Ummon Streches Out His Hands

“Transcending life and death. Actualizing Zen spirit he casually cuts through iron and nails, he lightly moves heaven and earth.” So begins the latest teisho (i.e. place where the truth is) of Genjo Marinello Roshi of Choboji, entitled Ummon Stretches Out His Hands.”

As ever Genjo Roshi delivers a lively expression of not of so-called “zen-spirit” but Zen (unification) itself. During his teisho he encourages us to share our realization of Buddha (one who is spiritually awake – 360 degrees) nature. This is not as we understand it but know it at this moment. With surgical precision - goes on to point out that “Zen is always pushing us deeper. Always telling us that though we are whole from the get go we are never complete. That we are always learning and that there is always more to learn. And that though right at this moment we are perfectly imperfect, we always have further to go. We are always pressing on, no matter where we are in our training or our practice, to more depth, greater realization and deeper actualization of our practice and training in our ordinary lives.”

As I listen and consider what he’s saying, I’m encouraged not just to think about what is being said, but some how to experience this moment. Not to think compassion but to be compassion. Not to talk about friendship but to be friendship. Not to talk about being a dad but being dad. Not just to embrace but to embody allowing for fewer points of separation and gaps in my life.

Please know that you can download the Genjo Roshi’s podcast using iTunes or Switchpod.com for free. Please keep in mind that podcasts are not just for people with a "iPod" but any computer or MP3 player.

Love and Respect,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Positive Samadhi

One thing that I really look forward to every month is the teisho from Genjo Marinello Osho that I download from iTunes. At least once a week, I listen to one of them when I am doing Zazen. It really helps to direct my mind and encourage my Zen practice. I've come to regard this as invaluable and essential.

Over the weekend, I downloaded Genjo Roshi's latest teisho entitled "Positive Samadhi." His expression of Dharma gave me some new things to consider and use in my practice. One small example is the use of the word "Samadhi" itself. I have always be taught and heard this word to mean "complete absorption," or "one pointed, undivided, stabilized mind." Genjo Roshi however translated the word to mean "Harmony." He then goes on in a lively way to demonstrate this. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. This simple translation completely flipped my approach not only to the word "Samadhi," and his given me a new point of reference that impacts how I face my life. For me to say more would prove foolish. You will have to see what you can discover for yourself. If you do, please share it here with us.

As ever, if you want to listen, please know the following:

1. You don't need an iPod to enjoy podcast. All you really need is a computer.


2. You can download it from iTunes for free. Look in the podcast directory.


3. If you don't use iTunes, you can listen and download it for free at switchpod.com

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Can you express Mu?

Recently I caught a teisho (place where the truth is) by Ganjo Marinello Osho from Choboji on "Joshu's Say's Mu." Wow, wow, wow. No matter what adjectives that I use to describe its impact on me, they would fall short by an incalculable distance. This is a must listen. Though it's 23 minutes 57 seconds long, my guess is that it will leave a deep and lasting impression on you.

If you are interested in listening to it, download it from the iTunes "Podcasting" section. Please keep in mind that to enjoy Podcasts, you don't really need an iPod. At a minimum, you just need iTunes and a set of speakers (though I must admit, being able to move around with your content is a very nice thing to have in your pocket).

Enjoy,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO