About this blog

In the Fall of 2007, Roshi Bernie Glassman taught a class in the Harvard Divinity School entitled: Buddhist Arts of Ministry in the Zen Peacemakers Order. This blog posts questions from the Harvard students and comments by seniors of the Zen Peacemakers.

Continue reading "About this blog" »

May 13, 2008

Is letting go of discrimination a luxury?

new comments
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/02/is-letting-go-o.html

Comments (0) on "Is letting go of discrimination a luxury?" »

May 08, 2008

Life radically affirmed

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/01/life-radically.html

Comments (0) on "Life radically affirmed" »

May 04, 2008

Being one and seeing differences

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/02/being-one-and-s.html

Comments (0) on "Being one and seeing differences" »

April 29, 2008

Fear of failing to make sense of my path

Hello, sending my question; though it takes the form of a witness/questioning of myself this week. The book "Bearing Witness" moved me deeply, and I felt I couldn't ask a question without observing what it did in me, on some levels that are a little personal.

The story of Auschwitz sent chills down my spine... its concept of healing in the most horrific tragedy, and the power of reading those names/welcoming/loving the dead. I read them softly myself as I walked home, and felt something sacred in the glimpse it gave me of what happened there, and what it means for the world.

I then read of the Order's work, especially on the streets, and was both moved but haunted. In part because I know many of the places in New York you wrote of (including the Sufi Mosque) and my own work with the homeless... but work I admit to feeling torn about. It was hard, and I felt ill-equipped and ill-supported in both of my positions to really know how to deal with so much of it.

Continue reading "Fear of failing to make sense of my path" »

Comments (1) on "Fear of failing to make sense of my path" »

April 24, 2008

Is compassion our natural response to ourselves?

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/01/is-compassion-o.html

Comments (0) on "Is compassion our natural response to ourselves?" »

April 21, 2008

Karma leading to practice?

I'm curious about the relationship between what leads one to practice and karma (although it probably doesn't matter!)

Comments (1) on "Karma leading to practice?" »

April 19, 2008

What is the impediment?

What the three reading texts for this week make me think is "duh!" That our communication style directly leads to or leads away from social harmony; that majority rule type thinking necessarily leaves out a minority; that innovation will arise through listening...all these things seem absolutely correct. What do you think is the greatest challenge to bringing these methods/realizations to American culture/business practice/relationships? If such practices have been successfully implemented and work within the market system, why are institutions/businesses so slow to change?

Comments (1) on "What is the impediment?" »

April 16, 2008

Intellect and heart, and their roles in non-duality

What is the correct relationship between the head & the heart? And, how is the intellect engaged in understanding non-duality?

Comments (1) on "Intellect and heart, and their roles in non-duality" »

April 13, 2008

Physiology of listening and meditating

The book on council and the Non Violent Communication book by Marshall Rosenberg both emphasize "listening from the heart." One of the authors even advocates, when you find yourself bored with someone else's speech, imagining that their words are directed at your chest, not your ears, and that this imagining helps one to appreciate their unspoken emotions. Is there a connection between Zen meditation and one's ability to listen "from the heart"? I have heard Zen teachers talk about the head, the heart, and the "gut" or center. I have heard them talk associate the heart with emotions/singing and the center as chanting/breathing. They talk about meditation as a practice which strengthens one's center (rather than one's heart). Can you share with us your Zen physiology and how that relates to council and meditation. —Duncan

Comments (1) on "Physiology of listening and meditating" »

April 11, 2008

Effort in bearing witness

Should it take effort to bear witness?

Comments (1) on "Effort in bearing witness" »

April 08, 2008

City Buddha wisdom energies

As I was reading Rockwell's book on the five wisdom energies, I noticed that it seemed as though the energies were being explained as less present in geometrical, logical, scientific, and urban settings. I personally find a great deal of comfort in logical and geometric things (Mondrian and Klee, whose works Rockwell discounted) and expect to continue living in the city for at least the next few years.

1. If all of these things appeal to me, how can I keep in touch with the energies?

2. How can logic and feeling coexist in these energies?

Comments (1) on "City Buddha wisdom energies" »

April 05, 2008

Empathizing

It is sometimes hard for me to look past my own self and to empathize with someone that I hardly know or even like. How can I overcome these superficial, insubstantial, yet obstructive, external factors in order to empathize with people more genuinely and deeply?

Comments (1) on "Empathizing" »

April 02, 2008

Is traditional Zen helpful for peacemakers?

I was struck in the film by your wife talking about the contrast between Bernie and Tetsugen. She gave the impression that you were very committed to studying and practicing the forms of Zen as you were taught them by your Japanese teacher. Now you are dancing with Sufis in New York and praying and singing with Jews and Christians in Auschwitz. How did your traditional Zen training prepare you for your present ministry? Do you still see the traditional Zen forms -- koan study, temple retreats, the guy walking around with the stick, chanting, sutra study -- as important or helpful practices for Zen peacemakers.

Comments (1) on "Is traditional Zen helpful for peacemakers?" »

March 29, 2008

Paths to not-knowing

A question about paths to not-knowing: Is there a place for concepts/belief systems (i.e. religion) as a path to not knowing?  Swami Satchidananda said that religions are like ladders - once you get to the window, you can drop it.; once you experience the Truth, the method falls away.  But the question remains, how to get there?  What does Zen have to say about the place for a method, a belief that frames ('knows') experience in such a way that it offers comfort and encouragement on the path toward not-knowing? 

I vacillate - for example, I had a powerful experience last week at kirtan involving a portrait of a saint.

Continue reading "Paths to not-knowing" »

Comments (1) on "Paths to not-knowing" »

March 28, 2008

Distinction between not-knowing and bearing witness

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/03/distinction-bet.html

Comments (0) on "Distinction between not-knowing and bearing witness" »

March 26, 2008

How can no self be energetic? Soto Zen and mandalas

Do you feel like practice around wisdom energies is compatible with Soto Zen Buddhism? Does it rub against a sense of Original Enlightenment? Can you help elaborate how we have no self, yet an energetic self?

Comments (1) on "How can no self be energetic? Soto Zen and mandalas" »

March 25, 2008

When I am enlightened and others are not

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/02/when-i-am-enlig.html

Comments (0) on "When I am enlightened and others are not" »

March 24, 2008

Distinction between not-knowing and bearing witness

What is the real difference between not-knowing and bearing witness?

Comments (4) on "Distinction between not-knowing and bearing witness" »

March 21, 2008

Faith and beginner's mind

I would be curious to hear where you think faith fits into cultivating "Beginner's Mind." How can one 'let go' without some sense of security/safety – the fear is too great otherwise. What is the place of faith?

Comments (1) on "Faith and beginner's mind" »

March 20, 2008

Vulnerability

new comment
http://berniezen.zenpeacemakers.org/2008/03/vulnerability.html

Comments (0) on "Vulnerability" »