I love this: "In Zen Buddhism, there’s a lay ordination ceremony where you are given a Buddhist name that your teacher chooses for you, usually in some Asian language, and the English translation generally sounds very spiritual and exotic, something like 'Way of Joy/ Boundless Equanimity' or 'Lotus Flower/Empty Mind.' But one of my favorite Zen teachers, Barry Magid in NYC, apparently gives people their own actual, ordinary, everyday names at lay ordination. In other words, my Buddhist name would be Joan Tollifson—this very person, this vulnerable and transient, utterly unique, totally imperfect, unresolved, flawed and yet absolutely perfect, ever-changing expression of totality, THIS is who I am called to be—not Tranquility Mountain or Pure Emptiness or Lotus Flower, not Toni Packer or Tony Parsons or Nisargadatta or Darryl Bailey, but THIS particular, unique, one-of-a-kind human being, just as I actually am, moment to moment. That’s such a powerful lesson, to be yourself, to find your own mind, to be as you are, to not hide behind anyone else, parrot anyone else, or try to fit yourself into anyone else’s shoes—to be true to your own truth—in spirituality, in nonduality, in politics, in whatever realm."
Thank you. That was excellent! I asked myself: what made me read this with so many competing messages this morning? It is not because I am addicted to authority, though I am certainly not closed to experts and authorities. We are seeing the result of the rejection of expert knowledge in our society, and it is dangerous. When I was in high school, I did not rebel against the nuns for the sake of rebelling. I did, however, rebel against indoctrination by disagreeing in religion class and was called a "very bold girl." That was not a compliment from Sister. However, I do in my heart wish that somebody did know the answers to life. I would like certainty, but that is not going to happen. I am not wired to attach to authorities, but I understand why people seek them for relief of their existential anxiety. Btw, I did read Death, the End of Self-Improvement, when it was published several years ago, and I really enjoyed it. So, I am recommending to readers here who haven't read it yet.
“Being another clueless bozo on the bus” - beautiful ! That resonates with me - from where I sit there is no one driving, I have no idea where I/we/it’s going and I’m just doing my best to enjoy the ride. Or, maybe better said by Chris Smither in his great song - “I’m not a passenger, I am the ride.” Thank you Joan for writing, sharing, caring - love to you…
First off, and not in any way to demote the words, but -- WOW! -- that painting is beauteously wondrous! 'Nuff said right there.
However, on the word stuff: Amen, Sister. Not that I've reached certainty about any of this, but you seem to strike just the right balance again, between the practical necessity of being who and what we are on the one hand, and getting help from others. Even when we offload trust to an "expert," it is our apparent choiceful self that is doing so. No escape! We are what we are. Not smugly, not excluding exploration of whatever is present. Just Be! (as many experts say)
For "not a teacher," Joan, you are a big helper. ThanXXX!
A wonderful post. And so timely, given all the divisions in our country about one side being right and the other wrong. It seems cutting people off who don't agree with us has become more accepted. We are each unique and each have a place in this work and it behooves us to express our uniqueness. And find our own truths.
I totally agree. People cutting each other off over political disagreements and refusing to even listen to different perspectives is very sad. It's challenging to be open-minded and to find the love when we feel strongly and emotions are triggered, but I hope we humans can all move beyond that kind of dogmatism, polarization, confirmation bias, and lack of generosity. 🙏❤️
Ah Joan, what another wonderful article that deeply resonated with me. When did you make that painting? I love it! I laughed at the image of you being another bozo on the bus, but I totally relate. I kinda like "tranquility mountain" as a name for you - just kidding. Yes, be true to my own truth, my own expression of that truth, but also see the unicity in that truth. Lovely.
Not sure exactly when I did that painting, but sometime in the last decade for sure. I play around on my iPad with an app called Art Studio. Years ago, I painted in oil and acrylic (I started college as an art major), but now I just do funny little drawings and self-portraits (like the one on the cover of Death: The End of Self-Improvement) and I play on Art Studio. This is a lot less messy. Requires no clean up, takes up no space. And it's great fun! 🤗❤️
Thank you Joan. Sitting here on terrace, enjoying the evening sun, while you are probably at your second morning cup of coffee, I thoroughly enjoy your writing. It is uplifting and grouding at the same time.
Joan, I wrote a piece recently that felt true to me, that followed the energetic movement that flowed through my body with information for me. The next day, I read an article in The Guardian that made me think some of my piece was trite and naive. I got some good feedback from trusted Dialogue friends regarding my confusion. And a dream this morning with more unfolding information to consider. You remind me that no conceptual formulation will ever satisfy, I need to follow my direct experience. You say: "Ultimately, life is doing us, we’re not doing it. Although paradoxically, we ARE life." All of it is included. Let it in. And, I love the story of Barry Magid giving one's ordinary name as one's spiritual name! That's perfect. Thank you.
Thank you Joan, you have a knack of reminding me that I am what I am, all of it - what I show up as in any given moment, and the timeless formless, nameless, totality.
I needed this today. Thank you. 🙏🏻
Thanks Joan
Dear Joan,
Great piece as always!
I love this: "In Zen Buddhism, there’s a lay ordination ceremony where you are given a Buddhist name that your teacher chooses for you, usually in some Asian language, and the English translation generally sounds very spiritual and exotic, something like 'Way of Joy/ Boundless Equanimity' or 'Lotus Flower/Empty Mind.' But one of my favorite Zen teachers, Barry Magid in NYC, apparently gives people their own actual, ordinary, everyday names at lay ordination. In other words, my Buddhist name would be Joan Tollifson—this very person, this vulnerable and transient, utterly unique, totally imperfect, unresolved, flawed and yet absolutely perfect, ever-changing expression of totality, THIS is who I am called to be—not Tranquility Mountain or Pure Emptiness or Lotus Flower, not Toni Packer or Tony Parsons or Nisargadatta or Darryl Bailey, but THIS particular, unique, one-of-a-kind human being, just as I actually am, moment to moment. That’s such a powerful lesson, to be yourself, to find your own mind, to be as you are, to not hide behind anyone else, parrot anyone else, or try to fit yourself into anyone else’s shoes—to be true to your own truth—in spirituality, in nonduality, in politics, in whatever realm."
Thank you for sharing!
Love
Myq
Thanks again Joan. Your words always seem to come at the right time. 🙏
Thank you. That was excellent! I asked myself: what made me read this with so many competing messages this morning? It is not because I am addicted to authority, though I am certainly not closed to experts and authorities. We are seeing the result of the rejection of expert knowledge in our society, and it is dangerous. When I was in high school, I did not rebel against the nuns for the sake of rebelling. I did, however, rebel against indoctrination by disagreeing in religion class and was called a "very bold girl." That was not a compliment from Sister. However, I do in my heart wish that somebody did know the answers to life. I would like certainty, but that is not going to happen. I am not wired to attach to authorities, but I understand why people seek them for relief of their existential anxiety. Btw, I did read Death, the End of Self-Improvement, when it was published several years ago, and I really enjoyed it. So, I am recommending to readers here who haven't read it yet.
“Being another clueless bozo on the bus” - beautiful ! That resonates with me - from where I sit there is no one driving, I have no idea where I/we/it’s going and I’m just doing my best to enjoy the ride. Or, maybe better said by Chris Smither in his great song - “I’m not a passenger, I am the ride.” Thank you Joan for writing, sharing, caring - love to you…
First off, and not in any way to demote the words, but -- WOW! -- that painting is beauteously wondrous! 'Nuff said right there.
However, on the word stuff: Amen, Sister. Not that I've reached certainty about any of this, but you seem to strike just the right balance again, between the practical necessity of being who and what we are on the one hand, and getting help from others. Even when we offload trust to an "expert," it is our apparent choiceful self that is doing so. No escape! We are what we are. Not smugly, not excluding exploration of whatever is present. Just Be! (as many experts say)
For "not a teacher," Joan, you are a big helper. ThanXXX!
I think the painting is worth more than a thousand words in expressing the inexpressible. 🤗 ❤️
Love the painting.
‘The Spruker!’
Thanks, Joan;)
A wonderful post. And so timely, given all the divisions in our country about one side being right and the other wrong. It seems cutting people off who don't agree with us has become more accepted. We are each unique and each have a place in this work and it behooves us to express our uniqueness. And find our own truths.
I totally agree. People cutting each other off over political disagreements and refusing to even listen to different perspectives is very sad. It's challenging to be open-minded and to find the love when we feel strongly and emotions are triggered, but I hope we humans can all move beyond that kind of dogmatism, polarization, confirmation bias, and lack of generosity. 🙏❤️
Beautifully written—as usual!
Hola ¡ som aquesta Vida cadascú una de distinta però només n'hi a una. amb tot hi ha amor
La confiança la insistència i la paciència son les claus del èxit
Quan ens fem grans ens tornem testaruts capficats i mandrosos però tenim la sort de tornar a una segona innocència, Raimon Panikkar.
Ah Joan, what another wonderful article that deeply resonated with me. When did you make that painting? I love it! I laughed at the image of you being another bozo on the bus, but I totally relate. I kinda like "tranquility mountain" as a name for you - just kidding. Yes, be true to my own truth, my own expression of that truth, but also see the unicity in that truth. Lovely.
Not sure exactly when I did that painting, but sometime in the last decade for sure. I play around on my iPad with an app called Art Studio. Years ago, I painted in oil and acrylic (I started college as an art major), but now I just do funny little drawings and self-portraits (like the one on the cover of Death: The End of Self-Improvement) and I play on Art Studio. This is a lot less messy. Requires no clean up, takes up no space. And it's great fun! 🤗❤️
Thank you Joan. Sitting here on terrace, enjoying the evening sun, while you are probably at your second morning cup of coffee, I thoroughly enjoy your writing. It is uplifting and grouding at the same time.
Take care 💚🙏🌿
I'm off coffee again, and I only ever had one cup in the morning when I was drinking it. But now I'm about to have my morning tea (at noon). ❤️☕️
Joan, I wrote a piece recently that felt true to me, that followed the energetic movement that flowed through my body with information for me. The next day, I read an article in The Guardian that made me think some of my piece was trite and naive. I got some good feedback from trusted Dialogue friends regarding my confusion. And a dream this morning with more unfolding information to consider. You remind me that no conceptual formulation will ever satisfy, I need to follow my direct experience. You say: "Ultimately, life is doing us, we’re not doing it. Although paradoxically, we ARE life." All of it is included. Let it in. And, I love the story of Barry Magid giving one's ordinary name as one's spiritual name! That's perfect. Thank you.
Thank you Joan, you have a knack of reminding me that I am what I am, all of it - what I show up as in any given moment, and the timeless formless, nameless, totality.
Thanks, Joan. <3
J. Krishnamurti: The Flight of the Eagle.
U.G Krishnamurti: The Courage to Stand Alone.
Dogen: Depending on No Thing, Find Your Own Mind.
It’s been said in many ways by many bright people.
I rarely see it put into practice. Very rarely.
I think that was Hui Neng, not Dogen.
You are right, Joan. Thanks.
Dogen's famous words on the subject were, “If you can't find the truth right where you are, where do you expect to find it?”