“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few. …The true purpose is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.“ Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki
In Buddhism, the word “Dharma” has many meanings, the most important of which is “the living teachings” that are passed down from generation to generation, from person to person. There are certainly written teachings, Sutras, Koans, and texts that we study, but they must come alive in our hearts, supported by our meditation, study, and engagement with the sangha and teachers. This is not the teaching and study of the classroom in which information is packaged and delivered from one person to another. What is handed down is an experience of the Living Dharma, a direct experience of the same awakened life that the Buddha had. It comes alive, is made real, and active as Sangha, students, and teachers experience it together.
A student of the Dharma cultivates “beginner’s mind” (Zen Master Sunryu Suzuki 1904-1971) so that every corner of their life is encountered with an absolute freshness that is free of bias, preconceived notions, or just plain old habitual ways of thinking.
But this is not enough. We also must engage our ‘inner teacher,’ the Wisdom of the awakened life that has been and is always present within us. At Infinite Circle Zen, we take this very seriously. We often hear our teacher say his role is to help activate the ‘inner teacher’ of our awakened self, and our role is to help activate the ‘inner student’ of his awakened self. This is Living Dharma!
The primary ways we cultivate this are:
- Study: Every week we gather for an online Zen Study Group, where we study the works of Zen Master Eihei Dogen (founder of Japanese Soto Zen) and other historical and contemporary Zen Masters. The meetings have a combination of input from our teacher and discussion among members. Recordings are made available for those whose schedule prevents them from attending.
- Individual Meetings With a Teacher: (As noted above)
- Dharma Talks: When we meet for Chanting Service, on retreat days (Zazenkai) and longer 3 to 5 day silent retreats (Sesshin), Sensei Mitsudo and Senior Students, Novice Priest Daisho, Dharma Holder Sansui give Dharma Talks.
- Finding Your Way Workshops – Spirituality and Emotional Wholeness: In the Spring and Fall of each year, Infinite Circle hosts workshops that provide information and skills for navigating and integrating elements of spirituality and our psychological life. This offering is for the wider public and community members. Past workshop offerings, mostly from a Jungian perspective, included: dream work and dream embodiment, mid-life transition, working with internal parts (Internal Family Systems), and Active Imagination. If you are interested in receiving notices about these workshops, be sure to contact us .
