Gaia: Connect. Grow. Inspire. Empower.

The Warrior Bodhisattva

Posted on Sep 2nd, 2007 by JewelMountain

Renunciation does involve discrimination. Within the basic context of openness there is a discipline of what to ward off, or reject, and what to cultivate, or accept. The positive aspect of renunciation, what is cultivated, is... More »

Nagarjuna

Posted on Aug 2nd, 2007 by JewelMountain

What do you think Of a freedom that never happens? What do you make Of a life that won't go away? In seeing things To be or not to be Fools fail to see A... More »

Zen Variations

Posted on Jul 15th, 2007 by JewelMountain

Life

Posted on Jul 15th, 2007 by JewelMountain

In a single grain of sand Rests the whole universe, And in a single star twinkling The vicissitudes of a millenium. In the boundless universe, O this infinitesimal life of mine! But as a being... More »

Silent Night

Posted on Jul 15th, 2007 by JewelMountain

On the yard I swept clean, worrying If my steps would disturb The starlight showering. From the tree falls A single leaf Silently.

Eyes To See & Ears To Hear

Posted on Jul 7th, 2007 by JewelMountain

Here's a nice little video from Brother David Steindl-Rast.  I met Brother David at Tassajara a couple years ago when he was having public dialogues with Haller Roshi.  He's a very inspiring figure.  He teaches... More »

Full Circle - Return To Trinity

Posted on Jul 4th, 2007 by JewelMountain

So two years ago i was staying at San Francisco Zen Center for a three week intensive.  Somewhere towards the end of the second week i think, my teacher Ryushin Haller Roshi asked if anyone... More »

Suzuki Roshi's Zen

Posted on Jun 24th, 2007 by JewelMountain

7) Whole heartedness in all activity. Suzuki-Roshi often spoke of the nature of time. that it is not an unfolding of things in a linear or accumulative way, but rather the depth and completion that... More »

Suzuki Roshi's Zen 6. Relationship with a Teacher

Posted on Jun 21st, 2007 by JewelMountain

A close and loving relationship with a teacher... Almost everyone who came into contact with Suzuki-Roshi was deeply affected by the experience, and I find it inspiring to listen to the warmth and immediacy with... More »

Suzuki Roshi's Zen 5. Kindness and Toughness are not different

Posted on Jun 21st, 2007 by JewelMountain

Kindness and toughness are not two different things. Suzuki Roshi did some hard training in his youth. his original teacher Gyokujun So-on was very tough. Today, in our world, we might almost call him an... More »