Author Archives: JRL

The Heart Sutra

Posted on August 24, 2024 by JRL

There is no practice, way, or path,No future place, no lingering past,Nothing is real, and nothing dream;Everything that is, just seems,and is connected but still freeto think with selfish vanityThat by itself it came to be. What folly, to imagine … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bodhisattva

Posted on August 22, 2024 by JRL

There is no trying: Either you are a Buddha or you are not One. Once past duality there is no more “in training”; linear time ends, and everything is connected as Everything. There is nothing else. Just you and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shadow

Posted on August 13, 2024 by JRL

Does the Shadow know what evil lurks in our hearts, how deep our vileness? To plumb to our bitter core takes piercing light, not darkness. Besides, evil grows in our mind, our thoughts of self; not in the heart’s realm. … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Pretend

Posted on July 29, 2024 by JRL

You choose a place and time to take a stand, although you realize, to some degreethat at the moment you first make said plan,it’s already missed opportunity. You take a breath and calculate the costwith all the tools at hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Be Here Now, Or Don’t Be

Posted on July 25, 2024 by JRL

Think about this, now:being here right here, there is nobeing somewhere else.What you “want” doesn’t matter; wish in one hand, as they say. If you choose elsewhereas the place where you must be,you’re not here at all.And where does that … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Zazen

Posted on July 21, 2024 by JRL

Breathing in and outIsn’t just for the cushion;It’s the entire thing.If you practice just sitting,This moment is everywhere. Try to stop breathing, And your attention can’t last;You are mind and body.Pretending at something elseRequires a lot of thinking. Everything you … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Salt Dolls and Other Temporal Measures

Posted on July 18, 2024 by JRL

In a dharma talk given July 15th for the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care (as part of their Summer 2024 Commit to Sit program), Zen teacher Norman Fischer said something quite interesting and profound. He was discussing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conversations | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment