Think Positively?

At the bottom of this blog, we keep the Mount Sumeru Koan available for all visitors to the blog.  Insomuch as koan study can be used as part of a Zen studies programmed curriculum, we would say that Mount Sumeru is our first assignment.  The exchange between a student and Master Yun-Men is quite short, yet everything you need to answer the question is found within it.  If we can say that koan study has a goal at all, it may include seeing a situation clearly, as if through the eyes of Master Yun-Men and every other sage.

So, consider now this question: "When the question of another's motive arises, should I always assume the best?"

I have posted some background and commentary regarding this question on the Sword Mountain website, but I would encourage Baltimore Zen students to go one step further:  If asked, "When the question of another's motive arises, should I always assume the best?" how would you answer?

Ignoring or Denying Thought? A Note to a Student

In Aikido class today, I gave a fairly brief introduction to Patriarchal Zen practice so that interested students could begin their own exploration and find for themselves the relevance to our martial arts practice.  A student, in an effort to summarize, asked roughly if the practice was about practicing ignoring thought.

In an effort to centralize my hybrid Aikido & Zen studies, I've been posting my thoughts and responses on the Sword Mountain Aikido & Zen website.  You can find my first-draft answer to this question here.

Please feel free to visit and comment!

Recent Activity

The Zen Center has been too busy to post updates here?  It's true!  Not to worry though: We are not only alive and kicking, but also growing and thriving!

We've made a better effort to let you all know that the Tuesday evening Dharma Class, held weekly from 7-9 P.M. in the Hermitage, is open to everyone of all traditions and faiths with a who are curious about Zen, and everyone is starting to respond!  Word is getting out and attendance is up  Beginners, advanced practitioners, and everyone in between are always welcome---come as you are!  So, what are you waiting for?

J.B. has also been keeping Saturdays packed with activities, including longer meditation sessions, classes, pot-luck dinner gatherings, and other activities.  Stay tuned on this website, our Twitter stream, and especially in our Facebook group (all links on the sidebar to the left) for the latest information.

Joe has also been busy with his study of Zen through the martial art of Aikido.  In order to keep this site heavy on Zen and BZC news and light on technicalities specific to the martial arts, we've set up a second website, Sword Mountain Aikido and Zen, to cover the activity.  Anyone with an interest is certainly welcome to follow and comment on the activity there.  Moreover, anyone with an interest in our practices is welcome to email Joe directly.  Classes are held in Columbia, Marlyand (21045) as well as at Baltimore Zen Center (Severn, MD 21144) depending upon interest and availability of the participants.

For some Zen mixed with everyday life, you're also welcome to follow Joe's personal blog, Inexhaustible Things. You never know what will show up there...

Stay tuned!