clearstreamzendo

This week’s topic for reflection is being embodied. Yes, being embodied as a human being. Please take as much time as you can this week to recognize what it’s like to be alive as a human being in your body. Here are a few points I would like to make about this. For example we have feelings or emotions with our body. They include sadness, fear, joy, confusion, anger, and determination among others. How often are your emotions the boss that determines your actions? Which ones are really...

This week’s topic for reflection is living and Dying. Please reflect on the nature of life and the nature of death and their relationship. We approach our own death in different ways. It seems some people are so afraid of the idea of their own mortality they don’t want to think about it or talk about it. Others seem to be okay about it without really addressing the reality of it. It takes courage to approach the unknown and inquire with open curiosity. We are capable of seeing the...

This week’s topic for reflection is “Your presence makes a difference.” Being present to your situation, to how you are feeling and what you are thinking and being present to those around you is vitally important. Being present means seeing the way things are with curiosity and wonder. Curiosity as if it’s new, because it is new. Meditation is a good way to practice being present. Zazen in its pure form is simply being present. In order to do this we have to allow ourselves to become...