Earth Dreams: Zen Buddhism and the Soul of the World Eight Realizations of Great Beings
As the calendar year comes to an end, I offer this poem as a re-write of a text that one of my Sanghas has been studying. The text is called The Eight Realizations of Great Beings, one story says it was one of the last teachings given by the Buddha before passing into PariNirvana.
I re-wrote the teaching as a way of distilling and remembering the practices we did together during our Autumn Ango. The teaching is about liberation and the profound realization of our interconnected life. I offer it as a capping phrase to this Autumn of our practice life, and as something we can turn over in our hearts throughout the winter and coming year. For the dharma teachings always get better with age.
The Eight Realizations: Pith Instructions for Living a Joyful Life
I—Impermanence
All the world is impermanent. Change is our nature.
Our bodies, minds, the body of the great earth and everyone we love
The universe with its stars and solar systems
Will change, are changing, will decay and give way to
Something new
Realize the truth of impermanence
And wisdom will be your guide
II—Clinging/Satisfaction
When we try to hold on to something that is changing
We suffer
Greed, hoarding, taking more than one’s share
This is clinging
This is suffering
Practice satisfaction, know how much is enough
Live in reciprocity with the earth and all beings
III—Simplicity
The mind is insatiable, always wanting more
and more, and more
Follow the path of liberation
Live simply
Make wisdom + compassion your sole vocation
IV—Joyful Effort
To follow the Way
Is like trying to swim upstream
It takes enthusiastic perseverance
And great care
Practice with others and
You are buoyed by their generous currents
V—Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great friend
Attention is healing
Truly an act of love
Listen to the wisdom of your
Body, feelings, mind and awareness
Practice discernment
And you won’t be misled
VI—Generosity
Generosity is a path
A generous heart is always full
Take joy in giving
And receiving
And you will realize
The gift of this life
VII—Interconnection
Vast is the Buddha’s robe of liberation
A formless field of interconnection
And kindness
Transmute unskillful desires
Into the heart of bodhicitta
Fill your bowl with compassion
And offer it to all
VIII—Vow
In this world of suffering and love
Remember that you are not separate
From anyone or anything
Vow to walk this path
For the benefit of all beings
Throughout time and space
These are the 8 realizations, the practices of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Ancestors and other great beings. Practice them, develop wisdom and compassion, and live in reciprocity with all beings. This is the way to living a joyful life.
I’m Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, budding Astrologer and Artist. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio with my partner Patrick Kennyo Dunn, we facilitate an in-person meditation gathering every Wednesday from 7P - 8:30P at ILLIO in Clintonville through Mud Lotus Sangha. If you happen to be in Columbus, feel free to stop by. We have weekly meditation gatherings and monthly Saturday offerings as well.
Thanks for reading friends! The recording is from a dharma talk that was given during Monday Night Meditation. You can find out more below. Also, I would love to hear from you, please feel free to like or comment on this post—and share it!
Current Offerings
Spiritual Counseling — IFS informed, mindful somatic therapy
Astrology— I am starting to offer astrology readings. I have found astrology to be a helpful map for connecting to the more mythic unfolding of life. It can help us honor our gifts, navigate challenges, get perspective and connect with planetary allies. It can also offer guidance on the questions that arise in our lives and aid us in stepping more fully into our wholeness. I am currently offering the following types of readings
* Great Work of Your Life Reading
* Astrology Gift Card — give the gift of an astrology reading
Art Shop — I sell my original paintings and prints
Monday Night Meditation + Dharma
Every Monday 6P PT / 9P ET
Join me on zoom for 40 minutes of meditation and a dharma talk. We are currently exploring a text called The Eight Realizations of Great Beings, which gives us an opportunity to practice inquiry and embodying love as we discover our Awakened Nature together.
This event is hosted by the Zen Community of Oregon. All are welcome to join. Drop in any time.
Sky + Rose: An Emergent Online Contemplative Community Braiding Spirit and Soul
Sunday Jan 5
10:30A PT - 12:30P PT / 1:30P ET - 3:30P ET
What is it? An experiment in the impossible task of excluding nothing and loving everything. An alchemy of play, presence and wandering into the shadows, you could say.
Sky & Rose is a practice container that will:
* Center group parts work practices to explore the fluidity, span and dream of who we are - somebody, nobody, everybody. You will be invited to express yourself vocally and physically, engage your imagination and play outside habituation.
* Do interpersonal and group meditation practices of seeing, being and awakening.
* Directly explore emotional embodiment & shadow work
* Include Beauty, Art & Wonderment as core practice elements
Through rituals of imagination, meditation technologies and co-created fields of intentional play, we can slip out, for a time, of confining identities defined by our histories, culture and comfort.
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