Pine Wind Zen Community Audio

Historically it is said that after his elightenment experience, The Buddha's first discourse was defined as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. He offered the first teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path to five fellow seekers, who at first denied him an audience...but after noticing something different in him, sat and listened. They became the first Sangha; the community. These Truths are the very essence and core of the Buddhadharma which asks us to return to them time and time again, taking refuge in the lived experience of what they offer: a way to perceive and participate in the great reality. So, understanding and practice leads to wisdom, and wisdom leads to actualization...to make it real.

Vasubandhu was a 5th century Buddhist monk who, along with his brother Asanga formulated the teaching called Yogacara. It arose as means of finding balance between the two major paths of the Early Buddhist teachings and The Mahayana teachings. Vasubandhu and Asanga sought to bring harmony to the vast differences in these two practices, showing that both of them have very important roles in freeing us from suffering and delusion. This talk with be an introduction only...the Thirty Verses are complex; but more importantly, an eye opening into the nature of the Egoic birth and ultimately, its overturning.

Because food is life, it is of upmost importance that we receive it with deepest gratitude. When we eat, we consume life. There isn't a meal that is taken without the expense of another lifeforce — "the practice of eating is the essential truth of all Dharmas. At the very moment of eating, we merge with ultimate reality” — Dogen Zenji. When we eat a meal we enter into the process of merging with everything that surrounds us. Eating becomes a celebration of the Dharma, with no separation between us and the universe.

CLIP: You Have to Come in to Win (Community) by Pine Wind Zen Community

From Saturday, June 15th, 2019

More Together Than Alone by Pine Wind Zen Community

A Passover and Easter Minute to Change the World by Pine Wind Zen Community

Getting Beyond Fear & The Illusion of Differences initiative arises directly from the Great Bodhisattva Vows: to alleviate the suffering of every human being; to put an end to all self-serving desires; to profoundly study and realize the Dharma; and to perfectly manifest this real truth in every aspect of our lives. Tonight we will examine how the Dharma can illuminate the persistent forms of bias that shape our experience of the world. The Dharma teaches that all beings are equal, and yet each day we encounter injustice, hatred, and violence that stem from a sense of self and other as divided and unequal. Transformation emerges from cultivating and nurturing awareness in every moment of our lives. When we clearly see how our preconceived notions and deep conditionings are functioning in our relationships with others, we can begin to dissolve the boundaries that we create between ourselves and others. Then we can relate to each other from the recognition that all beings, regardless of our apparent differences, share the same essential nature, all beings possess "Basic Goodness".

“And the simple fact that by being attentive, by learning to listen (or recovering the natural capacity to listen which cannot be learned any more than breathing), we can find ourself engulfed in such happiness that it cannot be explained: the happiness of being at one with everything in that hidden ground of Love for which there can be no explanations.” - Thomas Merton To "Hold Space" for ourselves and others, especially during this current uncertain and rapidly changing time in our world. The single most important gift we have to offer ourselves and others in "times of uncertainty" and in life itself is the wisdom, and the art of "Holding Space," being "A Place of Refuge." Tonight through a series of mental and physical exercises familiar in Zen Mind-Body Training and a Dharma Talk about about the Three Refuges of The Buddhadharma and how to develop a tender and open heart for ourselves and others, we will begin to lay the ground for being "Community" for our family, friends, neighbors, and the world during these troubling times.

Creating Clarity Through Morality & Mindfulness by Pine Wind Zen Community

As Spiritual and Religious Americans how do we respond to increasing violence, and the current rise of injustice, discrimination, racism, anti-semitism and hatred we are witnessing in our Country and around the World today? What would the Buddha do? What would Jesus do? What does the Torah teach us to do? Join Seijaku Roshi, Rabbi Simon, and Deacon Jim Casa for this most Inspiring, Educational, and Enlightening discussion!

The Truth will set you free, and the closer we get to our freedom, the more synonymous the effort and the reward. Spirituality or Training is about what Chogyam Trungpa called, "Cutting Through our Spiritual Materialism," both our cultural and social conditioning about being spiritual, ending our consumer oriented approach to being spiritual. Join Seijaku Roshi and Rabbi Richard Simon as they discuss "The Truth About Being Spiritual."

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." - Dwight D. Eisenhower Dedicated to the healing of Our Veterans Serving Around The World: A Day of Serene Meditation and Silence for The End of War in Our World Characterized by silence and deep introspection, sesshin is recommended to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing authentic Zen meditation training. We begin at early dawn to engage in a schedule that includes extended periods of zazen (seated meditation), kinhinn (walking meditation), chanting (liturgy), silent meals, silent work practice and Dharma talks. Sesshin is a unique opportunity to experience "training like a monk while not being a monk," draw from the tremendous strength of people practicing together and experience the deep stillness that lies within each one of us.

"Underneath all we are taught, there is a voice that calls to us beyond what is reasonable,and in listening to that flicker of spirit, we often find deep healing." Central to Authentic Spirituality (Zen) is the teaching that, "We are not who we think we are, or who we think we should be." Therefore the aim and objective of Zen is to "Awaken from a lifetime of Ego-Delusion" to discover who and what we truly are. In discovering our "True-Self" we discover all that we have spent our lifetime seeking to know and understand. This "Discovery" is always with us calling to us waiting for our "Yes". Tonight we make our way down an ancient path home.

Mindfulness and Meditation and washing the dishes, making the bed, doing the laundry go together. They always have gone together. How we hold the mundane speaks loudly about how we hold life. Sen Rikyu taught, "All can find peace in a bowl of tea." If you know how to make and drink a bowl of tea, if you know how to hold the tea bowl in your hands. Tonight we will explore how we can find "our Zen" at home and in the workplace. How we can "Be Home and Awake". If we can learn to appreciate the mundane, to appreciate our life, this is "The True Dharma Eye and Subtle Mind of Nirvana."

Life is always “urgent,” we are challenged everyday to meet demands on our time, responsibilities, and the unexpected; and whether we are aware or not, the truth of suffering or discontentment. What might support us to meet the challenge of everyday living? The Three Tenets are powerful skillful means for working with our emotions and meeting daily challenges with all victorious mastery. The Three Tenets are: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, Compassionate Response

At the moment we fully appreciate the Power of Living Authentically, everything changes and nothing is ever the same again. Opportunities never available to us before become possible. The past, the present, and the future all at once is transformed. We will explore the impact of living as Shakespeare described it "The Life of an Actor" has on our physical, mental, and emotional health, and how we can transform a lifetime of conciliation and return to our hopes and dreams we were meant to realize and enjoy.

Self-confidence is an essential ingredient in living an inspired and effective life. Cultivating confidence in yourself and about your life requires living in harmony with the real nature of life, clarifying what is really important and aligning your daily living activities and choices with what is important including the people, places, and activities which support you. Join Seijaku Roshi & Rabbi Richard Simon as we explore the Dharma of Living Fearlessly.

Ultimately the goal of any authentic Spiritual Path especially The Path of a Spiritual Warrior is "Communion"; First with Mystery, call it God or Dharma, or Buddha, it is that which is larger than ourself; next with the Teachings (Dharma) manifested in myriad forms of energy that make the Universe what it is, and finally with Others (Community or Sangha). Tonight we will discuss the concept of - The Three Jewels or Refuges of Buddhism and how it contrasts with faith-based beliefs such as, The Trinity, and how this concept when fully understood empowers anyone to create a conducive environment at home, in our relationships, in the workplace and in our daily lives for real "Community" what the Ancient Mystics referred to as "The Communion of Saints", and what Buddhism calls "Sangha". If Communion is not our Intention then truly we are destined to "wander from dark path to dark path". "Community may very well be the only antidote for a society where individualism has reached the level of the pathological."

"Even if the Sun were to rise in the West, the Bodhisattva knows One Way." For many Americans the Sun indeed rose in the West on Election Day and the reaction has left us with age old questions. Who are We? Who do we want to Be? Tonight we will explore The Way of the Bodhisattva - The Spiritual Warrior in the face of disappointment, grief, and impermanence. (Seijaku Roshi, Rabbi Richard Simon)

For so many of us fear can be crippling, stifling, getting in the way of our hopes and dreams, and yet it doesn't have to be that way! When we understand how the mind operates from moment to moment, especially when it is fearful, we can apply ancient wisdom, well-honed and proven to weaken the grip of fear - We can Be Courageous in the Face of Fear and Transform it for Our Benefit!

We are witnessing the most polarizing politics in modern American History. Should Bodhisattvas (Spiritual Warriors) become involved in the political arena as a method of helping everyone attain the requisites of a spiritual life? My answer to this question is "Yes." When we enter into the political discussion with Wisdom and Skillfulness, we are not dirtying our hands in a messy, mundane world that we should abandon, we are staying true to our intention of shedding light in the darkened corners of our world guiding everyone to the true and lasting happiness found on the spiritual path. Don't just be angry or worried, do something with that anger and fear - ENGAGE! (Recorded March 19, 2016)

"Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of our lives alone, we find it with another." Love is a Force of Nature. It pervades the entire Universe. It runs through everyone and everything. Revealing and available right here, right now. Yet Loving oneself and others continues to be the single most difficult experience in people’s lives. We will explore LOVE as a Force for Change, Healing, Renewal, and Direction. How we can access this pervasive energy at every moment even when it seems impossible. If we never discover Love's Energy for ourselves first and learn how to manifest it in everything we do and every day of our lives, nothing will change. Learn how to Love Mindfully, Compassionately, and with confidence.

In a Nation torn by so much polarization, violence, and so much inequality, how do we begin to heal and find the ground to come together. If we don't we can only expect more pain, more suffering. In the first 78 minutes we will watch the Award Winning Documentary "The Power of Forgiveness" followed by a group discussion and a Dharma teaching by Seijaku Roshi on the Healing Power of Forgiveness and Living a Compasionate-filled Life. http://www.thepowerofforgiveness.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1-BDwAqaPg

Living Mindfully helps us develop awareness of those habitual reactions rooted both in our genetic make-up and our early childhood experiences (pain body), then we retrain our minds to "respond", rather than react habitually, more skilfully and with real compassion for ourselves. Seijaku Roshi will begin by summarizing the teachings in Part 1, and guide us through several "mindfulness techniques" on and off the cushion designed to empower anyone to navigate through life's disappointments skillfully and with confidence.

"The road to the truth is paved with disappointments. When life disappoints we need not be "dis-appointed". The key is to stay the course. The truth which liberates us is never far away" Living Mindfully helps us develop awareness of those habitual reactions rooted both in our genetic make-up and our early childhood experiences, then retrain our minds to react or "respond" more skillfully and with real compassion for ourselves. Tonight Seijaku Roshi will leads us through a process well-honed and proven to empower anyone to navigate through life's disappointments skillfully and with confidence.

The Present is full of Yesterday and is moment to moment Creating tomorrow. "According to our yesterdays so shall today unfold, according to our interaction with the unfolding of today, so shall our tomorrows manifest." - Buddha The Buddha encouraged personal investigation of the mind as an essential practice leading to the highest level of conviction and of wisdom.This includes recognizing delusion, the root of all fear and anxiety, as unskillful mental factors. In this way Buddhism has tended toward the deconstruction of Pretense, not only in religious doctrine but in its many common everyday guises. We will explore the "Anatomy of Now" the present moment and see how it is "Full of Yesterday", and learn how to "separate the chaff from the wheat" in order to harvest a healthy and fulfilling tomorrow.

Is "Independence" an Illusion? What is the real meaning of "Freedom"? Do we have "Free Will"? What about my "Choices"? Is there such a thing as "Pre-destination" and "Free-Will"? The Buddha encouraged personal investigation of the mind as leading to the highest level of conviction and of wisdom. This includes recognizing delusion the root of all as unskillful mental factors. In this way Buddhism has tended toward the deconstruction of Pretense, not only in religious doctrine but in its many common everyday guises. The aim of Zen Spirituality is "Freedom", but what does it mean to be "truly Free"? Where do I find my own freedom from fear, stress, and anxiety in an Inter-Independent reality?

"What is lacking is virtue. Virtue is a force-of-nature a conduit for change. A force always to be reconciled with sooner-or-later. The only thing that has ever brought about real change in our world is the virtuous. The only thing that has caused war, poverty, injustice, and discrimination, are the non-virtuous." - Seijaku Roshi The Buddha characterized "The Way" as "The Noble Life". to live Nobly involves living "Authentically", at the level of "Excellence", and as a Benefit for others. The "Seven Heavenly Virtues" provide a context for living mindfully and, as a force for change in one's personal relationships and one's relationship with others including the Natural World. When embraced as a "way-of-living" they prove to be a powerful force for healing, renewal, and miracles.

As the seasons change so do we. Being Present to Life-Changes is Being Present to the Life-Force which renews, rejuvenates, and sustains all life forms. If it feels like life is passing you by - where are you? Being Present is an inherent quality we knew as children and begin to lose as our conditioning redirects us away from life and toward an egocentric experience of life which is not the same, resulting in a fear driven experience of life. We can "re-learn to live fearlessly" as we did as children and with wisdom to meet any challenges change brings our way. Tonight Seijaku Roshi brings insights and inquiry to questions of Opening the Heart to Lifes-Changes and, Mindfulness Practices for the "Super Busy" as a means for laying the groundwork for sustainability and fulfillment.

Imagine that there was nothing lacking in your life? That you had everything you needed and the world was filled with endless possibilities? Real change begins by taking our focus off the Kardashians and iPhones to take a look at what's going on inside. It calls for aiming the light inward. And, although our culture may consider sitting quietly with ourselves as painfully unproductive, "going within" is a long-proven path to inner peace. It is how we learn to align our life choices and way of living with our deepest human values. It is the way we uncover our purpose. Ultimately, it is how we change the World.

What would your life look like if you were enough? If at this very moment you simply declared, "I am enough!" Most of us haven't a clue as to how much of life's opportunities are lost in the pursuit of more, better, and different. When we just give up the pursuit of persons, places, experiences, and things to fulfill us, and love ourselves right where we are, opportunities both imagined and never imagined present themselves. Clarity, Courage, and Vitality naturally surface.

As we approach a new training period at Pine Wind in Shamong NJ (Ango) in September, this evening Seijaku Roshi will talk about the meaning of Living a Zen Inspired Life, the life and offerings of a the Zen community, and the inclusive and diverse nature of Zen spirituality. Cantor Robert Esformes joins Seijaku Roshi in this talk.

Roshi's Teisho held at a half-day sitting.

"The Flower doesn't dream of the bee. It blossoms & the bee comes." Vision is the Mind of God - Buddha-Mind, that infinite moment right before, "Let there be Light." What you have forgotten is, "You are the Light!", and "BEING" is the lamp post. All the flower does is "be the flower", "it blossoms and the bee comes". We live in a culture obsessed with "doing" in order to "have". When we are "doing" to have happiness, peace of mind, self-love, compassion, we are not "being". All of Nature is "Being", not doing anything. Neither the "birds of the air or the lilies of the field", and no where is anything lacking.

So many things seem to demand our time and attention in any given day. However if we never give our fullest attention to our most Elementary Presence - Being Present to Here and Now with Intention, dissatisfaction only compounds. The Buddhist formula for "Happiness" includes "Right View and Right Intention", whenever we are being distracted we are not living "On Purpose", and not living "Intentionally". So much of our dissatisfaction is sourced in distraction. However living Mindfully and with Awareness we become a powerful force both in our lives and in the world.

The Principle of Identity is cause in the matter of one's life. It not only creates the energy and space for possibilities but literally defines what is possible. Having a clearly defined "personal mission" or "vision" for one's life and, being unconditionally true to your "vision" creates the ground for long term well-being and happiness. "My vision for you and me is that we know ourselves and never forget again. That our lives be an expression of that knowledge, rather than an endless and unfulfilling effort to fulfill someone else's vision and arrive at the end of your life knowing that you lived someone else's life. I am convinced that all the world's problems are resolved based on this one principal, "To thine own self be true." - Seijaku Roshi

The definition of love in Buddhism is: wanting others to be happy. This love is unconditional and it requires a lot of courage and acceptance (including self-acceptance). There is no higher or greater purpose, or spiritual practice, than to "Love". 'Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained in one moment of love.' - Nagarjuna We will explore what Buddhist call "The Four Immeasurables" or "markings" of true love and the paradigm for true and lasting peace, happiness, and joy.

Compassion is not an ideal to strive for but rather the only ground for "human-being-ness". Until one gives up all ideas of "who you are suppose to be", and start loving who you really are, there are no possibilities for real happiness or well-being or for that matter, the world to ever change. Think of it! Love yourself as you really are - Change the World!

Is there anything we can learn from the holiday season about "happiness and joy"? The pursuit of happiness from the Buddhist point-of-view involves craving or desiring something we believe will give us happiness, or the desire for something more, better, or different than what's so now. This is also what the Buddha defined as "the cause for suffering" (the second noble truth). True happiness is not achieved by doing or pursuing, it is a function of "being". We will explore the questions, "What is the Happiness Code?", "How can we apply it not only during the holiday season but everyday?"

In the tradition of Zen training, meditation or Zazen is attention to details. We gather our attention and devote it with precision to body posture and breath, to the quality of our breath following each inhale and exhale, sitting upright to ensure that body-mind remains attentive to here and now. Cultivating precision in attending to details ultimately leads to greater ease in all areas of our living. Come explore The Art of Attention when meditating, communicating, parenting, in the workplace, wherever you are, whatever you're doing. The evening will include instructions in Zazen, practices for being present to yourself (intuitiveness) and others, and your environment.

Fundamental to Living a Zen-Inspired Life is realizing that, "Everything seen by the human eye is void, empty of any intrinsic value." Every experience is a function of the "meaning" we have given to any event, person, place, or thing. At anytime we can alter or change our experience no matter the circumstance or situation. When navigating through the many events of life, it is important to have the right questions. The most important question when managing stress and anxiety, grief or disappointment is, "What meaning am I giving to this?"

On the way toward truly being "Free" all "choices" must cease to exist except one, the "choice to be free". What is freedom? "It is the moment by moment experience of not being run by one's own reactive mechanisms." What does it mean to live one's life "on purpose"? If you really want to have "more hours in a day" take a look of how much of the day is wasted trying to meet "all the choices in your life"! Tonight we will explore "slimming down our lives" and "learning to live life more purposefully!"

Learn Mindfulness techniques for creating "ease and joy" throughout the day and at those moments we may be experiencing stress or anxiety, and when we need it the most.

Whenever we are closed to life as it is, all of it, we suffer and those we love and care about never really get to know us, or we them. Opening the Heart is the stuff of Authentic Spirituality and Living a Zen-Inspired Life, but it takes skillfulness and effort, courage and a commitment to loving oneself and life fully.

Living a Zen-Inspired Way-of-Life is the ground for Beyond Happiness and Real Transformation. Within our mind exists an extraordinary potential for inner peace and happiness. Through the simple practice of meditation, along with Buddha's time-tested advice for daily life, we can learn to access that potential. We can learn to let go of the agitated states of mind, such as anger, that produce unhappiness and instead we can cultivate peaceful, powerful minds such as compassion and wisdom.

How does the concept "Me, Myself, and I" contribute to stress and suffering in our lives? How often has our position to defend and protect "I" and "My" opinions, beliefs, or expectations compound the suffering in our relationships at home and in the workplace? We will look at the difference between a "Healthy Sense of Self" and the illusion "Me, Myself, and I" created by an "egocentric" point of view of oneself and the world, which continues to keep us stuck and endangers relationships at home and in the workplace. How to get out of the trap and live, love, and be joyful!

Bringing Mindfulness to Our Relationships "Whatever we give our attention to increases, whatever we don't decreases." Living a Zen Inspired Life is bringing Mindfulness to our Relationships at home, at work, in the community, and our friendships. We will explore the Inner Core of Mindfulness in Relationships which is called - Love Without the Stuff.

Aversion to anxiety is often accompanied by reactivity and actions that worsen how we feel. We suffer. Tonight’s presentation taught from the perspectives of Zen and Mindfulness meditation practices, is supported by the latest neuroscience and psychological research. Our focus will be on our direct experience. We will practice uncovering the natural state of a quieted mind, slowing down enough to see what is actually happening when we describe ourselves as anxious. As we cultivate the opportunity to be with what is actually happening with awareness and clarity, we can respond to difficulties with consciousness, ease and new choices, rather than with reactivity that at times can make things worse.