SIT-A-LONG with Taigu: Okesa 4

[Taigu]

[youtube] [/youtube]

[Myozan Kodo]

Thank you Taigu.
Gassho

[Shokai]

Thank you Taigu-oso;

I like it, no ownership, cut the crap, we are one, it's all good

_/_

[Dokan]

Wonderful Taigu. I really enjoyed this talk.

This past weekend I decided to sew a case for the kesa that was made in January. When pinning the fabric and getting it all measured and set, I had read that I just needed to sew a running stitch to connect the two pieces. Additionally, I remember the difficulty I had with the rakusu case when connecting the triangles (front) of the bag. I thought to myself, well it's just a running stitch...not really the kyakushi (back stitch). So my mind was justifying taking the short cut. But something didn't feel right. I poured (literally) blood, sweat and tears into the kesa. I sewed myself into the kesa...so taking an easier path did not seem like our practice.

Speed ahead 3 days later...I find my sensei of the kesa, yourself, confirming exactly what my heart/mind was telling me. Thank you for your teachings and continued support of our practice.

When listening to the talk, a paraphrase of Dogen from Fukanzazengi came to mind...

Think of not-sewing. How do you think of not-sewing? Non-sewing.



Gassho,

Shawn

PS - Posted to podcast. Should show up in iTunes shortly.

[Taigu]

Think of not-sewing. How do you think of not-sewing? Non-sewing.

Shawn-Dogen...no...SHAWN !


Deep gassho, deep gassho.



T.

[Amelia]

Thank you, Taigu. Having finally admitted "out loud" that I want to participate in Jukai, this talk was needed.

_/_

[Seiryu]

Thank you Taigu!
Fantastic! As always


=)

[Myoku]

Thanks & Gassho
Peter

[Taylor]

Gassho,

The stitches on my kesa vary greatly. When I was trying oh so hard to be oh so sacred, they formed into big, awkward stitches. Now I'm more at ease, small, even. The wonderful power of non doing.

p.s. despite the largeness of some stitches, I've left them as is. The kesa is a patchwork of my mind, my life. Not perfect, just perfect.

[Dosho]

Taigu,

Thanks you for this teaching!

And I can heartily endorse what Taigu says about using "small" stitches rather that the "smallest" stitches!

Gassho,
Dosho

[Hoyu]

Thank you Taigu Sensei. I love the analogy of front and back being mind and body, one and the same. Yes, even the parts of us, or our sewing, that no one sees are also vital parts of our practice which are not to be neglected!

Gassho,
John

[Hoyu]

P.S. Speaking of going out and having tea, I noticed the scroll behind you appeared to have a raku chawan on it. Could you please tell me about it?

Gassho,
John

[Myoku]

Which of the scrolls is it, the left or the right ? On the right I thought I noticed Bodhidharma...
_()_
Peter

[Hoyu]

Which of the scrolls is it, the left or the right ? On the right I thought I noticed Bodhidharma...
_()_
Peter

Hi Peter,

Actually it's the one which is directly behind Taigu Sensei. You can't really see it during the talk but I happened to notice it at the end when he does gassho. I could be wrong because it is only a quick sighting because I was also busy gasshoing back to him.

Gassho,
John

[Taigu]

Yes, it is a calligraphy from one of the Sojiji abbots representing a raku, tea bowl.

Gassho

Taigu

[Hoyu]

Yes, it is a calligraphy from one of the Sojiji abbots representing a raku, tea bowl.

Gassho

Taigu

Thank you for the information. Your scrolls are quite lovely!

Gassho,
John

[Ray]

Thanks so very much for the inspiring talk.

Gassho

Ray