Comments on: What’s in a Name? A Take on “Zen Habits” From a Zen Monk

By: Shambhala Sun Space » Zen Habits?

Shambhala Sun Space » Zen Habits? — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:51:09 +0000

[...] his use of the word Zen could be questioned, the content is generally quite useful for modern practitioners who are interested in simplifying [...]

By: Laurel Vogel at Ninth Elegy

Laurel Vogel at Ninth Elegy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:03:12 +0000

@Jack–yes, do check out the book Leo was so kind to mention here. It’s a memoir of my father’s death by alcoholism, and I wrote it to help others heal their lives through relational therapy and emotion-focused therapy. At this point, I have made no money from the book, and, in fact, will probably not ever break even on it. But it had to be written. My partner and I self-published so that it could be available to others who want to do this deep healing work.

@Ito Taka/Tzumeister–I mostly agree…and I don’t think zen leaves out the posts or the space between them. It’s there in everything. That’s real non-dualism–it contains both the spaces in between and the substance…Thanks for your comments everyone!

By: tzumeister

tzumeister — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:37:17 +0000

recommend you back it up about 3 messages to ITO TAKA’s message. this is what i attempted to convey about 20 messages prior.

YOU know NOT what zen is

as soon as you label it you’ve lost it

“zen is the space between the posts”
nicely done ITO

By: My Guest Blog on Getting Along With the Neighbors

My Guest Blog on Getting Along With the Neighbors — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:06:20 +0000

[...] and I am honored she hosted my post. I’d be remiss to not mention that she recently did a guest post spot at Zen Habits. If you know how much I like that blog, you know why I respect that accomplishment immensely. But [...]

By: Tom Stine | Spiritual Life Coach

Tom Stine | Spiritual Life Coach — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:12:27 +0000

While I agree with everything Laurel says, I must admit that there is something amusing at times in some of the positions Leo takes on a blog called Zen Habits. I recall one in particular where he sounded so rational, Western and scientific that it made MY preconceived notions of what a blog with Zen in the title should be get all excited. I simply had to respond to that one. :-)

I suspect, though, that as long as the blog is Zen Habits, there will be lots of folks show up looking for something more seemingly “spiritual.” Isn’t that to be expected? And the comments will continue. I, for one, will always smile, though, when I hear Leo sounding “un-Zen” in one of his posts.

For like it or not, Zen, no matter how abstractly we attempt to define it or open we try to make it sound, will still carry for most of us spiritual if not, dare I say, religious connotations. Simply the nature of the beast! So, while I don’t agree with the dissenters, I can certainly see their point of view.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:20:17 +0000

The one definitive message of the entire post is found in the very last line of type:

“check out her book”

For sale, right?

By: morgin1013

morgin1013 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:29:55 +0000

I’m fairly new to this blog but have found it very informative and helpful. So to Leo keep up the good work you are doing exactly what you should be. You can see that from all the commenter’s that have expressed that you have helped them or informed them in some way. I do want to say that I have noticed on any blog or forum, or article with comments that someone always has to trash talk, or complain, or be rude, or argue. I think it’s because people think of the internet as anonymous so they think can act or speak however they want without consequences.The simple truth is on the internet people will flame you and more often then not it’s more about them then anything you’ve said or done. You can’t make everyone happy (especially on the internet) you’d drive yourself crazy even trying to and that’s not very “zen”.

By: Ito Taka

Ito Taka — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:58:08 +0000

I am a Zen monk in the Fujoto Isuta tradition, and have lived my life in the Zazentimuma discipline. I was trained by Teacher Ryuma Tokare of the Sota Kameka school.

All talk of “defining” Zen is misplaced and useless. Zazen cannot be constrained to any individual’s understanding. When you are sure you can define it, be assured that it is in fact what you think it is not.

Zen is a blank message space in the midst of these posts.

By: dan

dan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:34:16 +0000

great post. more posts by zen monastics, please!

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:06:35 +0000

Hi All

Names and labels really mess things up. For me the word Zen has no issue. I do go to AA though and the word God………..really snookered me for a while until i figured out
it could be whatever i felt comfy with and if other people had different viewpoints so what…… : )