear for what it is. You won’t want to live with it.
by Kim Hancey Duffy | Mar 31, 2009 | Uncategorized, Zen
Daniel talked recently about actively “not knowing” what you are going to experience before you experience it. Don’t imagine you know what a Mormon temple looks like inside. Don’t imagine you know what a forsythia branch looks like in bloom. Go and take it in as if you’ve never seen one before.
This reminded me of a poem I have recited to myself every spring for the 20 years I’ve lived down a wooded lane. After months of snow, I’m so eager for the blossoms to emerge on the redbud tree. But what happens instead is a snowstorm, which threatens to dampen my spirits. After I remember this poem though, I go down the lane to see what surprises nature may have brought overnight. I’m glad I’ve been doing this for 20 years because, at 56 years old, I may have only thirty springs remaining to see the redbud tree in bloom.
Lovliest of Trees
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
A. E. Houseman
Photo by camra_art
by Daniel Doen Silberberg | Mar 26, 2009 | Uncategorized, Zen
Doen Sensei discussed the convergence of the study of excellence and the study of consciousness. The book “Talent Is Overrated” is mentioned with studies on high-performing individuals like Tiger Woods.
Sensei also talks about seeing reality.
Part 1
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXGiA6OhuYg
Part 2
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PMEEEGRqI
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