Saturday, October 2, 2010
Michaelfest
Life has been very hectic in the parish and in my life. We have just finished our second annual Michaelfest at Tetbury Catholic Church. We had a good musical recital on Friday evening (September 24) but the attendance was sparse and the art exhibition was on Saturday with Tetbury Art Society contributing much of the artwork. In church we had an exhibition of the wonderful art of a parishioner Pat Sampson. The festive masses went well with Fr. Paul Lyons from the seminary at Wonersh preaching his theme was on the discipleship that stems from our baptism. The conclusion was an ecumenical Vesper service which included all the churches in Tetbury including St. Mary's Anglican church choir that contributed a psalm and an anthem. Fr. John Wright the vicar preached and without any previous consultation he also preached on discipleship and our common baptism which unites us all. I feel that my Zen work has taken a bit of a back burner with all the time I put in preparing for and at Tetbury for the Festival. My health doesn't seem to have been too good either what with sciatica and the a very heavy cold. But life goes on relentlessly. The Pope's visit went much better than expected and he did well to play to the crowds. However I personally still feel somewhat concerned that there is still the lack of implementation of the Vatican II teaching on collegiality and the power structure of the church to the diminishment of the authority of local bishops. I still feel that the Pope and the bishops have not really taken responsibility for their share in the child abuse scandal or done enough to help the victims. I also feel for all those theologians who have been so censured by the Curia without due process. There still seems so much injustice when we are supposed to be the champions of justice.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
OUR DAILY BREAD
Here is something Iwrote for the monthly magazine that goes to all the 4100 homes in Tetbury. I thought you might enjoy? it.
This is the season when we customarily celebrate our harvest thanksgiving. This year perhaps important than ever I am so conscious of the great gifts we receive from all those who work hard to provide us with our food. From my youth I remember that in our village church in rural north Devon we always had some sheaves of corn and a large loaf of bread fashioned in the shape of a sheaf of corn. Bread is such a basic part of food the world over and this year I am especially concerned for those many countries and regions in the world where the food crops have either been destroyed or at least diminished by either droughts or floods or, as in the case of Niger, both. So many people throughout the world simply do not have the necessary food to sustain life and the malnutrition is simply horrendous. It is these people that have come to my mind each time I say those words in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” For Christians in those counties that are suffering food shortages this must be particularly poignant with a heartfelt plea that their lives will have enough to sustain them and their children. This has been the case of course right from those earliest biblical days when the prayer was written in the Gospels. But for those early Christians the mention of “Bread” also carried the meaning of the bread that they would receive in Holy Communion at the Eucharist. This gives a fuller meaning of course to the phrase “We become what we eat.” For them and for us “Bread” not only means their food but all that sustains our life. We realise that our all the elements of our lives, including the spiritual dimension, are nourished not only by the food we eat but in so many other ways as well.
An acute awareness of this intimate connection between the physical and the spiritual surely engenders a sense of compassion for those who are suffering any way. Just as receiving the Bread in Holy Communion demonstrates our oneness in Christ so we are at one with those who suffer. We are indeed also one with them and we too suffer with those who are suffering from the lack of the bread in both the physical and the spiritual sense. As we pray the Lord’s prayer we can particularly hold them in our hearts as at this is a time we can give thanks for all of that is truly nourishing enabling us to live the fullness of life. A few years ago I came across an interesting poem called “Bread” by the Irish poet Brendan Keneally which will perhaps point us in the right direction.
Bread
Someone else cut off my head
In a golden field.
Now I am re-created
By her fingers. This
Moulding is more delicate
Than a first kiss,
More deliberate than her own
Rising up
And lying down.
Even at my weakest, I am
Finer than anything
In this legendary garden.
Yet I am nothing till
She runs her fingers through me
And shapes me with her skill.
New & Selected Poems 1960-2004, Bloodaxe Books 2004
This is the season when we customarily celebrate our harvest thanksgiving. This year perhaps important than ever I am so conscious of the great gifts we receive from all those who work hard to provide us with our food. From my youth I remember that in our village church in rural north Devon we always had some sheaves of corn and a large loaf of bread fashioned in the shape of a sheaf of corn. Bread is such a basic part of food the world over and this year I am especially concerned for those many countries and regions in the world where the food crops have either been destroyed or at least diminished by either droughts or floods or, as in the case of Niger, both. So many people throughout the world simply do not have the necessary food to sustain life and the malnutrition is simply horrendous. It is these people that have come to my mind each time I say those words in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” For Christians in those counties that are suffering food shortages this must be particularly poignant with a heartfelt plea that their lives will have enough to sustain them and their children. This has been the case of course right from those earliest biblical days when the prayer was written in the Gospels. But for those early Christians the mention of “Bread” also carried the meaning of the bread that they would receive in Holy Communion at the Eucharist. This gives a fuller meaning of course to the phrase “We become what we eat.” For them and for us “Bread” not only means their food but all that sustains our life. We realise that our all the elements of our lives, including the spiritual dimension, are nourished not only by the food we eat but in so many other ways as well.
An acute awareness of this intimate connection between the physical and the spiritual surely engenders a sense of compassion for those who are suffering any way. Just as receiving the Bread in Holy Communion demonstrates our oneness in Christ so we are at one with those who suffer. We are indeed also one with them and we too suffer with those who are suffering from the lack of the bread in both the physical and the spiritual sense. As we pray the Lord’s prayer we can particularly hold them in our hearts as at this is a time we can give thanks for all of that is truly nourishing enabling us to live the fullness of life. A few years ago I came across an interesting poem called “Bread” by the Irish poet Brendan Keneally which will perhaps point us in the right direction.
Bread
Someone else cut off my head
In a golden field.
Now I am re-created
By her fingers. This
Moulding is more delicate
Than a first kiss,
More deliberate than her own
Rising up
And lying down.
Even at my weakest, I am
Finer than anything
In this legendary garden.
Yet I am nothing till
She runs her fingers through me
And shapes me with her skill.
New & Selected Poems 1960-2004, Bloodaxe Books 2004
Thursday, September 2, 2010
September Already
Yes I can hardly believe that it is September already and for me it has brought a rather unpleasant "S" as well. I am suffering with a rather painful bout of sciatica which is quite de-energising!
Recently I watched an old film " The Man for All Seasons" - the story of St. Thomas More. I was particularly struck by the way that he remained faithful in his allegiance to the Catholic Church while at the same time so critical of many of the details of the institution. I guess that It where so many people are today particularly those who like me are committed to the central teachings of the Second Vatican Council which appear to be being undermined. I am especially speaking about the nature of the church and most notably the real implementation of collegiality with the Bishops really given authority to lead their own diocese rather than being controlled by out of touch figures in the Vatican curia. My dear friend Cardinal Hume had many a tussle with them and i take him as a model with his understanding of the church as "Communion" This is particularly evidenced today in the Vatican's control of local churches and their liturgy. I think the Bishops need to just simply say as a Body we are not going to do this. I think that there is a little precedent on this with the Catholic Bishops in Canada who decided to use the Catholic version of the NRSV translation for their liturgy. It was approved by the Cngregation for worship in the Vatican so they went ahead only to be told later by the CDF that they were not to use it as it had doctrinal flaws! The bishops simply said well they have the books all printed and they are using it already so they weren't going to stop! i think the Bishop's conferences should all take a similar line and just make their own decisions as that is what their ordinations define that they are capable of doing!
I am also finding Cynthia Bourgeault's book "The Wisdom Jesus" quite fascinating. it looks at Jesus in the Scriptures through a contemplative lens which is very powerful It is much like the last couple of books by Fr. Richard Rohr and also fits well with the work of Fr. Bruno Barnhart. The book is summed up well in words by Jim Marion " She invites us to follow Jesus's path of self-emptying love and she describes wisdom (contemplative) practices that we Christians can use every day to transform (Awaken) our own minds so that we too can see with the eyes of Christ" _ that seems to me to be a good description of what we who are Christians do when we practice Zen.
So what we should do now is quit reading this and sit in some form of contemplative silence for 25 minutes - RIGHT NOW!
Recently I watched an old film " The Man for All Seasons" - the story of St. Thomas More. I was particularly struck by the way that he remained faithful in his allegiance to the Catholic Church while at the same time so critical of many of the details of the institution. I guess that It where so many people are today particularly those who like me are committed to the central teachings of the Second Vatican Council which appear to be being undermined. I am especially speaking about the nature of the church and most notably the real implementation of collegiality with the Bishops really given authority to lead their own diocese rather than being controlled by out of touch figures in the Vatican curia. My dear friend Cardinal Hume had many a tussle with them and i take him as a model with his understanding of the church as "Communion" This is particularly evidenced today in the Vatican's control of local churches and their liturgy. I think the Bishops need to just simply say as a Body we are not going to do this. I think that there is a little precedent on this with the Catholic Bishops in Canada who decided to use the Catholic version of the NRSV translation for their liturgy. It was approved by the Cngregation for worship in the Vatican so they went ahead only to be told later by the CDF that they were not to use it as it had doctrinal flaws! The bishops simply said well they have the books all printed and they are using it already so they weren't going to stop! i think the Bishop's conferences should all take a similar line and just make their own decisions as that is what their ordinations define that they are capable of doing!
I am also finding Cynthia Bourgeault's book "The Wisdom Jesus" quite fascinating. it looks at Jesus in the Scriptures through a contemplative lens which is very powerful It is much like the last couple of books by Fr. Richard Rohr and also fits well with the work of Fr. Bruno Barnhart. The book is summed up well in words by Jim Marion " She invites us to follow Jesus's path of self-emptying love and she describes wisdom (contemplative) practices that we Christians can use every day to transform (Awaken) our own minds so that we too can see with the eyes of Christ" _ that seems to me to be a good description of what we who are Christians do when we practice Zen.
So what we should do now is quit reading this and sit in some form of contemplative silence for 25 minutes - RIGHT NOW!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 17 Stuff
Well the 26th Aniversary of my ordination as a Roman catholic priest on August 14, 1984 has come and gone! What a lot has gone on since that date. A remarkable 21 years in USA where ther was a vast enrichment of my life and ministry largely from the wonderfulk people that I encountered there and worked with. The members of the Monos Community deserve a special mention and its wonderful that after I handed over the leadership to Regina Decker it has gone from strength to strength. Osage Monastery also played a big part in it too by bringing me into contact with Bede Griffiths and through him to the Camalodese Benedictines at Big Sur where I am still an oblate. My 6 week hermitage experience under the guidance of Fr Bruno was really rather special and of course O+M also introduced me to Ruben Habito my first Zen teacher. In fact it was during last week that I went back to Ruben's book "Healing Breath" last week in my search to come to terms with all my feelings concerning the terrible human disasters occuring in our world at this time. It was of great help; so much so that my dharma talk to my Zen Sangha here in Cirencester used some thoughts I found there to enable me to give voice to my struggle as a Zen practitioner. Here are some notes from it:
Zen Master Hakuin's Song of Zazen ends with "This very body, the body of the Buddha" expresses powerfully the massge of Zen that "we need not look outside ourselves, what we seek is right here" "this is my Body" is used as a term in Christianity as well so we reognise that "This very body includes all that is in the entire universe!" The dropping off of Body and Mind called for by Master Dogen callls for a direct awareness that breaks through the Subject?object barrer created by the illusion arising from our ego- centred consciousness that makes a sharp distinction between all that is in this "skin-bag" and that which is outside. This is particlarly reeinforced by our Western culture stemming from Descartes and so many others. In the Christian tradition the whole 19th century suggestion that the natural world was there for humans to dominate also has produced an ego centricism that has clearly been extremely destructive. The findings aod modern science has undermined all of this of course and points us in the same direction of Hakuin's "This very body" A ancient Zen story recounts how we do not see a flower as it really is but only as it appears as an object. As Anais Nin wrote we only see things as WE are not as THEY are . The Zen meaning of compassion is as the word says "to suffer with" To recognise that we are ALL one body and that what happens in the universe is not seperate from us but it happens to us as well. We are to awaken from the unreality fo a dream world of the illusion that we are not all One in this very body of the great wide universe.
Zen Master Hakuin's Song of Zazen ends with "This very body, the body of the Buddha" expresses powerfully the massge of Zen that "we need not look outside ourselves, what we seek is right here" "this is my Body" is used as a term in Christianity as well so we reognise that "This very body includes all that is in the entire universe!" The dropping off of Body and Mind called for by Master Dogen callls for a direct awareness that breaks through the Subject?object barrer created by the illusion arising from our ego- centred consciousness that makes a sharp distinction between all that is in this "skin-bag" and that which is outside. This is particlarly reeinforced by our Western culture stemming from Descartes and so many others. In the Christian tradition the whole 19th century suggestion that the natural world was there for humans to dominate also has produced an ego centricism that has clearly been extremely destructive. The findings aod modern science has undermined all of this of course and points us in the same direction of Hakuin's "This very body" A ancient Zen story recounts how we do not see a flower as it really is but only as it appears as an object. As Anais Nin wrote we only see things as WE are not as THEY are . The Zen meaning of compassion is as the word says "to suffer with" To recognise that we are ALL one body and that what happens in the universe is not seperate from us but it happens to us as well. We are to awaken from the unreality fo a dream world of the illusion that we are not all One in this very body of the great wide universe.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sundry items of updating
I am sorry that I haven't been terribly reliable in writing up this blog on a regular basis. There are 2 main reasons really, one is that my life has been quite full with demand sboth from the parish that I am in charge of and also the fulfilment of my role as a Zen teacher. Aotner reason has been my doubt about whether anyone actually reads the blog. I have recently recived a couple of positive comments which have encouraged me to make the time to send a little more frequently.
A couple of months ago I wrote a simple introduction to Zen practice and a couple in the Wild Goose sangha set it up as a little booklet with the Title Let the Dragon Roar. In it I set our some very simple requirements for those who wished to be as admiited as a serious Zen student of the Wild Goose sangha. It was great that there were 9 who responded to this so we had a very moving admission ceremony to admit them on July 8th. These were all members who meet regularly at the Ashcroft Centre in Cirencester every Thursday evening. Hopefully there will be others who wish to make that more formal comittment but evrybody is welcome to join with us in our oractice and there is no need necessarily to take on the formal role of a student. However this does give some form and definition to those who wish to engage very seriously as a student.
the Catholic church in the UK is now energetically preparing for the Pope's visit. It seems to be a very costly affair with massive security as it is a State visit rather than purely a pastioral one. I must say that I ask to myself the question; "What would Jesus the Carpenter - the one who istructed Peter to put away his sword - say about all that?"
Three books ahve been brought to my attention recently and I think that you may be interested in checking them out especially f you are interested in Contemplative prayer /Zen practice.
The Essence of Zen - the teachings of Harada This is an excellant overview of Zen practice given by a great Japanese Zen Maser from the talks he gave to Western students on his trips to Europe & the USA.
The Flowing Bridge - Guidance on beginning Zen Koans This collection from Sister Elaine MacInnes is a most valuable help for those engaged in Zen practice. Studying Zeb koans of course needs to be done in conjunction with an authentic Zen teacher of course but this is helpful from an experienced Zen Master who is also a Christian Religious Sirts now in her 80's who was one of the first Christain to receive transmission. She is part of the SanboKyodan lineage.
The Wisdom Jesus Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest who darws on th Wisdom tradition of a few different religions to look once again at the teachings of Jesus in Scripture to see it in the light of the great wisdom tradition.
I have a Zazenkai (A day of Zen practice) coming up on september 4 at the Ammerdown Centre
and then we have our big weekend Michaelfest at the Parish in Tetbury on September 24 - 26 with a music recital, an art exhibition and our usual masses with Fr. Paul Lyons from St. John's seminary Wonersh as our special homilist. We end with an Ecumenical Vesper service on the Sunday evening led by the choir of St. Mary's Anglican church.
I have a Zen Taster Day in Canterbury on October 9 organised by one of my students Marcus Averback.
From October 25 - 29 I shall be away on my annual retreat with The Stonewater Zen Sangha in Liverpool.
On November 5 7 I have a short Zen Sesshin also at the Ammerdown centre.
Well that's enough of my doings etc. but PLEASE will you send me a note by email to tell me if you've read this so I know if its worth doing it patrick@northwall.plus.com
A couple of months ago I wrote a simple introduction to Zen practice and a couple in the Wild Goose sangha set it up as a little booklet with the Title Let the Dragon Roar. In it I set our some very simple requirements for those who wished to be as admiited as a serious Zen student of the Wild Goose sangha. It was great that there were 9 who responded to this so we had a very moving admission ceremony to admit them on July 8th. These were all members who meet regularly at the Ashcroft Centre in Cirencester every Thursday evening. Hopefully there will be others who wish to make that more formal comittment but evrybody is welcome to join with us in our oractice and there is no need necessarily to take on the formal role of a student. However this does give some form and definition to those who wish to engage very seriously as a student.
the Catholic church in the UK is now energetically preparing for the Pope's visit. It seems to be a very costly affair with massive security as it is a State visit rather than purely a pastioral one. I must say that I ask to myself the question; "What would Jesus the Carpenter - the one who istructed Peter to put away his sword - say about all that?"
Three books ahve been brought to my attention recently and I think that you may be interested in checking them out especially f you are interested in Contemplative prayer /Zen practice.
The Essence of Zen - the teachings of Harada This is an excellant overview of Zen practice given by a great Japanese Zen Maser from the talks he gave to Western students on his trips to Europe & the USA.
The Flowing Bridge - Guidance on beginning Zen Koans This collection from Sister Elaine MacInnes is a most valuable help for those engaged in Zen practice. Studying Zeb koans of course needs to be done in conjunction with an authentic Zen teacher of course but this is helpful from an experienced Zen Master who is also a Christian Religious Sirts now in her 80's who was one of the first Christain to receive transmission. She is part of the SanboKyodan lineage.
The Wisdom Jesus Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest who darws on th Wisdom tradition of a few different religions to look once again at the teachings of Jesus in Scripture to see it in the light of the great wisdom tradition.
I have a Zazenkai (A day of Zen practice) coming up on september 4 at the Ammerdown Centre
and then we have our big weekend Michaelfest at the Parish in Tetbury on September 24 - 26 with a music recital, an art exhibition and our usual masses with Fr. Paul Lyons from St. John's seminary Wonersh as our special homilist. We end with an Ecumenical Vesper service on the Sunday evening led by the choir of St. Mary's Anglican church.
I have a Zen Taster Day in Canterbury on October 9 organised by one of my students Marcus Averback.
From October 25 - 29 I shall be away on my annual retreat with The Stonewater Zen Sangha in Liverpool.
On November 5 7 I have a short Zen Sesshin also at the Ammerdown centre.
Well that's enough of my doings etc. but PLEASE will you send me a note by email to tell me if you've read this so I know if its worth doing it patrick@northwall.plus.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
ZEN GIIFTS TO CHRISTIANS SESSHIN 2010
It was a remarkable joy to have our first week-long sesshin at the Ammerdown Centre from May 21-27. Father Robert Kennedy Roshi came form the United States to help lead the sesshin with Fr. Patrick Sensei. We were doubly blessed though to have another Sensei from the USA in Ellen Birx. There were 40 people who came for the start but 10 were only able to stay for the weekend. They were all very committed to the practice which was quite obvious right from the beginning on the Friday evening. Jeremy Woodcock quickly established himself as a most competent head monk and throughout the week ran the zendo with a gentle firmness that encouraged everyone participating. Indeed Wild Goose Sangha members from the Ashcroft Centre in Cirencester fulfilled all the service roles for the sesshin. They were all exemplary and they all contributed to the whole success of the sesshin. We owe a debt of gratitude to Edmund and Helen, Jane, Paul, and Marcus for serving in this way. It was certainly good to also have the assistance of Elia who came with Roshi from New Jersey to help lead us in our chanting.
Because we had three teachers with us it was decided that instead of just one long and quite formal Teisho each day that we would have a shorter encouraging talk from each of the teachers present. Roshi Kennedy began each day at 6.45 am. Using one of the beautiful drawings by Amy Yee coupled with his own calligraphy he stated us off with a theme for the day’s practice. Among the most memorable themes were the nature of the searching, what is pure gift? And not knowing.
After the breakfast Ellen Sensei gave her talks which were all of the highest calibre well representing her many years of practice and teaching. Each talk was powerfully illustrated with real life experiences from her many years in the nursing profession. She encouraged participants further in the themes set by Roshi and they were all particularly memorable because of the powerful presentation of some amazing stories.
It was interesting to have another voice and slightly different slant on those same themes from Patrick who spoke when we restarted after lunch and rest at 3pm each day. Each teacher used poetry as something like the “capping verse” at the end of Koans which gave a memorable few words to take into the practice of sitting in Zazen.
On Monday afternoon there was lovely recital of Japanese flute music given by Stephanie Hiller who lives near Ammerdown at Wells. It was the most beautiful and haunting music as traditionally used by a group of Zen monks in Japan. Stephanie had studied this for many years having discovered the practice when a young classical flautist studying at Dartington Hall. She joined with us for an hours sitting Zazen after her recital and talk on the nature of what is termed “Blowing Zen.” It was a powerful experience of a book by the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan on the Mysticism of Music.
Having three teachers present meant that everyone who wished had a chance to go at one of the four periods of Daisan each day to one or other of the teachers. This is a very important part of Zen practice as it enables the practitioner to address the particular issues that arise in their own sitting. The teacher will then be able to provide the necessary particular help that they require to deepen their experience. This proved to be a real blessing.
After the day’s Zen practice which very powerfully fulfilled the title of the sesshin bringing us many of the gifts that Zen brings to those of the Christian faith who have a particular attraction to the most ancient but often forgotten Apophatic Contemplative we ended the day with a celebration of a Eucharist in the Zendo for all those who wished to attend. It was a lovely way to end the day and it really affirmed the whole time together as an authentic experience of interfaith dialogue.
One cannot have such an intense immersion into Zen practice without some reasonable physical conditions for the body. The Ammerdown Centre more that adequately provided all that we needed in that area. The beds and rooms were comfortable, the food was of the most excellent quality and every need was well catered for by the warm and friendly staff. In the absolutely beautiful weather we had for the whole week the grounds and gardens were simply splendid and a feast for the eyes.
As the participants left there was a deep rooted sense of well-being and a real sense of value. These few days of quite intense Zen practice had given us all quite different approach to life. We stepped out with hope and courage ready to accept and engage in whatever we experienced in our day to day living. We were awakened to a real sense of awareness of each moment.
We left then having written May 27 to June 2 2011 in our diaries to reserve it for next year’s seshin.
Because we had three teachers with us it was decided that instead of just one long and quite formal Teisho each day that we would have a shorter encouraging talk from each of the teachers present. Roshi Kennedy began each day at 6.45 am. Using one of the beautiful drawings by Amy Yee coupled with his own calligraphy he stated us off with a theme for the day’s practice. Among the most memorable themes were the nature of the searching, what is pure gift? And not knowing.
After the breakfast Ellen Sensei gave her talks which were all of the highest calibre well representing her many years of practice and teaching. Each talk was powerfully illustrated with real life experiences from her many years in the nursing profession. She encouraged participants further in the themes set by Roshi and they were all particularly memorable because of the powerful presentation of some amazing stories.
It was interesting to have another voice and slightly different slant on those same themes from Patrick who spoke when we restarted after lunch and rest at 3pm each day. Each teacher used poetry as something like the “capping verse” at the end of Koans which gave a memorable few words to take into the practice of sitting in Zazen.
On Monday afternoon there was lovely recital of Japanese flute music given by Stephanie Hiller who lives near Ammerdown at Wells. It was the most beautiful and haunting music as traditionally used by a group of Zen monks in Japan. Stephanie had studied this for many years having discovered the practice when a young classical flautist studying at Dartington Hall. She joined with us for an hours sitting Zazen after her recital and talk on the nature of what is termed “Blowing Zen.” It was a powerful experience of a book by the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan on the Mysticism of Music.
Having three teachers present meant that everyone who wished had a chance to go at one of the four periods of Daisan each day to one or other of the teachers. This is a very important part of Zen practice as it enables the practitioner to address the particular issues that arise in their own sitting. The teacher will then be able to provide the necessary particular help that they require to deepen their experience. This proved to be a real blessing.
After the day’s Zen practice which very powerfully fulfilled the title of the sesshin bringing us many of the gifts that Zen brings to those of the Christian faith who have a particular attraction to the most ancient but often forgotten Apophatic Contemplative we ended the day with a celebration of a Eucharist in the Zendo for all those who wished to attend. It was a lovely way to end the day and it really affirmed the whole time together as an authentic experience of interfaith dialogue.
One cannot have such an intense immersion into Zen practice without some reasonable physical conditions for the body. The Ammerdown Centre more that adequately provided all that we needed in that area. The beds and rooms were comfortable, the food was of the most excellent quality and every need was well catered for by the warm and friendly staff. In the absolutely beautiful weather we had for the whole week the grounds and gardens were simply splendid and a feast for the eyes.
As the participants left there was a deep rooted sense of well-being and a real sense of value. These few days of quite intense Zen practice had given us all quite different approach to life. We stepped out with hope and courage ready to accept and engage in whatever we experienced in our day to day living. We were awakened to a real sense of awareness of each moment.
We left then having written May 27 to June 2 2011 in our diaries to reserve it for next year’s seshin.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
NEXT
Having had the little break I am now looking forward to the Zen Seshin with Robert Kennedy at Ammerdon towards the end of May. My studies are taking me to the teaching document of the English Catholic bishops on interreligious dialogue which on the whole is quite positive, the writings the the theological giant of the 6th Century Maximus the Confessor and the writings of samual Beckett especially his monologue "The unnameable" These last 2 items have some deep significance for a Zen practitioner. Maximus is a profound and exhaustive teacher on the early church's theology of apophatic prayer and in a similar fashion the beckett material also shows the limitations of language to express the deepest down things of life.
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