Living Zen is a project of Tenryu Jokai Blackwell offering regular dharma talks via podcast, writings and news of upcoming events.
Dharma Talk Podcasts
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A Thousand Buddhas Don’t Know
From the October 2022 Long Beach Meditation “Mountain Refuge Retreat”
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Awareness is the Root Experience of All
The Blue Cliff Record, Case 40, from Insight Community of the Desert’s Tuesday Meditation As Refuge class.
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As You Are. Here. Now.
Case 1 of the Gateless Gate: “Ordinary Mind is the Way” from Insight Community of the Desert’s Tuesday Meditation As Refuge class.
Upcoming Events
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ICD Tuesday Night – Meditation as Refuge
Meditation as Refuge extends a weekly invitation to everyone who would like to explore meditation as a support for their spiritual development. The intention is to focus on realizing our innate capacity for care, compassion and mutual respect. This event welcomes everyone, beginning meditators and experienced practitioners alike.
Cost: Donation basis, there is no charge to participate. ICD center and teachers are supported by your generosity. Please give from your ability and heart.
To join via Zoom click here.
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A Way of Living: A Day with the Zen Precepts
“Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous” – Zen Founder Bodhidharma
The precepts are a description of how an awakened life actually moves in the world. What can at first appear as prohibitions subtly transform into their positive counterparts. In this daylong we will focus on the backbone of the enlightened way, the Ten Bodhisattva Precepts. The day concludes with a Jukai ceremony (receiving the precepts), in which LBM member Patrick Murphy will formalize his commitment to upholding and practicing the Dharma. Everyone is warmly invited to spend the day in practice and to witness and support each other in the study and embodiment of the awakened way. Newcomers and longtime practitioners are equally welcome.
The Ten Grave Precepts and their Positive Counterparts
- Refrain from killing – Nurture and protect life.
- Refrain from stealing – Take only what is freely given.
- Refrain from engaging in sexual misconduct – Meet intimacy with respect.
- Refrain from telling a lie – Speak the truth.
- Refrain from being ignorant or intoxicated – Foster a mind that is clear and awake.
- Refrain from talking about others’ errors and faults – Acknowledge your own faults; speak well of others.
- Refrain from elevating yourself and putting down others – Honor others as yourself, see the truth of non-separation.
- Refrain from being stingy – Give freely, according to the need.
- Refrain from being angry – Meet difficulty with patience.
- Refrain from speaking ill of the Three Treasures – Honor and uphold the Three Treasures.
Schedule
9:00am – Welcome and Introductions
9:20am – Meditation
9:50am – Walking Meditation
9:55am – Meditation
10:25am – Dharma talk: the precepts as the Bodhisattva’s life
11:00am – Tea Break
11:15am – Meditation
11:30am – Exploring the precepts together, first half (group dialogue)
12:15pm – Lunch
1:00pm – Meditation
1:25pm – Exploring the precepts together, second half
2:05pm – Pause; prepare the room for ceremony
2:15pm – Jukai ceremony for Patrick Murphy
2:55pm – Metta Chant
3:00pm – EndCost
The retreat is being offered for $55. For LBM Sustaining Members, we are offering the retreat at a discounted rate of $45. Scholarships are available. Volunteers at events are always appreciated.
How to Join the Retreat
Please see Long Beach Meditation’s event page to register.
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LBM Sunday Dharma
On Sunday afternoons Long Beach Meditation offers meditation practice and a Dharma Talk. This class invites participants to find support, guidance, and the energy to do the challenging work of awakening. After a welcoming introduction, the bell is rung to begin our 30-minute meditation. There is a short break to stretch our legs, use the restroom, have a cup of tea, and chat with others. Returning to our seats, the remaining time allows for a Dharma Talk followed by discussion and questions and answers.
We conclude with a Dedication of Merit and Metta Chant for those who wish to join:
We dedicate the merits of our practice to everyone gathered here,
to our families, our community, and to all beings throughout the Dharma worlds.
May the light of wisdom dispel darkness and awaken compassion.
Let all karma be released, and the natural mind bloom in eternal spring.
May we see clearly into the nature of reality and live each moment with awareness.
Let us awaken together and walk the Way with love and humility.May all beings be happy and safe from harm.
May all beings be healthy in body and in mind.
May all beings be peaceful and free from suffering.This class is suitable for all levels of experience and is held both in person and online. All are welcome and no one is turned away for lack of funds.
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9014566014
- Password: 042020
- Meeting ID: 901 456 6014
- Dial in on your phone (Voice only) +1 669 900 9128
- One tap mobile +16699009128,,9014566014#
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LBM PROGRAMS, CLICK HERE.