[Challenging Times] - (3) - Four Noble Truths .. of Challenge .. - Myosho Kyle-Brown

[Jundo]

Dear All,

Let us turn to "The Four Noble Truths of Practice in Times of Challenge and Struggle" by Myosho Ann Kyle-Brown, from page 46 ...

... a mother of eight steps into a new life path. Children growing, emptying nest ... No place to go, but many new paths.

Rev. Myosho will be a guest teacher here at Treeleaf on Sunday March 19th, information and exact times to be posted in the coming days.

For those waiting for their ordered book, still considering purchase, or unable to afford or obtain the book, I have made a PDF version available here:

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?21189-Challenging-Times-PDF-Now-Available-For-those-who-need

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Kiri]

I feel this chapter stands somehow in contrast with the previous one. I felt Shosan's accidents and straggles deep in my bones. It was shocking and painful to read how she had to stand up again and again, and how she managed to recover. Myosho's chapter felt like a tale - a very lovely, funny, informative and never-ending tale. You can feel her artistic touch and artistic interpretation almost in every situation and sentence. I enjoyed reading this chapter and it's probably the one I will more easily revisit in the future.

Btw, what does Shoyoku mean?

Gassho, Kiri
Sat/Lah

[paulashby]

I enjoy Rev.Myosho's raw honesty and think we have the basis for a
zen sit com. Consider the constant leap before you look choices:
A Brady Bunch plus 2 with 8 kids in the same space. How will the
couple survive?
A 48 year old who has never been to zen center goes for the first time
and is dive bombed by a large crane! The zen teacher protects her by
throwing his long black sleeves at the charging crane.
This 48 year old begins her practice with a sesshin. Yes, that is crazy.
On day 4 she has to hike her skirt to check her posture and sore legs.
6 of 8 children have major issues of health and one expresses rage through
Punk Rock connections. One attempts suicide.
The zen teacher roars one word sermons including growling like the cocaine bear.
The wife announces to the husband she is becoming a monk.
Did I leave out moving to Japan to train and thinking she could
just pick up the language in a couple weeks?
This reminds me of the Tibetan Buddhist notion of Crazy Wisdom.
Maybe I am just too logical...a look before you leap kind of person.
What did I take from her essay? Some days you just have to roll
with the punches and suffering is just in the ring of life.

Gassho,peace, Paul Ashby sat lah

[Onkai]

I really enjoyed this essay. It brought out the yearnings we find in practice. It was touching when, worried about one of her daughters, she saw her daughter in a new light and was able to open up communication with her. I don't think I'd be able become a monk like she did, but can relate to how practice set her free. I look forward to her talk at Treeleaf.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat lah

[Tokan]

Hi everyone

I enjoyed this chapter, it's depth was in it's simplicity and sincerity (in my view) and reflected some the yearnings (as Onkai points out) that call us to practice. It's also a bit humorous, with the marriage dynamic, as our individual life intersects with our shared lives.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[aprapti]

i too enjoyed reading this story and look forward to her talk


gassho1 aprapti

sat

[Shokai]

and suffering is just in the ring of life. [claps] :encouragement:

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Seikai]

What a joy to read. I am really looking forward to her visit.



ST/LAH

[Kokuu]

I love how Myosho Sensei writes this chapter and especially these words from her teacher:

"You already Buddha. You sit. You remember."

Such simple and lovely practice instructions!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Tairin]

Like others said, I found this essay to be very warm hearted and infused with some humour.

gassho2
Tairin
Sat today and lah

[DanM]

As others have said, this was quite a fun chapter to read. I like her honesty about her initial naivety and how she responded by practicing with sincerity.

Gassho,
Dan
Sat

[Veronica]

Loved this chapter! Motherhood, change, courage, freedom... So much to relate to.
Veronica
Sat today

[Shinchi]

I also really enjoyed this chapter. I look forward to her visit and hope to be able to join live this time.

Gassho,
Shinchi
STlah

[Hōzan]

Nice chapter. Lighter reading than the previous chapter for sure. Really liked her explanation of why we suffer: "we want the things we want". A nice way of explaining that it is the grasping that is the problem, and not the wanting by itself.

gassho2 Michael
Satlah

[Chikyou]

I very much enjoyed this and found it deeply inspirational.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly