We had the opportunity to welcome Zenki Christian Dillo to the studio this weekend for a workshop about Zen philosophy and practice. Christian came from The Crestone Zen Center to speak and practice with us on a donation basis, and a great turnout of locals came to the studio to learn from him. One of the main things he discussed was that as practitioners on a spiritual path we need to focus on what is nourishing for us, what is TRULY nourishing for us, and what is not nourishing for us. He even used the example of getting new gear. He said that would nourish many of us here in Crested Butte, but was it TRULY nourishing? What are those things that truly nourish our souls and cause “flourishing” in our lives, our families, community, and world?
This brought up the concept of renunciation. Instead of the traditional idea of giving things up, by becoming aware of what is TRULY nourishing, certain things in life would naturally drift out of our lives. This contrasts with our general idea that renunciation requires change, sacrifice, and discomfort. Christian’s concept of renunciation allows it to happen slowly, creating the space for us to “drift” into the changes with some ease. He felt that it was also important to allow ourselves to occasionally try those old habits/patterns/friends. This way, we could notice the way it was NOT nourishing us and would therefore help us drift toward new relationships and behaviors with more confidence and wisdom that comes from this type of discernment.
He also discussed that it was essential to REPLACE the old friends/habits/patterns with ones that would help us achieve a more flourishing life and the importance of sangha/kula/community to practice together. There would be an inevitable discomfort associated with giving up the old patterns and we would need to face the fact that some people would see us as duds, judge us, and not understand why/what we were doing. This paved the way for his discussion on how a sitting practice was an “upward bridge” and would help us to having a greater awareness of the mind/body. The practice of sitting helps us understand we are more than just physical body and how our mind/body interfaces and interacts with everything and everyone else is a primary focus in the Buddhist tradition.
The concept of suffering was also addressed as one of the major teachings in Buddhism. He explained that the way we experienced suffering could be diluted to being directly related to the degree of resistance that we had towards changing our habits and towards the circumstances that arose in our life. Pain is inevitable. If we do not resist, we do not suffer. If we resist less, we suffer less.
Zenki explained that once we begin to make more nourishing choices it becomes our spiritual path. Although sitting was the Zen method, he also addressed the importance of movement (Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.) particularly for the western body that is not used to sitting all day on the ground and the intricacies and challenges of adapting the practice to fit for the western world. Although Zen was traditionally created for young men, it is essential that it be adapted to include women and men living in these times.
I felt a renewed sense of commitment toward the path I have been on, the role of the studio in our community, and the kula that was blossoming in Crested Butte. I was inspired by the way my life seems to be flourishing despite many challenges, and grateful for the “upward bridge” and the teachers that have appeared on my journey.
THE FREEDOM EXPRESS with Shiva Rea’s partner, Demetri, was a blast, and hosting “D” here was a special treat for me. His excitement in teaching his combo of Yoga, Trance Dance, and Buddhist meditation is infectious, and the way he transmits it with such ease, joy and knowledge is very special. We each gave the “conductor” our tickets and were off!