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Thought Filters

Someone sent me an email describing some strange sensations and thoughts that ran through his mind every time he did zazen. Here’s how I answered: Yeah… Lots of things happen during zazen. It’s different for each person. The main thing to do with any sensations or feelings like these is to let them pass.  I […]

Now, Now, Now

Now, Now, Now

Someone sent an email asking me, “If everything really is no self, Big Self, or Buddha nature, how did small self get started? Is it something that just happens because it’s part of the human condition like original delusion or sin? Buddhism has an origin of evil conundrum just like theism.  Or are we just […]

The Origin of Greed Hate and Delusion

Someone asked me where greed, hate, and delusion come from. Here’s how I answered. Where do greed, hate, and delusion come from? People have been working on that question for centuries! My guess is that it’s rooted in the very existence of the separate self.  Now, there’s self and there’s Self. There are Buddhist teachings […]

Gummy Bears for Dinner and LARPing Zen

Last night at the Angel City Zen Center’s usual Monday meeting the folks there got into a discussion about LARPing Zen. LARP stands for “live action role playing.” Google’s online dictionary defines this as “a type of interactive role-playing game in which the participants portray characters through physical action, often in costume and with props.” […]

What Makes Someone a Zen Buddhist?

Here’s a question from the mail bag: What makes someone a Zen Buddhist? Perhaps, for I assume many others that come from Western Christianity, it is a holdover idea that we have to meet some kind of bar that makes us “valid” or “true believers.” Would it be someone who does zazen, follows the Eightfold […]