Infinite Smile Sangha

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This evening’s discussion centers around Michael’s proposal that our identification with ideas, objects, feelings, our bodies, our histories and our perceived destinies will always block any kind of stable awakening. Tweet

In this talk, Michael describes ways that our walk along the path can get difficult. But this difficulty can be met with our full heart and mind if we meet our challenges with care. Even when we miss the mark, or sin, as Michael points out, we are provided with a perfect opportunity for practicing surrender. Tweet

In this evening’s talk, Michael describes the benefits of sangha as a shortcut to uncovering our pre-existing enlightened mind. He further goes into the ways that Awakening manifests in each of us as a series of qualities that show up as being at once conscious and, at the same time, spontaneous. In other words, this talk describes how qualities of flexibility, not knowing, questioning, simplicity, the recognition of what is always prior to mind and body, surrender, patience and discipline. Additional topics include, the fallacy of conflating Buddhism with New Age practices, and getting a sense of our internal freedom we often refer to as the Witness. Tweet

Ultimately, according to Michael’s talk, given at a recent one-day retreat, there are no mistakes. There are, rather, only opportunities that the mind evaluates. If we can short-circuit this addiction to evaluation we can begin to approach the way we meet the world differently. Shifting from a position where life is filled with problematic situations into a place where we find our lives filled with situations that in all cases offer us opportunities for evolution. The talk takes place at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center and he dealves into such concepts as “No Mind,” contemporary linguistics, awareness not being the same as thought and poor zendo etiquette. Tweet

In this mashup of two talks, Michael uses the phrase from Dogen Zenji’s instructions to the cook, where he suggests that each grain of rice be handled carefully, “as if it were your own eyes.” Treating our lives this way helps us awaken to the truth that any Tathagatha, or person who actually sees reality, can embody. This embodiment is a gift. Something referred to hal in Arabic, or satori, in Zen is this very gift. But we must earn it. We do this by being open and available vessels that carry this teaching with greater potency the more we sit still. This is how we care for our practice… as if it were our own eyes. Tweet

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.

Michael McAlister's secular, non-dogmatic, and often amusing Buddhist teachings work to inspire awakening in this lifetime.

The most contagious thing this flu season is not a viral infection. Rather, the most contagious thing in any season is unconsciousness. Unfortunately, vaccines for unconsciousness are hard to come by. However, consciousness itself is in infinite supply. Tapping into this helps all of us inspire helpfulness and generosity, two critical components of any authentic awakening. In this evening’s talk, Michael talks about the parts of our experience that are effortlessly centered around opening. Michael equates awakening with the experience of riding, and purchasing, a bike. The components of any high-end bicycle, it seems, are singular and yet the style of the bike itself can vary. ___ Feel free to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Click on the player below, in order to listen to Michael McAlister’s talk. Tweet

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.

What happens when we are in the midst of disagreement?  This can apply to a marriage, a friendship, a community or (perhaps especially) a legislative debate or an election. The Buddha had some thoughts on this as noted in the famed Quarrel of Kosambi, where he offers some guidance. Engaging in the practice of right speech and right thought can do wonders, according to the teaching. The same applies to the ways in which we deal with our own practice. There are several blocks, by the way, that inhibit the openings that meditation can offer each of us as practitioners. ___ Feel free to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Click on the player below, in order to listen to Michael McAlister’s talk. Tweet

Zen-inspired spiritual teachings for those living busy 21st century lives.