Republicans, Koans And Old Dogs

A couple different things are on my mind today.

First, the Republican National Convention is happening about 20 miles south of here so I feel compelled to say something about it. I’ll make it brief.

I listened to part of Romney’s very disappointing speech last night. To blame the “Liberals” for the federal deficit is utterly whacked but almost equally as whacked as many of his other so-called arguments for voting for McCain.

The most disturbing thing, though, was a young spokeswoman for McCain, interviewed on CNN, who said that Obama’s legislative record was one of carrying water for the Democratic party’s agenda – sponsoring the easy bills.

To suggest that any African-American is a water boy plays to the meanest, most racist images I can imagine.

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard such dancing with racial stereotypes by the McCain camp. The “celebrity” campaign has definite racial undertones. It looks to me like one thread of their attack is to suggest as subliminally as they can that Obama is just another talented (“Golly, can he sing and hoop!”) Negro boy.

I don’t think we should take this sitting quietly. Right speech in this case is to speak out loudly and clearly.

And generally, we have got to make this election process shorter if we can’t make it more noble.

The other thing (and now for something completely different…) that’s on my mind follows recent email questions from people about zazen and whether they should work with koans or shikantaza.

Here’s a quick version of what I have to say about that:

To put the technique first is upside down.

Right-side up is to put the teacher-student relationship first. Check out the last book of the Avatamsaka Sutra with the pilgrim Sudhana wandering all over the world to practice with 53 teachers – monks, nuns, spirits and various non-humans – if you want to see some sutric support for this. It is also a very beautiful read, widely embracing many aspects of our humanity. A deep meditation in itself.

Or just get going looking for a teacher with whom you feel affinity and then take up the practice they offer with diligence whether they teach koans, shikantaza, Unitarianism, visualizations, noting, or “The Lord’s Prayer.”

What is affinity?

Affinity is affinity. Don’t over think it. You’ll know it when you stumble over it. It might take some time to discover/uncover. With Katagiri-roshi it took a few years for me to confirm the strong affinity I felt with him during our first meeting.

Anyway, after giving it a real try, if you don’t feel it with a teacher, then keep looking.

When you find the right teacher, become a student as wholeheartedly as you can. There really isn’t much time.

Zen pups become old dogs before you know it.

Comments welcome.

Republicans, Koans and Old Dogs