Infinite Smile

In tonight's talk, Michael considers the fifth anniversary of September 11th. Listening and seeing both self and others from an expansive rather than a contracted view supports the unfolding of the Peace that is never absent. Questions and comments deal with the experience of engaging those who wish us harm; and meeting conflict with our full presence.

In tonight's talk, Michael considers Eihei Dogen's map of Awakening. First we study the self, then we forget the self, and in doing this we are enlightened by all things. Questions and comments deal with the experience of uncooperative people in our lives; and recognizing when we are pushing ourselves too hard, or perhaps not enough.

In tonight's talk, Michael reviews the basic steps of our Path leading toward Awakening. He begins with our sense of separation and then points to that which is beyond it. Opening lessens the intensity of our craving and resistance patterns. From here our relationship to birth and death shifts in ways that support our ability to engage the world from a place of total awareness. Questions and comments deal with the experience of grief; the definition of a bodhisattvas; the criticism of too much sitting on our cushions in buddhism and not enough engaged action; coming back from our mountain-tops; and consciously choosing from beyond the mind.

When we really begin to let our lives become spiritual laboratories, we can uncover our preferences. When we uncover our preferences, we can expose our attachment to the veils that keep Spirit from our conscious experience. In tonight's talk, Michael points out that the Objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand, while epitomizing the clinging and contraction of ego, offers us a way to the Path of Awakening since her work, ironically, can help us see past the personal preferences of ego. Questions and Comments deal with avoiding preferences versus changing our relationship to them; the idea of wanting enlightenment; and consciously choosing from beyond the mind.

According to the Buddha all life is characterized by suffering, impermanence, and no self. In tonight's talk, Michael uses the poem "Invictus" by Wm. Earnest Henley in order to point us in the direction of these Three Marks of Existence, thus offering us a way to uncover our true nature. Despite the fact that the audience microphone was on the fritz this evening, and the questions and comments can barely be heard, the responses might be of interest.

There's a huge difference between what we think about things that arise in life and how we feel about them. In tonight's talk, Michael offers us some suggestions on how we can practice relaxing in the space between thoughts. Questions and comments deal with the difficulty in bringing "release" into the world when everyone else is getting in the way; the non-linear development along the developmental Path of Spirit; and coming to stillness of mind through the movement of body.

What should we do about seduction as we walk the spiritual Path? Not just physical seduction, but intellectual, emotional, and even spiritual seduction. In tonight's talk, Michael suggests that seduction is the natural magnetism that shows us our attachments. Questions and comments deal with what to do after ego is exposed yet still is able to pull life's levers; the difference and sameness of "surrender" and "acceptance"; getting seduced by negativity as well as getting seduced by activity.

The Buddha taught that enlightenment is nothing other than the "end of suffering". In tonight's talk, Michael points out that "forgiveness" is nothing other than letting go of stories, identities, and our ideas of enlightenment. This letting go is the end of suffering. To this end, this talk deals with how attachment shows up in mind and in body in order to create suffering for ourselves and others. Questions and comments deal with recognizing the difference between mind and body; recognizing the difference between the voice of the Observing Mind and the Observing Mind itself; and the effects of Awakening on the world.

In tonight's talk, Michael suggests that cutting through the veils that hang between ourselves and Awakening involves getting beyond the inertia of habitual mind patterns. "Hal", as is said in Sufiism, is the gift of Awakening. But "maquam" is what is earned on the way to the embodiment of this Awakening. Questions and comments deal with what the heavy lifting of embodiment looks like and how getting clever in relationship to practice can inhibit our growth; the difference of being fully present and totally indulgent; and how Awakening deprives us of our attachments to our dreams.

What happens when we confuse the map with the territory? In tonight's talk, Michael suggests through the words of Suzuki Roshi, that our stillness practice is a "general housecleaning of our mind." Questions and comments deal with identifying the stones that block the flow of life; personal enlightenment versus non-personal enlightenment; the suggestion that any awakening experience, or satori, is a map but not the territory of enlightenment; and the difference between sages and normal people.

Is ten minutes enough time to meditate in order to apprehend the Middle Way? How about twenty minutes? An hour? In tonight's talk, Michael suggests through the words of Descartes, the Koran, and Mohammed, that we need to stay comfortable but not too comfortable with our stillness practice if transformation is to occur. Questions and comments deal with being available to Spirit; seeing one's meditative practice just like a golf swing; having chutzpah as well as softness in one's practice; and turning the heat up on your meditation in the way only you know how to do.

So how do we support an intimacy with the Infinite when we face a continual crash of the real world? In tonight's talk, Michael offers us a brief description of the Buddhist version of what puts us in the direct light of Awakening. He breaks down the Eightfold Path into three sections and points out that our concepts of enlightenment are what keep us from enlightenment. Questions and comments deal with how we stay close to stillness; and meditative practice getting supported throughout the day.

What happens when we have an experience of Awakening? In tonight's talk, Michael offers us a description of those things that veil us from these events. He also points out how the process of opening ourselves to a meditation practice and the raw nature of the unfamiliar can turn us into an "Oscar the Grouch" of consciousness. Even so, studying this experience opens us to the Absolute. Questions and comments deal with the practice of not being "safe" all the time; and the sense of "stepping up to the plate" with total relaxation.

In tonight's talk, Michael deals with the Buddhist teachings of No Self and Near Enemies. When we see that our work towards that which is beyond a contracted sense of self, is exactly what pushes us past anything personal, the near enemies of affection, pity, greediness, and indifference show themselves as qualities of ego. Questions and comments deal with "personal" versions of the Path; roles and the small things we identify with in life; grief and attachment to loved ones who are dying; and surfing between the Ultimate and conventional worlds.

In tonight's talk, Michael suggests that living in the world from an undivided spaciousness is the only way to manifest peace. This extends to any particular way we might engage as activists in the world. A comment deals with the ease of communicating from a place of undivided attention.

In tonight's talk, Michael points out that there are no guarantees. From here we can begin to surrender consciously to all that is presented to us. Questions and comments deal with becoming obsessive about the witnessing of our thoughts; intention in our lives and our practice; light, medium, and deep practice as reflections of patience and energetic discipline.

In tonight's talk, Michael suggests that teaching is often about relentlessly pointing toward the source of our sense of "I" and "me". While this may sound weird and be very uncomfortable to the ego, it is the key to Awakening. Uncovering what is always already available to our Observing Mind is the Path that leads us past our habitual egoic evaluations. From Observation we recognize that we are part of the All, and our activity becomes consciously infused with Spirit. Questions and comments deal with serving on a jury with consciousness; recognizing that practice brings stability in the face of the "tingling" sense of the Universe; dealing with the Great Recoil of putting ego in its place.

In tonight's talk, Michael points out how Spirit shows up on the path to Awakening. First, we uncover the essence of the self. Second, there is an uncovering of the essence of other. And third, the essence of the all uncovers itself. As this process of "uncovery" deepens so too does the Truth within our experience. Questions and comments deal with differing views of the Path; where death fits in to the whole process of seeking; letting go of the letting go; and what grace and ease really looks like.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses how our practice can be light, medium or deep. Deep practice takes us to the ragged edge of our personal limitations and in the process show us the view of the Impersonal. Questions and comments deal with consciously letting the dharma get us wet; dealing with this practice as well as a partner who doesn't practice; and patience that comes with deep practice.

Can we really count on anything? Anything at all? In tonight's talk, Michael discusses how Nietszche's suggestion that "change is the only constant" holds true for all things. Questions and comments deal with attachment to personal views; and how all of this can relate to koan study.