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With palms together,
Good Morning All,
Yesterday I had the distinct honor to be invited to lead the services at our new El Paso sitting group. The facility is marvelous. The people were warm and inviting. And to practice together was a wonderful opportunity to know that the Dharma is alive and well in west Texas.
Following this, we were invited to attend a talk offered by Rev. Claude Anshin Thomas, a mendicant Soto monk who walks the world in peace and deep compassion. We had an opportunity to meet before hand, bow to each other, talk, and share something of our individual lives as Vietnam veterans turned Zen Buddhist priests.
Anshin is doing a pilgrimage across the borderlands to learn about border and immigration issues. While he may not say this directly, he is also teaching us through his example that a live of deep love and fearlessness is not only possible, but desirable.
He made a point last night that I would like to share. He said he has learned on his pilgrimage that those with the least share the most and the most ea silly. Those with the most share less willingly and with a much higher degree of greedy self-interest. Clearly, there is a very deep teaching in this experience.
For those who don't know, Anshin wrote a most powerful book about his experience:
At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey From War to Peace.
A link to a story about this pilgrimage can be found at:
http://www.elpasotimes.com/search/ci_5544062
Be well.
Good Morning All,
Yesterday I had the distinct honor to be invited to lead the services at our new El Paso sitting group. The facility is marvelous. The people were warm and inviting. And to practice together was a wonderful opportunity to know that the Dharma is alive and well in west Texas.
Following this, we were invited to attend a talk offered by Rev. Claude Anshin Thomas, a mendicant Soto monk who walks the world in peace and deep compassion. We had an opportunity to meet before hand, bow to each other, talk, and share something of our individual lives as Vietnam veterans turned Zen Buddhist priests.
Anshin is doing a pilgrimage across the borderlands to learn about border and immigration issues. While he may not say this directly, he is also teaching us through his example that a live of deep love and fearlessness is not only possible, but desirable.
He made a point last night that I would like to share. He said he has learned on his pilgrimage that those with the least share the most and the most ea silly. Those with the most share less willingly and with a much higher degree of greedy self-interest. Clearly, there is a very deep teaching in this experience.
For those who don't know, Anshin wrote a most powerful book about his experience:
At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey From War to Peace.
A link to a story about this pilgrimage can be found at:
http://www.elpasotimes.com/search/ci_5544062
Be well.