Nothing is pin-downable

SCRIBBLES by Ansgar Holmberg, published with permission, 2005.

Trial & Error

I wanted to post a few clarifications in regards to this teaching on refuge. We spoke of "trial & error" as the method of practice with the precepts. We try this and make a mistake and we try that and make a mistake; adjustments to our life and heart; the adjustments, the errors are part of the refuge not separate from it.

Also, I want to clarify the 3 ways which I think I muddied up a little. Here they are:

1. concrete refers to taking refuge in the historical process of the legendary buddha; icons etc
2. more intimate: refers to contact and interaction with teachers whether things or beings
3. most intimate: your own heart and mind which is also in engagement with others & self

Thank you
Liz

Slow skill

It is better for us to build the skills of dharma, the skills of turning inwardly in a slow way; not rushed as if to get to a goal...mindful of each stitch, of looking at each piece of cloth, care filled consideration; not too slow, not too fast...there is no hurry, there is no goal; this practice is consistent in every posture...sitting, standing, lying down and walking...pulling thread is just the same as zazen...

Thank you.

Sorry, the photos are out of sequence

Well, everything is a little challenge; I will number the sequence with a little title...packets with samples will be sent and given to everyone...use these phtos to take a look at what you get in the mail.

Thank you.
Liz

You hold the thread with the needle to pull the knot # 3

Start a knot # 1

You pull the thread through to start the knot # 2

Put them together like this....

Wrong sides together; b & d types top line on the tan bottom on the cho; reverse for a,c,e types

 

The point of the needle up 3/8 of an inch apart from the last stitch on the bottom side of the drawn line

Completiing the stitch

 

Start the stitch like so

Making a stitch like this one.

These are the tans and chos

Step One Instructions will come by mail

 

Refuge

When you feel like you are not taking care of your life where do you go for refuge? When you feel shakey or shaken or frightened?

Prayer
Food
Love
Another Person
Drugs
Smoking
Talking
Try to calculate a solution
Figuring
Your intellect
Drifting
Worry
Sex
Money
Work

How do you take care of your life? Of life? Where do you go? What do you do?

Living a Stupid Life

A student went to his teacher and whined, “ I live a stupid life.”
“From the very beginning,” replied the teacher.
Surprised, the student repeats, “from the very beginning?”
“Yes! And I suspect without neglect.”

Although the student whines he or she is awakening to the true situation. It takes a certain glimpse of wisdom to see that we live stupid lives, lives that are anchored in self-centered ignorance. And as the teacher says so emphatically, we do this without neglect. The teacher continues to speak and tell the student that the cry of a stupid life is the cry for freedom. The nurse for such a whine is the milk of loving-kindness, the heart of compassion and the wisdom of the teachings.
To study the precepts is to study the teachings in the middle of stupidity. It, however, requires an alert, responsive and sincere heart to see the wisdom in these teachings. We need not see them as mere rules to measure your self or others, but as food for the moans of stupidity.
Each one helps us wise-up and tend to our liberation.
Seeing for our self that we live a stupid life is a step towards wising up.
Picking up the precepts helps us see how to live wisely, in loving-kindness, and compassionately. They are milk for your cry, not for the cry of someone else.
They are not weapons to be used to judge or harm anyone.