Ordinary Mind Zen School No Fixed Views
Jan 5, 2026
A talk about how rigid judgments warp situations, illustrated by a neighborhood dispute over a childcare incident. The difference between cold facts and emotional stories is explored. Wisdom is presented as flexible and responsive rather than rule-bound. Practical advice includes when to accept, when to act, and seeking calm counsel to avoid group-driven escalation.
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Childcare Centre Neighbourhood Dispute
- Geoff Dawson shares a neighbourhood story about a childcare centre that neighbours had a negative view of due to prior incidents.
- A child seen over the fence caused alarm until the centre explained a father had the child on his shoulders, revealing how narratives distort facts.
Wisdom Requires Flexibility Not Fixed Views
- Wisdom cannot arise from fixed views; it must be fluid and responsive to present facts rather than preconceptions.
- Geoff compares wise response to legal fact-finding: each incident needs its own factual assessment, not past reputation.
Teachings Can Become Dogma If Applied Mechanically
- Buddhist teachings themselves can calcify into fixed views if applied mechanically to every situation.
- Geoff cites stories like Hakuin and Torū Zenzai's Bodhisattva vow to show teachings need contextual, not blanket, application.