Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Having No Agenda

Still in the spiritual department, I read a review on Mother Teresa's letters to her spiritual director in which it said she no longer believed in God from the moment she began working with the sick and dying. Some are called to have an agenda. Some are free of agenda and can act freely according to circumstances. In fact, Zen leads us to that freedom where we can forget about it all. Then we can just enjoy our lives and do what we like doing.

Those of you who liked the Clipper Tea blog may enjoy this anecdote. Maezumi Roshi was entertaining Tich Nat Hahn in true Japanese style. He offered him some tea while Tich Nat Hahn kept talking about the meaning of Zen. Roshi kept filling his cup. Eventually Tich Nat Hahn had to stop talking about Zen to ask "Why do you keep pouring me more and more tea?".

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Special Bells

I was banging away on the cat dish this morning with a fork. A carer immediately appeared and said;
"I know you are Buddhist, hope you don't mind me asking but is that a special bell that you are ringing like we ring at Angelus?"
"Oh" I said "it's a special bell for the cat, I suppose."

She was right in a way. It was a special bell. Apart from the cat, that bell saves the life of a mouse or a bird, and future generations or meals for others. And on it goes. Karma goes backwards too. Not to mention what goes into the cat food can. But is there really such a thing as Karma? (Cause and effect) A good question to ask yourself. "Firewood is not Ash," remarked Great Zen Master Dogen.

Later two Jehovas' Witnesses came to the door and gave me a copy of their magazine. "Is there anything we can help you with?" they asked "or anything you need?"

To have the courage and willingness to help a complete stranger would be so good, especially if we have no agenda.

To be continued...

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Hit Him with Your Wooden Spoon

Crashed to the floor this morning. Ouch! Just cracks, not broken - much as the villagers probably think of yours truely.

Reminds me of a Tshirt I once saw that bore the message "Only This". Gosh, imagine being someone under torture as we hear about all the time in the papers. No wonder people believe in their Gods.

Do you remember Master Dogens' Shakyamuni Buddha sitting on the cooking pot? "Hit him with your wooden spoon!" he adjured the cook.

Thats all for now, got to go feed the cat.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Have a Cup of Tea

Congrats to the Co-op for its' Fair Trade organic tea. I like my tea with a Yogi tea bag added with milk and sugar. It gives a taste of Nepal. Yogi tea also serves a smidgen of Yogi wisdom at the end of a string. My quotation would be; 'From the great Zen master Maezumi Roshi - "Appreciate your life".


Enjoy your tea!