April 9th, 2010 Posted in Root and Branch, Zen Writing | No Comments »
The April issue of the Root & Branch is here! Click to download a PDF of this month’s writings from the Original Root Zen Center community. Master Teacher Anton Somlai has two teaching essays and poem in this month’s issue. Here’s an excerpt from, “A timely message from your teacher”:
The Four Noble Truths starts with the first truth that this is a suffering world. We spend way too much time on that first truth and fail to see the value of the other three truths. The Four Noble Truths are really only one Super Nobel Truth that this world is a practice world. We all come here to learn how to practice and find the true teacher within. We come to this planet in order to learn important truths. Suffering only helps with the initial question, “What is this?” If there is no suffering, there is no question. If there is no question, there is no practice. If there is no practice, there is no helping from loving-kindness.
Abbot Mathew Somlai and Senior Rev. Teacher Holly Johnson are back this month with their parenting column, “Sangha kids - Teaching good crazy.” Here’s a taste:
In wisdom guidance there is no mistake, there are only opportunities for skillful means to compassionate, together action. Take a breath and realize that you just yelled, “Your poopies have a natural lifecycle that you are not allowing to be fulfilled!” and that you must find another way that does not involve what you want. You will be surprised by how much laughter, not guilt, is waiting after that breath, since your child is probably already laughing at you.
And Rev. Teacher interviewed Master Teacher Tony Somlai about the year 2012 and the possibility of the end of the world as we know it.
On some level, most people realize we’re on an unsustainable
course. Lives based on fame, fortune and money aren’t leading to happiness. Our human ingenuity has created unimaginable progress, but done little to nurture loving-kindness. It’s the outcome of a mind=based society, the Master Teacher said.
“Look around,” he said. “We’re arguing over whether we can provide health care for the poor. We can afford two wars, but we can’t afford health care for babies.”
“Thinking has taken us as far as we can go,” the Master Teacher added. “It’s the spiritual that must evolve. 2012 is a metaphor for that kind of awakening. Old traditions, religions, power, politics have all led us to this absolute chaos. The new consciousness prophesized since the beginning of time is upon us.”
All of this, plus Garden Vows from Master Teacher Linda Somlai, exciting news about ORZC’s 16th annual Women’s Retreat and lots more writing, teaching, laughs and photos from the community.
Download your issue here!
Join us as we play with words, learn how to 
The March issue of the Root & Branch, ORZC’s monthly newsletter is now available to download. This month’s issue features teaching essays by Abbot Mathew Somlai and Master Teacher Tony Somlai, an interview with Garden Master Linda Somlai, the debut of a parenting column and a “Buddhist Perspective” article about clear response to world tragedy. 
