by Abby Mushin Terris | Apr 22, 2023
During the Koan Dreaming and Zen workshop this week-end we’re looking into a koan that brings up the importance not only of being able to access quiet, open awareness, but also to bear witness to all conditions in the day-to-day round that help us to awaken in our...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Apr 15, 2023
Around this time each year we begin to look ahead to precept study. The precepts are an essential practice in the life of a person of the Way. They guide us towards what is most essential for living an awake life and are an important expression of commitment in...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Apr 8, 2023
How we experience and enact our lives is always by means of our body, speech and mind. Realizing this is a tool for grounding zazen practice. They are where we turn awareness to. When we first sit down, we attend to how we arrange the body. In a grounded posture on a...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Apr 1, 2023
This week we’ll be exploring the far reaches of causes and conditions in all the ten directions………. Buddha fields that lie north, south, east, and west and northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest, as well as above and below. We experience our life and what lies...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Mar 25, 2023
This Sunday we will be celebrating our first shuso hossen. You may wonder what this is. Shuso (head trainee) is a traditional role in zen training for Zen students of long practice. They take on various responsibilities in order to make the zendo and zen center a...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Mar 18, 2023
The word Tao means the Way, the direct reality of life and the natural order of the universe. Before we put words to it, before thinking about it, not dependent on words…the lively reality of this moment continually arises. Thinking and words are also part of reality,...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Mar 11, 2023
There is a responsibility that comes with being human – to pay conscious attention, to attend to our thoughts, words and actions carefully. We are careful because these are what bring the world into being. You may notice that when you think and also when you...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Mar 4, 2023
There’s a metaphor, “turning on a dime” that describes one of the ways that we adjust to unexpected changes of conditions. A dime is a very small detail. And it is the small details that can cause us to pivot. Buddhism teaches that causes and conditions fashion our...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Feb 24, 2023
At the recent Board retreat the topic of Silver Dragon practice came up. This refers to an option that is particularly suitable for aged people, who could use an easier schedule at retreats in order to be able to attend at all. It’s important to be aware that part of...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Feb 18, 2023
What is the difference between practicing meditation only, on your own at home, and practicing in sangha at the Zen Center? It IS essential that you practice at home. It IS your own practice, after all, no matter where you are. And developing a habit of stopping...
