"Pain Don't Hurt"

The name...is Dalton.

Patrick Swayze will probably be remembered best for mainstream hits like Dirty Dancing or Ghost. At least that's probably what the ladies will remember him for. One of his lesser roles has become a cult hit, among action movie fans, guys, and a smaller segment of society, bar and club security. Whether bouncers, coolers, or doormen, ask any of them, and they'll tell you that they couldn't be portrayed better than Patrick Swayze did in the role of Dalton.

Not just a typical meathead, Dalton has a degree in Philosophy from NYU, and is a well-trained martial artist. As a bouncer who graduated from UMBC with a Philosophy degree, I'll admit that I held a certain fondness for the character of Dalton, and have had a chuckle in the past when the inevitable comparisons have come up, as recent as last Friday's shift. Dalton's philosophy of bouncing prefered to talk people down, to "cool off" situations rather than resorting to violence. When violence came though, he held his own.

In one of the film's most noteworthy scenes, Dalton lays out his groundrules for bar security to his new staff. It's made up of three simple rules.

#1. Expect the unexpected. Never underestimate your opponent.
#2. Take it outside. Don't fight in the bar.
#3. Be nice.

The scene is here. Just a warning, it includes some foul language:



Dalton is questioned by his staff about Rule #3. What if they insult us?

"It's just two nouns strung together designed to elicit a response."

It's movie Zen to be sure, but no less true. When someone insults us, their words only have meaning if we give it to them. We have to self-identify with the description they are putting forward of us. This is true on a micro-level, in personal relationships, and on a macro-level in cultural and national interactions. Words and symbols may be used by one party because they desire a certain response from another party. If they second party is unaware, and attach to those words, they've allowed the first party to win. Insults and epithets hurt us not because the words have power in themselves, but because we allow them to have power over us. We are attached to our own egoistic vision of ourselves, and cannot abide by someone degrading that vision.

Through the practice of gongan, we question "What did he mean by that?" When Master Yunmen responded to his student, "Mount Sumeru!", why did he respond like that? In doing so, we search for Yunmen's mind, for our own mind. Pohwa-seunim, our teacher, says that every interaction with the people we meet is like a gongan. When we're in an argument, rather than looking at the words at face value, to delve into "Why did he say that?" or "Why did she say that?" It's not just enough to have a rational understanding of it, but to push beyond that to attain the mind of the person we are arguing with, and to realize that there is no thing between their mind and ours.

In my time as a bouncer, I've been called more names than I can count, some quite creative. Pohwa-seunim's teaching of "Why did he speak like that?" transforms those interactions from an egoistic struggle for dominance, to an opportunity for mind-to-mind transmission, a chance for understanding and compassion, even in a dark, noisy pub, and not a quiet, serene temple.

Dalton would get it.

Upcoming events at the Baltimore Zen Center

October 3rd is a huge day at the Baltimore Zen Center, we hope you're here!!!

Half-Day Sit

Half-Day Sits are great times for beginners to really dig in to their practice with the rest of the sangha. It's also a great time for experienced practitioners to continue moving forward. It's a great way to kick off the weekend and move into the next week.

The retreat will begin with a short Dharma talk & instructional. Each sitting meditation session will be 30 minutes long and separated by 10 minutes of walking meditation. Before the final sitting session, we will perform the 108 prostrations, an incredible practice, useful for centering both body & mind. The sit will be followed up with a brief Dharma talk & discussion session over a light lunch & traditional tea.

Suggested donation: $20
Time: 9am-12pm

Four Truth & Eight Steps
The foundation of our practice comes from Buddha's core teachings, known as the Four Noble Truths & the Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths are the observations that the Buddha made about the world around him, its nature, and its affect on us and how we relate to it. There is suffering in life, our suffering is brought about by our cravings, there is freedom from this suffering, and we can find freedom by following the Eightfold Path of wisdom, conduct, & meditation.

During this introduction class, we'll discuss how the Buddha's observations can be seen in our own lives, and how we can begin to practice the Eightfold Path.

This class is the perfect opportunity for those just beginning their Zen practice. It covers the fundamentals upon which our practice rests. For those who attend the morning Half-Day Sit, this continuation will allow you to reflect on how your meditation practice can apply to what you do in daily life, transforming your life to one complete practice.

For those not attending the Half-Day Sit, this is still a wonderful introduction to the fundamentals of what we practice at the Baltimore Zen Center.

For those only attending this Basic Training Class, we ask for a $20 donation to help cover expenses.

Time: 1pm-3pm

Harvest Moon Festival

In cultures around the world, the time of the Harvest Moon is a time of thanksgiving. We invite you to join us for a mix of modern & traditional festivities here at the Baltimore Zen Center.

Known as Chuseok in Korea, the Harvest Moon Festival is a time to remember our ancestors and pay respect to those who have had an impact on our lives. The Dharma Hall will be open all day for those wishing to honor their ancestors in the traditional fashion with food & incense.

In the evening, we have fun activities for family & friends alike, including games like tug-o-war. We'll have great foods, including Korean cellophane noodles, beef barbeque, fruits, & Harvest Moon rice cakes.

After dusk, we'll continue with a bonfire & moonviewing. We'll also be featuring poetry readings from famous local poets.

We'll also have a Sake tasting after sunset for the adults!

This is guaranteed to be a fun event for everyone, so don't miss out!

Time: 3pm - 2am

October 9th, 2009
Autumn Seobsim Retreat

Seobsim means "To gather the mind". It refers to an intense period of practice, devoting yourself almost entirely to meditation. The Seobsim retreat is designed to allow practitioners the chance to cut off outside distractions as much as possible.

This is a silent retreat, designed to give practitioners the chance to focus completely on their meditation. It is recommended for anyone who feels they are ready for an intense & deeply personal experience of themselves. It is not for the faint of heart. The seobsim is an opportunity to practice with other members of the sangha and encourage each other.

Those wishing to participate in the Seobsim are recommended to have taken part in one of the BZC's monthly Jwaseonhoes as a way of preparing themselves.

The seobsim will begin at 7pm Friday evening with bonfire meditation at the temple's outdoor fire pit. It will continue throughout the day on Saturday, ending at 5pm.

This is an overnight retreat, and as such, space is EXTREMELY limited. Please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your space.

Schedule
_______

Friday:

Sitting Meditation (50 minute sitting/10 minute walking intervals): 7pm - 12 Midnight

Saturday:

6am: Wake-up call
630: Morning chant
6: Meditation
730: Kigong
8: Breakfast
830: Sitting meditation
11: 108 Prostrations
12: Lunch
1: Sitting meditation
4: Concluding Dharma talk & discussion

A donation of $75 is requested to cover expenses.

Starting time: 7pm, Friday, October 9th, 2009
End time: 5pm, Saturday, October 10th, 2009