I once attended a silent, weekend, meditation retreat at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR. At the end of the session, one practitioner volunteered that he was a Christian minister and that he had encouraged by friends to attend a meditation retreat for over a decade and that he wished he hadn’t been hesitant in attending as he had never felt closer to God than in the retreat and that he would take the insight learned from it back to his ministry.
Top of the morning to you! Where are you? I live two miles north of Dollywood. My wife and I attended a TM workshop at the Art of Life Center in Boone, NC. It's beautiful country, but the housing was lousy and so was the teaching.
On the other hand, there's the North Carolina Zen Center in Pittsboro, NC. I used to watch their "sitting" sessions on the Internet; but at the end of each period of meditation, the participants would quietly get up and walk around the building. I'm not sure I can do that. I have serious neuropathy in my legs, ankles, and feet. https://nczencenter.org/
According to their website, it is just 59 miles from me - but Google Maps tells me it's a 5-hour drive.
So, that's how far I'd drive to go to a Retreat. I went to a chanting workshop at the Song of the Morning Yoga and Meditation Retreat up in northern Michigan. That was great fun - but it's a 15-hour drive for me.
If you can find a place that's anywhere close to both of us, let me know.
Why am I planning to stop writing on Substack in 31 days? It's because I used the I CHING to determine that Joe Biden would be out of office by July 20. I do not want to be known as a fellow that spreads lies.
In the extremely unlikely event that my prediction was wrong, I will still log in occasionally and comment on other people's writing (at least for those who do not demand financial reimbursement for the opportunity to comment). I may become a paid subscriber to YOUR newsletter; but even $60.00 / per year would be a stretch. I need quite a bit of medicine and I support Boys Town and the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary.
I live north of Seattle in the Great Pacific Northwest! Sadly, not that convenient for a meetup at any retreat centers that may exist between us. (But what is existence, anyway??? LOL!).
About July 20…yeah, I knew that (as you know.) I’ll offer this—though I’m familiar with the I-CHING, I don’t know enough about it yet to discern its veracity. I will say there might be more than one way to put a story together that still affirms some of its teachings (you are no doubt familiar with this, to be sure)—which is to say I don’t think you’d be “a fellow that spreads lies.” You’d just be a fellow, as you’ve written elsewhere, who is simply on a quest to learn and live this glorious and imperfect life as humanly and soulfully as possible while being open to the truths found in other traditions, in addition to those of our Judeo-Christian culture (this is what makes you interesting to me!). With all passions included. What an incredible example of humble Sagehood you could be, and that might arise, should you decide to stay around and write about how any outcomes, post July 20, may have changed you—to write the story of how the I-CHING influences you, why you have faith in it (especially as a man of Christ), and what learnings arose when something not expected (maybe) resulted. That’s not being dishonest; that’s being human.
Now, regarding Substack writers and paid subscriptions. Here is where you and I 1000% agree!!! I read the intro to your post (Meditation, Zazen, and Enlightenment—and YES I insist on playing with myself!!! LOL!) the other day where you share more about this; I was reading something I could have written (in fact, did though with different words)! It irks me to no end to start reading an essay I’m interested in only to find that a paragraph or two in, the rest is behind a paywall. (The thing I perhaps hate the most is how someone may repost an essay in Notes and say how AMAZING it is, but yet the entire thing is for Paid Subscribers Only. And what IS that about not being able to comment unless I give them my money??? How can anyone grow a readership that way?). I have committed to never charge for my writing on Substack. All my words, from my heart, are freely offered—it’s kinda a moral and ethical thing with me now (I never want to be perceived as such a pompous ass that others have to pay me to have the privilege of reading my words. YUCK! I don’t necessarily fault others for wanting to make money here, but it does become an insurmountable hurdle for me in that I also do not pay for any subscriptions either. I read what’s free and assume the Universe doesn’t care that I not read what is behind the artificiality and inauthentic, transactional paywalls.). If you would stay and comment periodically in things I post, I would enjoy the chance to stay engaged with you.
I am a fan of Boys Town AND the Pig Sanctuary! Gosh, Charles, you sure are a different man in real life from the one presented only through your writing here. But, as I think about that, I guess that describes us all. Which is another good caution that we should stop judging others so negatively—that we can have discourse on ideas that we disagree on, but we can do so while also caring deeply for the other human being. This, I think, now describes us.
Be kind to your body and compassionate with yourself—you really don’t need for me to tell you that, but something inside me believes we’d actually become quite close if we lived closer to each other.
I'm freaking out just now. I've never met a person that's heard of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. I have "adopted" an abandoned Pot-Bellied Pig named Carlton and they send me semi-annual updates on him (plus providing the most excellent of monthly newsletters)
Between you and me, the only time the I CHING ever led me down a wrong (?) path was when I asked it if I should marry my current wife. The answer was very clear:
DON'T MARRY THE MAIDEN. Oh well, I married her anyway. She was tough to break, but she's become an excellent nurse, cook, and housecleaner. And she finds time to garden.
Personally, I'm listening to John Lennon's GIIMME SOME TRUTH album. I love it.
Let's meet in Kansas! Though there are probably as many Ashrams in the flatlands as there are here in the Smokies.
I’m loving the inclusion of John Lennon—though appropriately famous, he was an under-appreciated philosopher of life during his time here. Yes, I’m a huge supporter of a couple other animal sanctuaries across the country—when I veered vegan, I dove all in on my compassion for especially farm animals who are typically born, bred, and abused just to become what we call…dinner. That’s for another time maybe. I’ll keep your I CHING disclosure confidential though it will be very interesting how things transpire leading up to July 20–you have me intrigued enough that I’ll be watching closely.
As a completely obsessed Lennon fan, my next album will be DOUBLE FANTASY.
When I was a social worker in the Copper Country of Michigan (on Lake Superior) I became friends with a client who had a herd of cattle. His wife had rheumatoid arthritis and his boys were too young to be much help, so he had an auction and sold his cattle. When all was done, he realized that one bull calf had been left behind. He gave it to me. We named it Fred. Fred would always wag his tail when my stepkids ran up to him. I'm sure glad I moved down to Grand Rapids before he grew up and was butchered. Like you, I have nothing but sympathy for the cows and sheep and pigs and birds that people slaughter.
My wife and I have nearly become vegan... but fish eyes don't get to me like cow eyes - so we eat a lot of fish.
My dad usually farmed a small herd of cattle to butcher. One time when I was very young but old enough to “get it,” one of our cows died while giving birth. The calf lived so we adopted it, nursed it, fed it, etc. Dad had to sell it cuz he knew he couldn’t kill it for meat.
One of the hardest things for me to give up was fish and chips—slathered in vinegar and tarter sauce. Oh, and oysters.
I wouldn't worry too much about a wrong prediction on political matters. But I Ching is not the way to get into closer contact with the spiritual realities of existence.
You only missed the one point that is really important for our lives. Always keep God centered in everything. For proper meditation clear the mind of early problems and focus on prayer in the name of Jesus. The human form of the triune God.
There are as many styles of meditation as there are people. Some pray. Some garden. Some say Om Mani Padme Hum over and over (which is a prayer). I praise the LORD while I am not in an altered state of mind. When I slip into a trance, I just enjoy the silence and the peace that it gives me.
Meditation is our secret sauce that each individual can reach! I found this article very realistic at many points. But most of all it was honest and filled with clarity.
We all have our vision of truth as long as if it is objective in my thought stream. All we can do is make the clear and clean effort. I tip my hat Charles
Nope. ZIVA Meditation is a new term to me. I'll be sure to study it today. This may be foolish superstition, but I always say a silent prayer before meditating. There are evil forces that would lead us astray and confuse us if we are not careful when wakening the Astral Body or even dipping into the unconscious. The only form of meditation I seriously dislike is TM. Like Silva Mind Control, I believe it is just a money-making racket.
ZIVA strikes me as a combination of Mindfulness Meditation and the Law of Attraction. It seems like a very positive thing. My own meditation might simply be an escape from reality. Or a step into the greater reality. I can accept that. Although my arms have become skinny, my shoulders are still broad. I love to learn what others believe and what their Practice is.
By the way, I’ve heard Dollywood is quite delightful.
Don’t be so sure about 32 days; I’m likely to encounter Chuck withdrawal before that
I once attended a silent, weekend, meditation retreat at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR. At the end of the session, one practitioner volunteered that he was a Christian minister and that he had encouraged by friends to attend a meditation retreat for over a decade and that he wished he hadn’t been hesitant in attending as he had never felt closer to God than in the retreat and that he would take the insight learned from it back to his ministry.
Now THIS resonates Charles. THIS is what I’m talking about with “common ground.” I hope to sit next to you at a retreat some day.
But why no you for 32 days?
Top of the morning to you! Where are you? I live two miles north of Dollywood. My wife and I attended a TM workshop at the Art of Life Center in Boone, NC. It's beautiful country, but the housing was lousy and so was the teaching.
On the other hand, there's the North Carolina Zen Center in Pittsboro, NC. I used to watch their "sitting" sessions on the Internet; but at the end of each period of meditation, the participants would quietly get up and walk around the building. I'm not sure I can do that. I have serious neuropathy in my legs, ankles, and feet. https://nczencenter.org/
According to their website, it is just 59 miles from me - but Google Maps tells me it's a 5-hour drive.
So, that's how far I'd drive to go to a Retreat. I went to a chanting workshop at the Song of the Morning Yoga and Meditation Retreat up in northern Michigan. That was great fun - but it's a 15-hour drive for me.
If you can find a place that's anywhere close to both of us, let me know.
Why am I planning to stop writing on Substack in 31 days? It's because I used the I CHING to determine that Joe Biden would be out of office by July 20. I do not want to be known as a fellow that spreads lies.
In the extremely unlikely event that my prediction was wrong, I will still log in occasionally and comment on other people's writing (at least for those who do not demand financial reimbursement for the opportunity to comment). I may become a paid subscriber to YOUR newsletter; but even $60.00 / per year would be a stretch. I need quite a bit of medicine and I support Boys Town and the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary.
I live north of Seattle in the Great Pacific Northwest! Sadly, not that convenient for a meetup at any retreat centers that may exist between us. (But what is existence, anyway??? LOL!).
About July 20…yeah, I knew that (as you know.) I’ll offer this—though I’m familiar with the I-CHING, I don’t know enough about it yet to discern its veracity. I will say there might be more than one way to put a story together that still affirms some of its teachings (you are no doubt familiar with this, to be sure)—which is to say I don’t think you’d be “a fellow that spreads lies.” You’d just be a fellow, as you’ve written elsewhere, who is simply on a quest to learn and live this glorious and imperfect life as humanly and soulfully as possible while being open to the truths found in other traditions, in addition to those of our Judeo-Christian culture (this is what makes you interesting to me!). With all passions included. What an incredible example of humble Sagehood you could be, and that might arise, should you decide to stay around and write about how any outcomes, post July 20, may have changed you—to write the story of how the I-CHING influences you, why you have faith in it (especially as a man of Christ), and what learnings arose when something not expected (maybe) resulted. That’s not being dishonest; that’s being human.
Now, regarding Substack writers and paid subscriptions. Here is where you and I 1000% agree!!! I read the intro to your post (Meditation, Zazen, and Enlightenment—and YES I insist on playing with myself!!! LOL!) the other day where you share more about this; I was reading something I could have written (in fact, did though with different words)! It irks me to no end to start reading an essay I’m interested in only to find that a paragraph or two in, the rest is behind a paywall. (The thing I perhaps hate the most is how someone may repost an essay in Notes and say how AMAZING it is, but yet the entire thing is for Paid Subscribers Only. And what IS that about not being able to comment unless I give them my money??? How can anyone grow a readership that way?). I have committed to never charge for my writing on Substack. All my words, from my heart, are freely offered—it’s kinda a moral and ethical thing with me now (I never want to be perceived as such a pompous ass that others have to pay me to have the privilege of reading my words. YUCK! I don’t necessarily fault others for wanting to make money here, but it does become an insurmountable hurdle for me in that I also do not pay for any subscriptions either. I read what’s free and assume the Universe doesn’t care that I not read what is behind the artificiality and inauthentic, transactional paywalls.). If you would stay and comment periodically in things I post, I would enjoy the chance to stay engaged with you.
I am a fan of Boys Town AND the Pig Sanctuary! Gosh, Charles, you sure are a different man in real life from the one presented only through your writing here. But, as I think about that, I guess that describes us all. Which is another good caution that we should stop judging others so negatively—that we can have discourse on ideas that we disagree on, but we can do so while also caring deeply for the other human being. This, I think, now describes us.
Be kind to your body and compassionate with yourself—you really don’t need for me to tell you that, but something inside me believes we’d actually become quite close if we lived closer to each other.
I'm freaking out just now. I've never met a person that's heard of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. I have "adopted" an abandoned Pot-Bellied Pig named Carlton and they send me semi-annual updates on him (plus providing the most excellent of monthly newsletters)
Between you and me, the only time the I CHING ever led me down a wrong (?) path was when I asked it if I should marry my current wife. The answer was very clear:
DON'T MARRY THE MAIDEN. Oh well, I married her anyway. She was tough to break, but she's become an excellent nurse, cook, and housecleaner. And she finds time to garden.
Personally, I'm listening to John Lennon's GIIMME SOME TRUTH album. I love it.
Let's meet in Kansas! Though there are probably as many Ashrams in the flatlands as there are here in the Smokies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWG9KAgD6UA
[Just Like] Starting Over - YouTube
I’m loving the inclusion of John Lennon—though appropriately famous, he was an under-appreciated philosopher of life during his time here. Yes, I’m a huge supporter of a couple other animal sanctuaries across the country—when I veered vegan, I dove all in on my compassion for especially farm animals who are typically born, bred, and abused just to become what we call…dinner. That’s for another time maybe. I’ll keep your I CHING disclosure confidential though it will be very interesting how things transpire leading up to July 20–you have me intrigued enough that I’ll be watching closely.
As a completely obsessed Lennon fan, my next album will be DOUBLE FANTASY.
When I was a social worker in the Copper Country of Michigan (on Lake Superior) I became friends with a client who had a herd of cattle. His wife had rheumatoid arthritis and his boys were too young to be much help, so he had an auction and sold his cattle. When all was done, he realized that one bull calf had been left behind. He gave it to me. We named it Fred. Fred would always wag his tail when my stepkids ran up to him. I'm sure glad I moved down to Grand Rapids before he grew up and was butchered. Like you, I have nothing but sympathy for the cows and sheep and pigs and birds that people slaughter.
My wife and I have nearly become vegan... but fish eyes don't get to me like cow eyes - so we eat a lot of fish.
Namaste
My dad usually farmed a small herd of cattle to butcher. One time when I was very young but old enough to “get it,” one of our cows died while giving birth. The calf lived so we adopted it, nursed it, fed it, etc. Dad had to sell it cuz he knew he couldn’t kill it for meat.
One of the hardest things for me to give up was fish and chips—slathered in vinegar and tarter sauce. Oh, and oysters.
I wouldn't worry too much about a wrong prediction on political matters. But I Ching is not the way to get into closer contact with the spiritual realities of existence.
You only missed the one point that is really important for our lives. Always keep God centered in everything. For proper meditation clear the mind of early problems and focus on prayer in the name of Jesus. The human form of the triune God.
There are as many styles of meditation as there are people. Some pray. Some garden. Some say Om Mani Padme Hum over and over (which is a prayer). I praise the LORD while I am not in an altered state of mind. When I slip into a trance, I just enjoy the silence and the peace that it gives me.
I tried to say earthly problems but this autocorrect program decided to change earthly to early. Never trust a computer for anything important.
Meditation is our secret sauce that each individual can reach! I found this article very realistic at many points. But most of all it was honest and filled with clarity.
Thank you. God nose I try.
We all have our vision of truth as long as if it is objective in my thought stream. All we can do is make the clear and clean effort. I tip my hat Charles
Silva method has been pushed by Mindvaley platform. I started and dropped it.
“Zen Buddhists count their breaths up to ten and start over, over and over again.” Didn’t know this.
You have been a Meditator since 55 years, WOW! 👏. have you heard about ZIVA Meditation?
Nope. ZIVA Meditation is a new term to me. I'll be sure to study it today. This may be foolish superstition, but I always say a silent prayer before meditating. There are evil forces that would lead us astray and confuse us if we are not careful when wakening the Astral Body or even dipping into the unconscious. The only form of meditation I seriously dislike is TM. Like Silva Mind Control, I believe it is just a money-making racket.
ZIVA strikes me as a combination of Mindfulness Meditation and the Law of Attraction. It seems like a very positive thing. My own meditation might simply be an escape from reality. Or a step into the greater reality. I can accept that. Although my arms have become skinny, my shoulders are still broad. I love to learn what others believe and what their Practice is.