The Heart of the Way
Every one of us has some
pull towards what is true, a pull to wake up. Sometimes this can feel like a search for “something more.” In Japanese this is expressed as “do-shin,”
literally “Way – Heart/Mind.” Looking back over our life to see how The Way,
The Dharma, The Bodhisattva Mind arose and got cultivated in our life can be a
helpful new way to review our own life story. It can also help us to share in
hearing someone else’s story. Sometimes there is an event or burning question
that sparks this deeper aspiration or inquiry in our life. This newsletter
contains our first feature of this kind of personal story. We have asked Max Schlueter to be the first
to tell his story.
Taihaku
and Kenzan
Stumbling Around Zen
My journey to Zen Buddhism and Shao Shan Temple was
unnecessarily long and twisting. It was hampered by two things: 1) my taking an overly academic approach to
Zen; and 2) my reluctance to find a teacher and a sangha to support and help
deepen my practice.
About 15 years ago I was experiencing some serious work-related
stress. Looking for more effective
stress management strategies lead me to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book entitled, Full Catastrophe Living. Kabat-Zinn’s straightforward approach to mindfulness
and meditation started me on my journey to Zen Buddhism. Zazen (sitting meditation)
improved the quality of my life, which then allowed me to recognize a need to
add a spiritual dimension to my life. As
a professional researcher, the empirical, non-faith based nature of the Dharma
attracted me. For the next five years I
stumbled around doing daily meditation and reading Zen works with neither
guidance nor direction.
Looking for More
All of my readings suggested the importance of having a
teacher and being affiliated with a Zen temple. Though I understood this, I was reluctant to
make the effort to try and find a teacher and a practice center. What could a
teacher add to what I was already learning from reading the works of
distinguished Buddhist teachers? Finally,
at the urging of a Buddhist friend, I enrolled in a couple of weekend retreats at
Zen Mountain Monastery (ZMM) in upstate New York. Though the staff and sangha were
welcoming and the Zazen instruction was helpful, ZMM was a 4.5 hour drive and program
tuition was expensive. As an alternative
I sat briefly with a ZMM affiliate in Montpelier, but that was just
sitting. There was no interaction with a
teacher or study of the Dharma. Unsure of the next step, I took the easy path.
The Three Jewels
For another four years I practiced and studied by myself. Intellectually
I knew a few things about Zen teachings, but I also was realizing that I had
little actual experience practicing the Dharma. Though I knew
I needed a teacher and a sangha, the online list of Vermont Buddhist temples
was long and intimidating. Which one should I choose? Finally, a former
colleague and Buddhist friend recommended that I think about attending Shao
Shan Temple. Another year passed during which I periodically read Shao Shan’s
website, hemming and hawing about whether or not I wanted to contact the
priests for an introductory meeting.
Finally, in 2015 I met Taihaku and Kenzan and attended my
first Thursday afternoon sitting and discussion program. The Shao Shan Temple
grounds were peaceful, Taihaku and Kenzan were welcoming and knowledgeable, and
the sangha was diverse and interesting. I quickly realized that I had arrived at my
Dharma home. In 2016 I received the Precepts and in 2017 I became a formal
student. I now have two dedicated teachers, study the Dharma under their
guidance, and have many Dharma friends who inform, enrich, and support my practice.
As a solo practitioner my practice was
stagnant. As a member of Shao Shan Temple it has flourished.
Max Schlueter
