To: trasgu@...
From: bigmindoffice@...
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:59:49 -0500
Subject: Big Big Mind News for November!
Dear Everyone,
For this issue of the Big Mind Big Heart news, I thought I would talk a little bit about another quote I got in the mail from one of our members, who was curious as to what it meant to our spiritual practice.
Here's the quote...
"When one first seeks the truth,
one separates oneself from it."
This phrase is pointing to the fact that true reality is just me in the world, and the world as it is. I need to look no further than that. Once I begin to "seek" for truth, I inherently separate from it, because I am seeking "out there" for it. Even if I seek inside myself, I separate from it, because there is one who is seeking, and the thing that is "being looked for", which is somehow "other" than me. This is a dualistic view.
When I give up looking or seeking in this way and just take in the world as it is, that's truth. This is the absolute view.
Of course, real truth is ungraspable, unknowable, but it can be experienced directly. This direct experience is truth. Trying to "grasp" truth also separates us from it. That's why when we meditate, we drop our seeking and grasping mind, and just experience the moment as it is with no efforting, analyzing or cataloguing, we just sit. This is known as Shikantaza, just sitting.
When I just sit, I am a buddha sitting, and there is no need for anything else. I am one with the vast unborn and undying universe.
The same is true while doing Big Mind. The essential ingredient in the Big Mind process is being one with the voice. I don't try to look for the truth in the voice, I speak AS the voice and the truth reveals itself naturally though me. This is why Big Mind is such a beautiful way to learn about the self. Because I'm not analyzing the self, or the voices of the self, I am one with each voice and not taking a dualistic view.
So, when Genpo Roshi asks to speak to a voice, let's say it's "Big Heart", I speak as Big Heart and not about it. This way I have the direct experience of Big Heart and the truth of Big Heart as me. I don't have to seek Big Heart because I am Big Heart.
News
President Elect Obama and Genpo Roshi!
Congratulations to our new United States President Elect Barack Obama. Genpo Roshi got to meet with Mr. Obama and talk with him last summer. Mr. Obama was happy to receive a copy of Roshi's latest book. For a special treat follow this link to see pictures! www.genpo.org/Obama
Robert Williams
Longtime member Robert Williams passed away on October 19th. A resident of San Francisco, Robert was the father of two daughters and a great jazz trumpet player. He received Jukai from Genpo Roshi's teacher Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and was an outstanding member of the White Plum and Kanzeon Sangha.
Interestingly, about 2 days after his death, a magpie showed up at our center in Salt Lake and has been here ever since. We've never seen a magpie here before. He's a very friendly bird and even hops around with us when we're outside and will come and stand on your foot. We've named him Robert in honor of our friend.
Looking for Big Mind Big Heart Friends?
We have a Big Mind Network on Facebook where you can connect with people all over the world who are interested in Genpo Roshi and Big Mind.
Here's the link...if you don't already have a Facebook profile, it's easy and free and we have already almost 500 friends there.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18161635664
Big Mind Monthlong Retreat
We've got a very nice group of about 75 here for our annual Big Mind Monthlong Retreat. The following countries are represented. England, Holland, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, Spain, Malta, Canada, Taiwan, India, South Africa, Poland, and, of course, the US.
We're so grateful to have people come from so many countries and it gives us great hope that our bonds can grow ever stronger and that our world can grow closer through our shared experience in the Big Mind work.
Upcoming Events
We're very happy to announce that we'll be coming back to London again after two years away.
Big Mind Big Heart
Weekend Workshop London England
Special guest appearance Sunday morning by Paul McKenna
Date: January 24-25 2009
Location: Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington, Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London W8 5S
Times: Schedule for both Saturday and Sunday shown below
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon Big Mind Session with Genpo Roshi
12:00 Noon to 2:30 p.m. Lunch Break
2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Big Mind Session with Genpo Roshi
Big Mind Big Heart Returns to London!
Join us in England for this enlightening two day Weekend Workshop featuring over 6 hours each day of Genpo Roshi and his Big Mind Big Heart approach to life and consciousness.
Special Guest Appearance
Genpo Roshi will be joined on Sunday morning by award winning author and TV personality Paul McKenna for a discussion of the state of spirituality and personal growth in the Western world.
Free Book: Attendees will receive a free copy of Genpo Roshi's latest book Big Mind Big Heart Finding Your Way as they arrive at the event.
Early Bird Registration: Save $200 by registering before November 30 at the discounted price of $797. On December 1 the price goes to our regular amount of $997.
To register online: Click here www.genpo.org/Events Look for the London Workshop and click on Register Now to fill out the registration form. You will receive a confirmation email upon completion and will receive email updates about the event.
Questions? Please email to Henrike Jishin Reef at Europemanager@.... She will be happy to help you.
Great Sangha Gathering and Big Mind Retreat
Ameland, The Netherlands
This exciting annual event presents the Big Mind process within the context of Zen practice and serves as a gathering for practitioners from around the world. It has already been held for many years on Ameland, a beautiful island off the northern coast of the Netherlands. The daily schedule includes Zen meditation in the morning, Big Mind sessions with Genpo Merzel Roshi in the afternoon, Zen meditation and group events in the evening. Genpo Roshi will be assisted by his successors
Genno Roshi (France)
Tenkei Roshi & Nico Sensei (Netherlands)
Doen Sensei (USA)
Jiho Sensei (Poland)
Genshin Sensei (UK)
Musho Sensei, Mugaku Sensei, Taido Sensei (USA)
Genko Sensei (France)
Myoho Sensei (UK).
Newcomers are very welcome to join and will receive special attention. In order to accommodate the growing number of participants the Great Sangha Gathering will be held at "Klein Vaarwater". This big resort center is situated on the outskirts of the quaint, picturesque village of Buren. Nestled alongside a protected nature reserve it is just minutes from the sea.
The facilities include a huge Zendo for meditation and Big Mind training, spacious housing in bungalows for six or four in double rooms and recreational facilities including a, indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center, small supermarket and pub. There is plenty of room for everyone!
Price per person, including meals, housing and tuition.
STANDARD BED FOR ONE IN SHARED ROOM
booked before December 1 $675
PRIVATE ROOM FOR TWO
booked before December 1 $1350
PRIVATE BEDROOM
booked before December 1 $875
PRIVATE BUNGALOW
booked before December 1 $1275
Please join us for this wonderful gathering of friends from the US and Europe.
Save the Dates!
Spring Big Mind Retreat
Due to the enormous success of our Big Mind Retreats, we've scheduled another two week session in Salt Lake for April 19th through May 2, 2009. Mark your calendar and keep and eye on our website for details and registration information that we'll post there soon.
Los Angeles Weekend Workshop with Bill Harris
We love LA! Join us for this Big Mind weekend event on March 7-8,2009. Stay tuned to our website for further details and registration information at www.genpo.org/Events
Ask Roshi!
We will be posting a number of new videos on our Ask Roshi! page of our website in the next week. You can see these at this link www.genpo.org/Ask_Roshi.html.
We love to have your questions so please send them to us at: bigmindoffice@...
See you all soon!
Peace,
Bruce
Big Mind
1268 E. South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
84102
US
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