A NEW KOAN

BELONGING BUT NOT CLINGING

PART OF MY KOAN STUDY

KILLING THE FORM

BECOMING THE FORM

BUT UNAWARE OF THE FORM

IN TOTAL AWARENESS

ALAN

Not Knowing Is Most Intimate

I have been reading comments related to a couple of post by Dosho Port over at WildFox Zen. I have come to appreciate my ignorance about the subject matter. It is freeing not to have to get into the fray (which is a healthy fray, by the way) and just go back to the cushion and sit.

I am capable of such frays when it comes to Christian theology and quite often enjoy a good debate about the "God" thing, along with a sip of single malt scotch.

But this place of not knowing truly is most intimate.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE AT HAND ?

To carry yourself forward and experience myriad things is delusion. That myriad things come forth and experience themselves is awakening.

The Genjokoan

FAMILY PRACTICE

I have been granted the privilege of spending the last three and half days parenting (as a grandparent) along with my wife, my oldest granddaughter Caroline, while my daughter and her husband presented us with a new arrival October 9. 

(Caroline and Lily)

Having to constantly pay attention to the needs of an almost two year old (Ocotober22) is quite instructional in the art of mindfulness.

It is also quite instructional in letting go of what I want to do.
When my first two granddaughters, Caroline and Alice,

(Caroline and Alice)
entered my life I called them heart expanders.
They revealed a part of me that was hidden and I am thankful for that.

What I have noticed over these past few days is how freeing it is to just let go and go with the current of this river called family.

What a wonderful life!

Nothing is permanent. I know this!

I will enjoy all these new flowers in my life and when the seasons change, I hope I can pay attention to that and respond to that change with a grateful heart and an enlightened mind.

They are all such a big part of my practice now.

Again,
Bows to these teachers,
Alan

p.s.
And to the other one on the way

Everything is Holy

Caroline Jo Coleman with her new sister Lily Allen Coleman

When all is intimate, all is holy!

Deep Bows,

Alan

(Thanks to James over at Monkey Mind for the reminder)