It’s time for an audio file! Yes, a real MP3! Well, not exactly a very good audio file. It’s a recording of me talking at a “practice circle” discussion at my local zendo recently. The quality isn’t all that good, given that the mini-recorder was buried in my front pocket and I wasn’t speaking into the mike. But with some clues herein provided, you might be able to make out most of what I said.

The topic of the discussion was a chapter from one of those typical “How to be a Zen Buddhist 101” books (i.e., “Buddhism, Is Not What You Think” by Steve Hagen; I would give this book 2 and 1/2 stars out of 5, basically “meh”, a bit condescending). The “sangha” was discussing one of the better chapters, regarding the idea that “serenity” is not simply going to a peaceful and beautiful place all by yourself and staring at your navel for hours on end, awaiting a great transcendent insight. Hagen, to his credit, makes the point that the serenity that Zen seeks is something much deeper, something that doesn’t evaporate when the lady at the checkout counter shorts you $5 in change, or someone runs a stop sign not far ahead of you while chatting away on their smart phone. True serenity is . . . well, darn if I know or could put it into words even if I did. If I ever do find out, I’ll get back to you.

The sangha was also pondering an old story previously discussed by our own “monk in charge”, Jeff, which was about an ancient Zen master who got framed unfairly for getting a girl pregnant. This old master obviously lost all his credentials as a monk and teacher. Instead of using that classic line from Martin Briley’s 1983 hit “Salt In My Tears”, i.e. “I never did it, no I won’t admit it”, the old monk just said “is that so?”. The girl’s parents gave the baby to the monk and said “you’re the daddy, so take good care of junior”. Again, all he said was “is that so?” The now-former monk and former-teacher was a stand-up guy, so he got a real job, got a crib, and raised the child. But then comes the twist to the story — about a year later, the girl ‘fessed up and pointed her finger at the real daddy. Her parents then charged over to the old master’s hut and said “give that child back, he’s not yours!!” The soon-to-be-restored monk and teacher handed over the child and said . . . wait for it . . . “IS THAT SO?”

We were also discussing the invocation we often use at the end of our zazen, i.e. “may we realize the Buddha Way together”. In my MP3 below, I share my own thoughts on all this, along with the question of “just what are we supposed to be doing or attaining with our minds when we sit in meditation for long periods?” The Zen teachers are mostly quiet on that point. But obviously, it has something to do with seeking out serenity in your life. So I briefly discuss the “big mind” idea and how modern neuroscience seems to affirm that meditation can create a well-integrated brain state, a form of consciousness that captures and includes everything that is going on in your head, and not just a particular area of current attention or worry. In theory, if you could take your “big mind” to the street, bring it “back to the city”, you would be a person who has it all together, who doesn’t argue with her or himself, and thus is less likely to argue and bicker with others. You would work to find common ground and understanding, even when the going gets tough.

So that’s what I’m blabbing on about for 5 minutes or so. PS, I get confused towards the end of my talk about the song “It’s Hard to Be a Saint in the City”. I forgot that it was written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen; I was thinking of the later cover version by David Bowie. One of the many ‘music mavens’ at the zendo helpfully corrects me, though! Enjoy.

Some Semi-Coherent Ramblings from an Eternal Student of Life

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