#35 OHIO

I stopped in (virtually) for the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism's Sunday service, out of Columbus, with about fifteen zoom participants and ten in-persons.   The Center's tagline is 'Mindfulness made meaningful for today's world,'  and in their 'about' section they note that the historical Buddha broke through stale traditions, and rejected much of philosophy for a pragmatic approach.  It's hard to argue with, although at the same time, the group is primarily Zazen with lay and ministerial leaders schooled in the Zen tradition. 

We began with an announcement of upcoming activities, including a meeting with the Central Ohio Interfaith group.  I think it speaks to the strength of faith to explore it with others.  After twenty-one rings of the bell, we sat silently for twenty-five minutes, then Johnny, one of the lay leaders, gave a talk on the four foundations of mindfulness, specifically around one of the four qualities of mindfulness practice:  Diligence (the other three qualities are wisdom, mindfulness and concentration).

Several factors strengthen diligence:  Reflecting on purpose, acknowledging the rarity of the availability of spiritual teaching, recognition of impermanence, and noting how our actions are karmically related to results.   I enjoyed a brief discussion.  I like Sanghas like this, which remind me so much of the Buddhist Sangha of Bucks County, where the group feels free to jump in and offer some thoughts. 

One practitioner noted that Covid has increased the pressure of impermanence, bringing it to the fore, and Sensei James offered the counterpoint that to prevent the extremes of hedonism or hopelessness as responses to loss, a sense of interconnectedness is required.   I feel that very strongly in these moments of spiritual practice together, no matter how far away I am. 

Sensei James also referenced a moment of enlightenment he once had, after which he asked a teacher to give him a Dharma name that invoked the separation and impermanence of life, after which the teacher promptly awarded him a name that means 'connected to all things.'   

The Wheel - Robert Hunter

The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will.

Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?