Standing Meditation, Wuji Zhuang, Tadasana, Zhan Zhuang (Stance Keeping, Standing Post)
San Ti Shi, Embrace the One, Open Hands and Close Hands, Hold the Magic Pearl, Yi Quan,
Hugging the Tree, Bear Posture, Ecstatic Body Postures

Brief Spiritual Lessons and Koans Database Project

The Blue Cliff Record. Translated by Thomas Cleary and J. C. Cleary. Foreword by Taizan Maezumi Roshi. Boston, Shambhala, 2005. Glossary, biographies, bibliography, 648 pages. VSCL, Paperback. My First Draft Indexes for the Blue Cliff Record were prepared on 3/25/2023 using this translation and commentary.

The Garden of Flowers and Weeds: A New Translation and Commentary on the Blue Cliff Record. By Matthew Juksan Sullivan. Monkfish Pubs., 2021, 580 pages. VSCL, Hardbound. The Second Draft will make use of this text and Cleary's text. Target for release on March 20, 2024. I need more time to read the cases, study them, reflect on them, absorb them, and index them.

Blue Cliff Record - Wikipedia In the Song dynasty (960-1279) Zen flourished in China. Zen Master Xuedou Zhongxian (Jap. Setcho) (980-1052) sorted through hundreds of Yulu collections of encounter dialogues, and came up with 100 good examples, or Cases, for Zen training purposes. His compilation was called The One Hundred Odes.

Odes to a Classic Hundred Standards By Xuedou Zhongxian.

The Chinese Zen Master Yuanwu Kegin (Jap. Engo) (1063-1135) revised The One Hundred Odes. He added introductions/prefaces for each Case, added some all the recapitulation verses, added notes and added comments. After his efforts, his written document came to be titled The Blue Cliff Record, Pi Yen Lu, Hekiganroku by later users.

Blue Cliff Record - Wikipedia Directory of Commentaries for Each Case of the Blue Cliff Record. By Matthew Juksan Sullivan.

Blue Cliff Record, Online Text. Blue Cliff Record Online Bootleg

The Blue Cliff Record. Joan Sutherland and John Tarrant

The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen's Most Important Koan. Edited by James Ishmael Ford and Melissa Myozen Blacker. Foreword by John Tarrant. Wisdom Publications, 2011. 352 pages.

Directory of Commentaries for Each Case of the Blue Cliff Record. By Matthew Juksan Sullivan.

Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku) More Information

Breathing Methods Used in Meditation, Spiritual Breath Work, Breath Energy (Chi) Work

Breathing Methods, Techniques, Styles. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo.

Breathing Meditation Techniques: Pranayama, Vipassana, Counting Breaths, Mantra Chant Breathing, Zen Breathing Methods ....

Breathing Meditation Techniques: Analogy Between Yoga/Zen Breathing and Modern Clinical Respiratory Therapy. National Library of Medicine.

Breathing Methods, James Ishmael Ford, Zen Koans, pp. 53-62, The Art of Breathing.

Breathing Methods, Omori Sogen Roshi, Zen Training, pp. 47-54

Breathing Methods, Meido Moore, Hidden Zen, pp. 141-

Breathing Methods, Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing. By Thich Nhat Hanh, 2008.

Breathing Methods: Zen Practice: Body, Breath, Mind. By Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi and Bernie Glassman. Wisdom, 2002, 208 pages.

Breathing Methods, B. K. S. Iyengar, Light On Pranayama

Breathing Methods: Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore.

Breathing Methods: Gregor Maehle, Pranayama The Breath of Yoga

Breathing Methods Used in Standing Meditation. By Michael P. Garofalo

Breathing: Pranayama in Hatha Yoga - Wikipedia

Breathing: Pranayama - Web MD

Buddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living By Lama Surya Das. New York, HarperOne, 2008. 264 pages. VSCL.

Buddhism: Bibliography, Links, Resources. Notebooks of the Librarian of Gushen Grove, Valley Spirit Center, by Mike Garofalo.

Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening. By Stephen Batchelor. New York, Riverhead Books, 1997. Notes, 127 pages. ISBN: 9781573226561. VSCL.

A Buddhist Bible Edited by Dwight Goddard. New York, E. P. Dutton & Co., 1938, 1966. 677 pages. ISBN: 080705951X. VSCL, 9/1967.

Buddhist Texts Through The Ages Translated and edited by Edward Conze, I. B. Horner, David Snellgrove and Arthur Waley. Boston, Shambhala, 1990. Originally published in 1954. Index, bibliography, 323 pages. VSCL, 8/1990.

China Root: Taoism, Ch'an, and Original Zen. By David Hinton. Shambhala, 2020, 176 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Chang San-Feng, Master A Taoist Immortal. Research and Compilation by Michael P. Garofalo

Chanting, Reciting Mantras, Scripture Recitation, Singing, Reciting, Kirtan

Chanting, Reciting Scriptures Out Loud, Singing Sacred Songs, Chanting Practices
Magical Incantations, Repetition of Spiritual Phrases (Dharanis, Mantras, Prayers)

Sutras for Daily Recitation/Chanting

Chanting the Heart Sutra by Tom Van Dijk (UTube) Very Low Tone/Key in Japanese.

I really enjoy listening to and following along singing with the beautiful Yogic Chanting of Krishna Das, Deva Premal,
Sheila Chandra, Jai Uttal, and others. I purchased a number of their MP3s over the years.

Chanting the Heart Sutra in English

Chanting the Heart Sutra - English Text

Chanting Booklets- No-Rank Rinzai Zendo, Portland WA

Chi Kung, Enegy Exercises, Qigong, Asanas, Gong Fu, Nei-gong, Rinzai Nikan, Body-Mind Somatic Work SEE Qigong

The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World. By Barbara O'Brien. Shambhala, 2019, 328 pages.

Cloud Dragon: The Joan Sutherland Dharma Works Overall, an excellent website. Many video files, PDF files, audio files, scriptures, documents, and webpages. The many useful resources are well organized. Ms. Sutherland is a clear writer, engaging speaker, and insightful Buddhist teacher. Her Koan instructions, commentaries, documents, and indexes are quite useful for beginners and seasoned travelers. Many links to related resources and good bibliographies.

Cloud Hands Blog. By Mike Garofalo. Online since 2005. A blog with reflections, notes, suggestions, bibliographies, references, questions and answers, links and quotations about Gardening, Mysticism, Walking, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Yoga and The Eight Ways.
Posts regarding The Goddess, Tara, Tantra, Yoga and Buddhism.

Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qi Gong

Complete Poison Blossoms from a Thicket of Thorns: The Zen Records of Hakuin Ekaku. By Hakuin Ekaku Zengi. Translated with commentary by Norman Waddell. Counterpoint, 2017, 752 pages.

Creative Activities, Artistic Endeavors, Artistic Creations, Doing Art:

Calligraphy, Painting, Music, Landscape Gardening, Pottery, Metalworking
Tea Ceremony, Dance, Bonsai, Theatre, Photography, Gardening, Samu-Work
Flower Arranging, Sculpting, Singing, Magic Tricks, String Firgures, Weaving
Craftmanship, Sporting Skills, Lecturing, Writing, Martial Arts Budo, Archery

Painters: Kim Ivy in Seattle, Kazuaki Tanahashi in San Francisco
Photographers: John Daido Loori Roshi in New York
Gardening:
Martial Arts: Trevor Leggett, Omori Sogen, Yang Jwing-Ming, George Leonard, Robert Moore
Archery:
Chi Kung, Neigong, Qigong: Tom Bisio, Ken Cohen
Tea Ceremony:
Calligraphy: Kazuaki Tanahashi in San Francisco

The Creative Act: A Way of Being. By Rick Rubin. Penguin, 2023, 432 pages.

Critique of Buddhist Thought and Practices, New Criticism

Chan Insights and Oversights: An Epistemological Critique fo the Chan Tradition. By Bernard Faure. Princeton University Press, 1993, index, bibliography, notes, 322 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/Zen Buddhism. By Bernard Faure. Princeton UP, 1991, index, bibliography, notes, 420 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Other Critics: Arthur Koestler, Rene Etiemble, Steven Heine.

Cuttings Selected short poems by Michael P. Garofalo. Zen influenced Haiku and Senryu.

Daily Buddhist Practice Guide: How to Practice Buddhism at Home and in Everyday Life. By Alan Peto. 170 pages, 2022. VSCL, Paperback.

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Edited and commentary by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. Portfolio, 2016, 416 pages. Quotations by Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelious and others. Insightful commentary by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo in the BSL/Koans Database. VSCL, Hardback.

Dao De Jing, by Laozi, Selected Translations (English, Spanish, Chinese), Index, Concordance, Bibliography.

Compiled and Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. The Best Tao Te Ching Website on the Internet!

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes over 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 6 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.

Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.

Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter. Not much Zen is in the Daodejing, or in common religious Taoism in China, except maybe hints of a doctrine of emptiness producing the Ten Thousand Things.

Deshimaru, Taisen Roshi (1914-1982) Soto Zen Master in Japan and Europe. Influencial teacher. Books

Each Moment is the Universe: Zen and the Way of Being Time. By Dainin Katagiri. Shambhala, 2008, 256 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path By Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2001. Index, reading list, 268 pages. ISBN: 0861711769. VSCL, 6/2005. A thorough explanation of Right or Skillful Understanding, Thinking, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration.

The Embossed Tea Kettle: Orate Gama and Other Works of Hakuin Zenji. By Hakuin Ekaku. Edited by Diana St. Ruth. Translated by R.D.M. Shaw D.D.. Foreword by David Friedman. 2021, 240 pages.

Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore.

Embodied Zen, Internal Energetic Cultivation, Good Body-Mind Zen Practices, Eating Wells:
Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore.
See Qigong, Walking, Breathing Methods

Energy Exercises, Chi Kung, Qigong, Asanas, Gong Fu, Nei-gong, Rinzai Nikan, Diets, Body-Mind Somatic Work
SEE Qigong, Walking, Breathig, Nutrition-Eating-Diets-Food

Entangling Vines 272 Koans Collection ENT

Entangling Vines: A Classic Collection of Zen Koans. Translated and annotated by Thomas Yūhō Kirchner. Foreword by Nelson Foster. Introduction by Ueda Shizuteru. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2013. Index, bibliography, charts, 338 pages. ISBN: 9781614290773. A collection of 272 koans by Japanese Rinzai Zen masters and scholars called the Shūmon kattōshŭ (Entangling Vines) dating from 1689. Invaluable and unique biographies of the Teacher/Authors of all the Koans in the Entangling Vines Collection. Extensive and detailed index on pages 312-338. Bibliography on pp. 304-312. Charts of the names or Teacher/Persons using Pinyin Romanization of Mandarin Chinese, Wade-Giles Romanization of Mandarin Chinese, and Romanization of Japanese, and Chinese characters for all indexes. Detailed and interesting notes by Kircher for most of the 272 Koans. VSCL, Kindle E-Book and Paperback.

Subject Index to Cases in the Entangling Vines 272 Koans Collection. Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft, June 15, 2023, PDF, 58 pages.

Alphabetical List of Cases in the Entangling Vines Koans Collection. Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft, June 15, 2023, PDF, 10 pages.

Case Number Order - Entangling Vines 272 Koans Collection. Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft, June 15, 2023, PDF, 10 pages.

Essays in Zen Buddhism, First Series By D. T. Suzuki, 1870-1966. Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki. Foreword by Christmas Humphreys. York Beach, Maine, Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1950, 1985. Index, 388 pages. ISBN: 0877285861. VSCL. Essays on Enlightenment, Zen history, Satori, practical methods, meditation hall, and the Ten Ox Herding Pictures.

Essays in Zen Buddhism: Second Series By D. T. Suzuki, 1870-1966. Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki. Foreword by Christmas Humphreys. York Beach, Maine, Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1953, 1985. Index, 367 pages. ISBN: 0877280754. VSCL. Essays on koans, Bodhidhama, and passivity in Buddhist life.

Essays in Zen Buddhism: Third Series By D. T. Suzuki, 1870-1966. Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki. Foreword by Christmas Humphreys. York Beach, Maine, Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1953, 1985. Index, 396 pages. ISBN: 0877280762. VSCL. Essays on Chinese Zen, Bodhisattva ideal, and the Prajnaparamita.

The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin Translated by Norman Waddell. Shambhala Dragon Edtion. A translation of Sokkō-roku Kaien-fusetsu. Boston, Shambhala, 1994. Notes, index, 137 pages. ISBN: 0877739722. Hakuin was a painter, calligrapher, and Zen master who lived from 1686-1769. VSCL, Paperback.

Exercises, Chi Kung, Enegy Exercises, Qigong, Asanas, Gong Fu, Nei-gong, Rinzai Nikan, Body-Mind Somatic Work SEE Qigong or Walking

Ethics

Ethics, Precepts, Paramitas, Morals, Social Values
Rules for Behavior, Buddhist/Daoist Ethic Views

Buddhist Ethical Philosophy. By Michael P. Garofalo. Includes Bibliography, Quotes, Resources, Links.

Buddhism: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Information

Buddhist Ethics. By Venerable Hammalawa Saddhatissa. Wisdom, 1977, index, notes, 224 pages. Introduction by Charles Hallisey.

Buddhist Ethics Books

Buddhist Ethics Simplified: Do All Good, Avoid Evil, Purify the Mind, Wake Up. (Koan: ENT N 215)

Buddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living By Lama Surya Das. New York, HarperOne, 2008. 264 pages.

Dhammapada Sutta

Eightfold Path of the Buddha Books.

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Jukai: Buddhist Initiation Ceremony. Affirming the Precepts.

Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Sharon Salzberg and John Kabat-Zinn. Shambhala, 1997, 208 pages.

The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. North Point, 224 pages, 1984. VSCL, Paperback.

Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts. By Nancy Mujo Baker. Shambhalla, 272 pages, 2023.

Paramitas. By Michael P. Garofalo. Includes Bibliography, Quotes, Resources, Links.

The Practice of Perfection: The Paramitas from a Zen Buddhist Perspective. By Robert Aitken. Counterpoint, 1997, 226 pages.

Precepts as Path. By Kyogen Carlson. Dharma Rain Zen Center, Portland, Oregon.

Precepts: Ethical Behavior. Ethics Policy. No-Rank Zendo, Portland, Oregon.

Precepts. By Michael P. Garofalo. Includes Bibliography, Quotes, Resources, Links.

Virtues and the Good Life. Virtue Ethics. Positive Psychology.

Yamas and Niyamas. By Michael P. Garofalo. Includes Bibliography, Quotes, Resources, Links

The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism

Right Understanding
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

- Noble Eightfold Path, Wikipedia

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Everyday Zen: Love and Work. By Charlotte Joko Beck. Harper, 2007, 240 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

Fireplaces, Kitchens, Stoves, Campfires, Ovens, Pots, Kettles, Wood, BBQ
Literary reflections and flashes of insight around the fireplace, stove, kitchen, cooking
Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo

"Around the Fireplace there is no talk of Guest or Host." (Entangling Vines Koans, #219)

Friendship: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon. By James Norbury. Mandala, 2021, 160 pages. FVRL.

Gardening, Gardens, Gardening as a Spiritual Path, Inter-Being, Five Elements, Nature and Spirituality, Ecology, Food

Gardening: The Spirit of Gardening

Gardening: The Months of the Year

Gardening at the Dragon's Gate: At Work in the Wild and Cultivated World. By Wendy Johnson. Bantam, 2008, 464 pages.

Japanese Zen Gardens. By Yoko Kawaguchi. Francis Lincoln Pubs., 2014, 208 pages. Outstanding photographs by Alex Ramsey. FVRL.

Gardening: Mindfulness in the Garden: Zen Tools for Digging in the Dirt. By Zachiah Murray and Jason DeAntonis. Parallax, 2012, 160 pages.

Gardening: The Sound of Cherry Blossoms: Zen Lessons from the Garden on Contemplative Design. By Martin Hakubai Mosko and Alxe Noden. Shambhala, 2018, 160 pages.

Michael P. Garofalo, 1945-

Brief Biography Extended Biography Philosopher, Librarian, Web Publisher, Indexer, Researcher.

I have found books by these authors to be very relevant to the topics of this webpage: Meido Moore, Omori Sogen, Deng Ming-Dao, D.T. Suzuki, Alan Watts, and Koan Collections. Also, books by Julian Daizan Skinner, Eva Wong, Kenneth Cohen, Yang Jwing-Ming, Michael Mayer, Robert Aitken, Thomas Cleary, and others.

I taught yoga, taijiquan, and qigong from 1998-2018. I earned a B.A. with Honors in Philosophy in 1967. The contents of this webpage are based on what I understand, correctly or incorrectly, to be in the "traditions" of Daoism and Zen Buddhism. It is based on my documented lifetime of practices and studies in the subjects of Buddhism, Taoism, Yoga, Somatics, Comparative Religions, Neo-Pagan Druidry, Spirituality, Mysticism, and Western Philosophy.

I have never been an active member of a Rinzai or Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Church, or Buddhist organization.
I don't take refuge in a Buddha-God, a Buddhist Church Sangha Group, or many Buddhist Theological/Metaphysical/Dharma Religious Doctrines.
I have donated to and financially supported various Taoist and Buddhist teachers and organizations in the past by reading their Books.
Have never been an active member of a Taoist Temple or Church.
I am suspicious of Guru-Priest/student methods of teaching and submission.
Since 1964, I've have never been a member of any Christian Church.
[I was educated in Catholic Schools from the 1st to 12th Grades; however, I don't resonate at all with most Jewish-Christian-Islamic religious beliefs, historical myths, 'revealed' scriptures, and practices. I just don't believe in Christian doctrines.]

I'm mainly a follower of the eclectic "Zen Sword Brush" or "Scholar Sage Qigong Master" or "Philosophy, Somatics, Arts, Ethics, Mysticism" Solitary style of Zen-Daoist-Druid-Philosopher traditions, views, and practices. I've lived spiritually/philosophically as a Solitary, a Loner, an Outsider, an Eclectic, an independent spiritual seeker, a quirky hijiri (freelance holy man, sage, wise person).

Socially, I follow How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons. Basically, I'm a Philosopher!

(A bit too much of "I have ..."!) But, pertinent to my "qualifications" to speak on these topics - even as an Solitary and Outsider.

Michael P. Garofalo's Cloud Hands Blog

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Green Way Research - Subject Index. The many hypertext notebooks of Michael P. Garofalo. 1998-2023

Gateless Gate, Gateless Barrier (Wumenquan, Mumonkan) GB
Compiled around 1250 CE. 48 Koans GB

Subject Index for the 48 Koan Cases in the Gateless Barrier (GB).
Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft, March 25, 2023, 9 pages, PDF.

Alphabetical List of the 48 Case Titles in the Gateless Barrier (GB)
Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft, March 25, 2023, 2 pages, PDF.

List of Cases by the 48 Case Numbers for the Gateless Barrier (GB)
Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft on March 25, 2023, 2 pages, PDF.

Brief Spiritual Lessons and Koans Database Project

The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans Commentary and translation by Koun Yamada. Foreword by Ruben L. F. Habito. Wisdom Publications, 2004. 336 pages. ISBN: 9780861713820. "In The Gateless Gate, one of modern Zen Buddhism's uniquely influential masters offers classic commentaries on the Mumonkan, one of Zen's greatest collections of teaching stories. This translation was compiled with the Western reader in mind, and includes Koan Yamada's clear and penetrating comments on each case. Yamada played a seminal role in bringing Zen Buddhism to the West from Japan, going on to be the head of the Sanbo Kyodan Zen Community."
VSCL, Paperback. I studied this book to prepare the First Draft (March 25, 2023) of indexing for the Gateless Gate Koan Collection.
Indexing stored in the GB database (GB = Gateless Barrier or Gateless Gate).

The Gateless Barrier: Zen Comments on the Mumonkan. By Zenkai Shibayama. Shibayama Roshi (1894-1974). Translated by Sumiko Kudo. Introduction by Shibayama Roshi. Preface by Kenneth W. Morgan, Colgate University. Boston, Shambhala, 2000. Glossary, index, 361 pages. ISBN: 9781570627262. "For more than seven centuries the Mumonkan (Gateless Barrier) has been used in Zen monasteries to train monks and to encourage the religious development of lay Buddhists. It contains forty- eight koans, or spiritual riddles, that must be explored during the course of Zen training. Shibayama Zenkei (1894-1974), an influential Japanese Zen teacher and calligrapher who traveled and lectured throughout the United States in the 60s and 70s, offers his own commentary alongside the classic text. The Gateless Barrier remains an essential text for all serious students of Buddhism." These lectures (Teisho) on the Gateless Barrier were given at Colgate University in 1974.
VSCL, Paperback. I studied this book to prepare the Second Draft of indexing for the Gateless Gate. Second Draft expected in March, 2024.

The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan). Translated with commentary by Robert Aitken. North Point Press, 1991, 325 pages. Bibliography, Notes, Glossary, Chinese-Japanese Name Lists. "The Gateless Barrier is generally acknowledged to be the fundamental koan collection in the literature of Zen. Gathered together by Wu-men (Mumon), a thirteenth-century master of the Lin-chi (Rinzai) school, it is composed of forty-eight koans, or cases, each accompanied by a brief comment and poem by Wu-men. Robert Aitken (1971-2010), one of the premier American Zen masters, has translated Wu-men's text, supplementing the original with his own commentary -- the first such commentary by a Western master -- making the profound truths of Zen Buddhism accessible to serious contemporary students and relevant to current social concerns." VSCL, Paperback.

Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) Zen Master Author Calligrapher Painter

Complete Poison Blossoms from a Thicket of Thorns: The Zen Records of Hakuin Ekaku. By Hakuin Ekaku Zengi. Translated with commentary by Norman Waddell. Counterpoint, 2017, 752 pages.

Hakuin Ekaku Books at Amazon

Hakuin on Kensho: The Four Ways of Knowing. Edited by Albert Low. Shambhala, 2006, 144 pages.

The Undying Lamp of Zen: The Testament of Zen Master Torei. By Torei Enji (1721-1792). Translated and edited by Thomas Cleary. Shambhala, 2010, 144 pages. Torei Enji was an certified Dharma Heir of Hakuin Ekaku. VSCL, Paperback.

Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin. Translated by Norman Waddell. Boston, Shambhala, 2001. Index, bibliography, extensive notes, 177 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Zen Paintings in Edo Japan (1600-1868): Playfulness and Freedom in the Artwork of Hakuin Ekaku and Sengai Gibon. By Galit Aviman. Routledge, 2018, 180 pages.

Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore. Shambhala, 2020, 320 pages. Notes, glossary. VSCL, Paperback.

Hojo Is a Rinzai Zen martial arts routine, performed with a sword, cane, stick, jo, or staff. Some carefull sparring/competition between skilled practitioners is often played out. Strenuous physical activities are often recommended by Rinzai Zen Masters were appropriate for the student's body-mind (psycho-physical) needs. The Hojo may be hightly ritualized. My own Hojo practices are documented at my Cloud Hands Website.

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Indexing: A Handbook of Indexing Techniques: A Guide for Beginning Indexers. By Linda K. Fetters. Information Today, 2013, 176 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Indexing and Databases by Michael P. Garofalo of Zen Buddhist Koans and Brief Taoist Lessons

Keys to Collections of BSL/Koans Databases List of Taoist and Buddhist Books and Koan Collections indexed by Michael P. Garofalo.

Internal Martial Arts Training: Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing I, Bagua Zhang

Internal Energetic Cultivation, Embodied Zen, Good Body-Mind Zen Practices, Eating Wells:
Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore.
See Qigong, Walking, Breathing Methods

Introduction to Zen Buddhism. By D. T. Suzuki. Foreword by Carl Jung. Grove Press, 1994, 144 pages.

Introduction to Zen Training (SOG)

Subject Index to Introduction to Zen Training (SOG)

Introduction to Zen Training: A Physical Approach to Meditation and Mind-Body Training. By Omori Sogen. Foreword by Sayama Daian and Michael Kangen. Introduction by Trevor Leggett. Omori Sogen Totaishi (1904-1994). Tuttle, 1996, 2020. Index, glossary, lineage charts, 265 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Omori Sogen (1904-1994) Japanese Rinzai Master (1904-1994) was a Japanese Rinzai Rōshi, a successor in the Tenryū-ji line of Rinzai Zen, and former president of Hanazono University, the Rinzai university in Kyoto, Japan. He became a priest in 1945. Ōmori Sōgen was a teacher of Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū swordsmanship, and a calligrapher in the Taishi school of Yamaoka Tesshū. He became well known for his unique approach to Zen practice integrating insights from his martial and fine arts training with traditional Zen methods; this approach has been described as a unity of Zen, Ken ("sword", referring to martial arts or physical culture), and Sho ("brush", referring to calligraphy or fine arts). He was a Japanese right-wing ultra-nationalist before World War II. Unfortunately, he had a serious stroke and was in a coma for two years before he died.

Omori Sogen: Zen Ken Sho (Zazen Practice, Body-Mind Physical Disciplines, and Artistic Creativity)

One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment. By Kenneth Kushner, and Jackson Morisawa. Tuttle, 2000, 128 pages.

Japanese Zen Buddhist Philosophy - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Hakuin Self Portrait

Kamakura Koans (ZWAY)

Text Authority: Zen and the Ways. By Trevor Leggett. Tuttlle, 1978, 1989, 1993, 258 pages. 30 Koans. Shononkattoruku Koans.

Subject Index

Case Title Index

Alphabetical List of Cases

Kensho or Satori Awakened, Enlightened, Realizing True Self

Kensho Hakuin on Kensho: The Four Ways of Knowing. Edited by Albert Low. Shambhala, 2006, 144 pages.

Koan Practice in Rinzai Zen Schools

Koans, Gongans, Wise Encounters, Dialogues, Mondos, Lessons, Zen Questions and Answers

Introspecting, Studying, Discussing, Collecting, Preserving, and Reflecting on Koans is important in the Rinzai Zen School of Practices.
Daoists don't use koan introspection; however, the Canon of Taoist Scriptures includes nearly 1,500 Scriptures for study.

Subject Index to 1,001 Zen Buddhist Koans

Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo
Seventh Version, May 31, 2023, PDF, 200 pages. Updated Monthly.
Green Way Research, Vancouver, Washington

Blue Cliff Record 100 Koans (BCR)
Book of Serenity/Equanimity 100 Koans (BOS)
Daily Stoic 366 Lessons Philosophy (STOA)
Dogen's Shinji Mana Shobogenzo 300 Koans (DSMS)
Entangling Vines 272 Koans (ENT)
Fireplace Records 25 Lessons (TFR)
Flock of Fools: Parable Sutra 98 Koans (OHPS)
Gateless Gate 48 Koans (GB)
Iron Flute 100 Koans (IF)
Kamakura Zen 40 Koans (ZWAY)
Opening A Mountain 60 Koans (OM)
Philosopher's Garden of Insights (PG)
Record of Empty Hall 100 Koans (REH)
Record of Linji 40 Koans (LIN)
Rinzai Zen Buddhism Notes (RINZ, SOG)
Samurai Zen 100 Koans (SAM)
Tao Te Ching Daodejing 81 Lessons (DDJ)
Transmission of Light: Keizan 53 Biographies (TOL)
Zen Echoes 43 Koans (ZE)

Koans Database Project Information:
https://www.egreenway.com/buddhism/koans.htm

Koans Database Project Expected Completion 5/30/2024

Koan Database Project: Indexes to Koan Collections

Acequias & Gates: Miscellaneous Koans and Miscellaneous Writings on Koans. By Joan Sutherland.

Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life. By John Tarrant. Boston, Shambhala, 2008. Notes, 192 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

The Flowing Bridge: Guidance on Beginning Zen Koans. By Elaine MacInnes. Edited by Patrick Gallagher. Foreword by Ruben L. F. Habito. Sommerville, Massachusetts, Wisdom Publications, 2007. 160 pages. ISBN: 9780861715459. "Elaine MacIness, a Catholic nun and a Zen teacher in the lineage of the renowned master Koun Yamada (author of Wisdom's The Gateless Gate), offers exceptionally valuable guidance to beginners on how to work with koans-and reveals an uncommon depth of insight and an easy technical mastery of Zen's most misunderstood and most powerful tools.

Introduction to Zen Koans: Learning the Language of Dragons. By James Ishmael Ford. Foreword by Joan Halifax. Wisdom, 2018, 250 pages, bibliography, index. VSCL, Paperback.

"In studying a koan two approaches are possible: one is for the student to take it up as the subject of scholastic or philosophical research, and another is to do zazen with it as a means of training. The philosophical or dogmatic studies of koan are of secondary significance because the standpoint of such studies is fundamentally different from that of true Zen training, in which the only aim is to experience and live the real working spirit of Zen."
- Zenki Shibayama, The Gateless Barrier

Kinhin: Walking Meditation: Kinhin, kyōgyō Refer to 'Walking" below.

Koans Database Project 14 Koan Collections Researched, Analyzed, and Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo.

Keys to Collections of BSL/Koans Databases List of Taaoist and Buddhist Books Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo.

Koans - A Reading List. By Joan Sutherland. A good bibliography on Koan studies and practices.

Nothing Is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans. By Barry Magid. Wisdom Publications, 2013, 232 pages.

Sitting with Koans: Essential Writings on Zen Koan Introspection. Edited by John Daido Loori. Introduction by Tom Kirchner. Wisdom Publications, 2005, 368 pages. VSCL - Used paperback.

The Sound of One Hand: 281 Zen Koans with Answers. Translation and commentary by Yoel Hoffmann. Introduction by Dror Burstein. NRYB, 2016, s304 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

The Sound of One Hand: 281 Zen Koans with Answers. Translation and commentary by Yoel Hoffmann. PDF free online file.

Stone and Sand Collection of Koans. From Zen Master Muju from 1275 CE.

Straight to the Heart of Zen: Eleven Classic Koans and Their Inner Meanings. By Philip Kapleau. Boston, Shambhala, 2001. 192 pages. ISBN: 9781570625930.

Through Forests of Every Color: Awakening with Koans. By Joan Sutherland. Shambhala, 2022, 208 pages. VSCL, Paperbound.

Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings. By Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki. Tuttle Publishing, Flaps edition, 1957, 1985, and 1998. First published in 1957. 211 pages. ISBN: 9780804831864. In 1961, this was the first book about Zen that I had ever read, and it greatly impressed and influenced me. The Gateless Gate (Mumonkan) was transcribed by Nyogen Senzaki (1876–1958) and Paul Reps (1895–1990) in 1934, and appeared in in "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, 1958" pp. 109-161. VSCL, hardbound and paperback.

The Zen Koan: Its History and Use in Rinzai Zen. By Isshu Miura and Ruth Fuller Sasaki. Harper Perennial, 1966, 176 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Libraries

VSCL The Personal Home Library of Michael P. Garofalo in Vancouver, Washington. Lots of old used books; from 1960-2023.

FVRL The Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, Vancouver, Washington. I use two of their Community Libraries: Cascade and Salmon Creek.

Bookstores: Powell's Books in Downtown Portland (the largest independent bookstore on the West Coast of the USA. And, Amazon Books.

Linji (800-866 CE) Rinzai Zen Buddhist Master and Reformer

Linji, Lin-chi I-hsuan, Linji Yixuan, Rinzai Gigen (800-866 CE) Zen Master in China

Linji School, Rinzai Zen Buddhist School

Linji Information - New World Encyclopedia

Linji Rinzai Zen School (Linji, Lin-chi I-hsuan, Linji Yiuan, Rinzai Gigen)

Portrait of Linji (Rinzai Gigen)

Record of Linji (LIN)

The Record of Linji. Edited by Thomas Yuho Kirchner. Translation and commentary by Ruth Fuller Sasaki. Nazan Library of Asian Religion and Culrture #20. Linji Yixuan (died 866 CE). University of Hawaii Press, 2009, 485 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Numerical List of 40 Cases in The Record of Linji (LIN). First Draft, November 30, 2023, PDF.

Alphabetical List of the 40 Cases in The Record of Linji (LIN). First Draft, November 30, 2023, PDF.

Subject Index for the 100 Cases in The Record of Linji (LIN). Includes Rinzai Zen Information. First Draft, November 30, 2023, PDF.

The Record of Linji: A New Translation of the Linjilu in the Light of Ten Japanese Commentaries. Bilingual Edition. Translated by Elise Yoko Watanabe and Jeffrey L. Broughton. Oxford, 2012, 316 pages.

Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown. By Deborah Eden Tull. Shambhala, 2022, 240 pages.

How to Live the Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Manual of Zen Buddhism By Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. New York, Grove Press, 1960. Index, B&W illustrations, 192 pages. VSCL, 3/1965. I still have my well worn copy purchased in 1965.

Meditation, Dhyana, Sitting and Foregetting, Silent Illumination, Shiatanza, Zazen, Padmasana, Vipasana SEE Sitting

Practical Zen: Meditation and Beyond. By Julian Daizan Skinner. Singing Dragon, 2017, 256 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Standing Meditation SEE ALSO Sitting Meditation, Breathing, Chanting, Koan Introspection, Samadhi, Standing Meditation, Walking Meditation

Meditation - General

Meditation and Breathing

Meditation and Walking

Meditation Methods and Techniques

Meditation Quotations

Meditation - Sitting, Seated

Meditation - Standing

Standing Meditation, Wuji Zhuang, Tadasana, Zhan Zhuang (Stance Keeping, Standing Post)
San Ti Shi, Embrace the One, Open Hands and Close Hands, Hold the Magic Pearl, Yi Quan,
Hugging the Tree, Bear Posture, Ecstatic Body Postures

Meditation - Standing Like A Tree

Meditation - Standing - General

Meditation - Wu Ji - The Edge of Emptiness

Meditation Posture - Standing. By Michael P. Garofalo

Secrets to Living Younger Longer: The Self-Healing Path of Qigong, Standing Meditation, and Tai Chi. By Michael Mayer.

Standing Meditation SEE ALSO Sitting Meditation, Breathing, Chanting, Koan Introspection, Samadhi, Standing Meditation, Walking Meditation

Music Making, Playing a Musical Instrument, Music and Spirituality, Listening to Music. I enjoy playing a harmonica.

Mysticim: Nature Mysticism. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo.

"1. Ineffability (inability to capture the experience in ordinary language).
2. Noetic quality (the notion that mystical experiences reveal an otherwise hidden or inaccessible knowledge).
3. Transiency (the simple fact that mystical experiences last for a relatively brief period of time).
4. Passivity (the sense that mystical experiences happen to someone; that they are somehow beyond the range of human volition and control).
5. Unity of opposites (a sense of Oneness, Wholeness or Completeness).
6. Timelessness (a sense that mystical experiences transcend time).
7. A feeling that one has somehow encountered “the true self” (a sense that mystical experiences reveal the nature of our true, cosmic self: one that is beyond life and death, beyond difference and duality, and beyond ego and selfishness)."
- Drawing on his personal experiences and research into mysticism, Douglas W. Shrader writes in 2008 about the "Seven Characteriestis of Mystical Experiences."

Mysticism: Reading List

Mysticism - Wikipedia

Mysticism: The Preeminent Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. By Evelyn Underhill, 1911, 541 pages.

Zen Naikan: The Ancient Energy Alchemy of the Rinzai Zen Monks. Including 21 Traditional Exercises. By Leonardo Anfolsi. Fontana, 2018, 263 pages.

Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection. By Gregg Krech. Kindle E-Book, 212 pages, 2022. VSCL.

Nature Mysticism. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo.

No-Rank Zendo in Portland, Oregon. Rinzai Zen Sangha. Temple/Church facility. Plus, an Online Zendo with many Zoom options. Many Recorded Lectures on MP3 format, downloadable. Led by Mark Rinzan Pechovnik Osho, a dharma heir of Genjo Marinello Roshi of Seattle. A variety of social and community improvement efforts and activities.

Omori Sogen: Zen Ken Sho (Zazen Practice, Body-Mind Physical Disciplines, and Artistic Creativity)

One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment. By Kenneth Kushner, and Jackson Morisawa. Tuttle, 2000, 128 pages.

Personal Experiences and Spiritual Practices of Michael P. Garofalo:

My first Zen Teacher in 1986 was Robert Moore, Ph.D. He taught music at the University of Southern California. He studied with the Korean Zen Master Seung Shan Roshi and became a certified Roshi himself. We met with Shifu Moore twice a week at the Aikido Ai Dojo in Whittier, California. Frank McGourick, a high ranking Dan, owned the Dojo and taught Aikido, Tai Chi Chuan (Yang 24 & 48), Qigong, and some Zen. Dr. Moore taught Tai Chi Chuan (Liu Ho Ba Fa and Yang), Taoist Qigong sets, and Zen Meditation. The Dojo had a small meditation room in the back. I studied there from 1986-1990. I studied Shaolin Kung Fu from 1991-1993. We cared daily for my ailing parents until their deaths in 1997. We moved from Los Angeles to Red Bluff, California, in 1998, to a 5 acre homestad to eperience rural living. I became a web publisher in 1998. I also taught both Hatha Yoga (3 classes) and Taijiquan (3 classes) each week in Red Bluff from 2002-2017. I was employed for 51 years as a librarian, library manager-administrator, grant writer and manager, or district librarian for city libraries, county libraries, and school libraries. I retired in 2017 at age 70. My Cloud Hands Blog shows my current daily interests, activities, spiritual and thinking directions. I am more of a solo practitioner, and have never been a Church/Temple group participant.

Since 1970, I have been drawn to and engaged in many Taoist/Zen/Yoga/Stoic/Philosophy Practices and Studies that:

Integrate academic and scriptural studies in Philosophy, Taoism, Buddhism, Zen, Neo-Pagan Druidry, and Yoga.
Respects and utilize Western philosophy, medicine, education, and science.
Encourages Quiet Sitting, Observing Nature, Contemplation, Stillness, Meditation Methods.
Encourages Body-Mind Performance Disciplines as part of a Spiritual Practice, e.g, Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, Walking, Gardening, Yoga Asanas.
Encourages Artistic Creativity, Sensitivity, and Appreciation of Beauty.
Uses the skills of a good qualified teacher when he/she becomes willing and ready to guide me along the Way, mostly by reading.
Does not require me to drive either too far or too often to participate in religous or philosophical meetings. Environmental responsibility!
Makes use of books and online resources (videos, recorded lectures, Zoom meetings, websites, and email communications.)
Makes use of a solo monthly Spiritual Retreat.
Provides householders, employed persons, family members, and community activists with options for more spiritual involvement.
Are inclusive, open-minded, tolerant, friendly, peaceful, positive, respectful, diligent, helpful, knowledgeable, and wise.
Help me cope with the physical and mental challenges of aging at the age of 77 in 2023.
Emphasize living a decent, honorable, ethical, kind, truthful, and charitable life, e.g., Precepts, Yamas-Niyamas, Ethics, Lifestyle Guides, Morals.
Encourage Gardening, Good Nutrition, Environmental Responsibility, Deep Ecology, Interbeing Philosophy, Right Living.
Share my knowledge via web publishing, blogging, and discussions. Find ways to contribute good thoughts to others.

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo. Hundreds of quotes and advice.

Poetry, Poets, Poetry and Buddhism, Zen Poetry, Haiku

The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry: From Ancient to Contemporary, The Full 3,000 Year Old Tradition. Edited and translations by Tony Barnstone and Chou Ping. Anchor, 2005, 521 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Beneath a Single Moon: Buddhism in Contemporary American Poetry. Edited by Kent Johnson and Craig Paulenich. Introduction by Gary Snyder. Shambhala, 1991, 331 pages. Includes short essays and poetry by Diane de Prima, Norman Fischer, Nelson Foster, Sam Hamill, Alan Ginsberg, Jane Hirshfield, Lucien Stryk, Gary Snyder, Anne Waldman, and others. VSCL, Paperback.

Books About Zen Poetry

Fewer, Better Things: The Hidden Wisdom of Objects. By Glenn Adamson. Bloomsbury Pubs, 2018, 237 pages. FVRL.

Japanese Aesthetic Terms: Wabi-Sabi, Yugen. SEE ALSO Aesthetics.
Characteristics: Impermenence, transience, changing nature, simple, old and unique things, passing, imperfect, delicate; profound, obscure, sober, stoical; talk about the Arts by master craftsmen, poets, painters, calligraphers, and Zen masters.

Haiku and Zen Poetry

The Penguin Book of English Verse. Edited by P. J. Keegan and Paul Keegan. Penguin Classic, New Edition, 2004, 1,188 pages. VSCL, Kindle E-book.

A Poets Guide to Poetry. By Mary Kinzie. University of Chicago, 1999, index, credits, 561 pages. Ways to improve your reading, study, and writing of poetry. A detailed and challenging college textbook. VSCL, Paperback.

The Poetry of Michael P. Garofalo Pacific Coast 101 Revisited Concrete Poetry Months of Haiku

The Poetry of Zen. Translated by Sam Hamill and J.P. Seaton. Shambhala, 2007, 208 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter. Translated and commentary by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto. Grove Press, 1995, 124 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Practical Zen: Meditation and Beyond. By Julian Daizan Skinner. Singing Dragon, 2017, 256 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Precepts, Morals, Ethica Behavior, Buddhist Ethics SEE Ethics

Qigong

Qigong, Chi Kung, Neigong, Energy Exercises, Gong Fu, Calisthenics, Exercies, Rinzai Nikan, Dao Yin
Internal Energetic Cultivation, Embodied Zen , Somatic Methods, Hatha Yoga, Daoist Health Practices

Qigong, Neigong, Exercise, Inner Work, Yoga Training

Qigong: Bibliography, Links, Resources. Compiled by Michael Garofalo.

The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. By Kenneth S. Cohen. Foreword by Larry Dossey. New York Ballantine Books, 1997. Index, notes, appendices, 427 pages. One of my favorite books: comprehensive, informative, practical, and scientific. VSCL, Paperback.

Qigong: Zen Naikan: The Ancient Energy Alchemy of the Rinzai Zen Monks. Including 21 Traditional Exercises. By Leonardo Anfolsi. Fontana, 2018, 263 pages.

Qigong (Chi Kung) SEE ALSO Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), Breathing, Walking, Standing

Embodied Zen, Internal Energetic Cultivation, Good Body-Mind Zen Practices, Eating Well: Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realization. By Meido Moore.

See Also: Walking, Breathing Methods, Nutrition-Eating-Food

The Essential Qigong Training Course. 100 Days to increase Energy, Physical Health, and Spiritual Well-Being. By Ken Cohen. Boulder, Colorado, Sounds True, 2005. Includes a 59 page weekly workbook, a Qigong DVD, 5 audio CDs, and one Qi Healing DVD. VSCL.

Energy Psychology: Self-Healing Practices for Bodymind Health. By Michael Mayer, Pd.D. North Atlantic, 2019, 480 pages. VSCL, Paaperback.

Secrets to Living Younger Longer: The Self-Healing Path of Qigong, Standing Meditation, and Tai Chi. By Michael Mayer, Pd.D. 314 pages, 2013. VSCL, Paperback.

Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy: Ancient Pathways to Modern Health. By Michael Mayer. 418 pages, 2007. VSCL, E0Book.

The Path of a Reluctant Metaphysician. By Michael Mayer, Pd.D. Kindle, 472 pages, 2012. VSCL, Kindle E-Book.

Qigong: Eight Section Brocade Qigong

Qigong: Dragon Qigong

Qigong: Five Animal Frolics Qigong

Qigong: Grounding, Rooting

Qigong: Hatha Yoga Asanas

Qigong: Magic Pearl Qigong

Qigong: Stretching and Flexibility

Qigong: Self Massage

Qigong: Stretching

Qigong: Temple Qigong

Qigong: Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong

Qigong: Wudang Mountain Qigong

Qigong: Zen Naikan: The Ancient Energy Alchemy of the Rinzai Zen Monks. Including 21 Traditional Exercises. By Leonardo Anfolsi.

Quotations

Quotations, Poems, Scriptures, Advice, Comments, Opinions, Views, Insights

"Right now, what is this? What is it that sees? What is it that hears. What is it that moves? What is it that sits? At all times and in all places, focus on you mind and see how it is. Without conceiving of being or nonbeing, without thinking of affirmation or negation, without discriminating, without rationalizing, just observe in this way. When the time comes it will appear of itself, without need of your intellectual discrimination."
- Zen Master Torei (1721-1792), The Undying Lamp of Zen, p. 28

"The aim of Zen is to touch the infinite life and the absolute world, to comprehend that such is one's True self. To Shakyamuni, all sentient beings have the same essential nature as Tathagata. However, they are not able to realize it because they see things upside down in delusion. But when we break through that delusion, the illusion caused by selfish desires and doubt, and come into contact with the Absolute for a fraction of a second, we realize our original True Self. This experience is called Satori or Kensho. In short, this is awakening to one's True Self. It may be said that the aim of Zen is to have that kind of experience."
- Omori Sogen, Zen Training, p. 15.

"Depth lies on the surface of things." - Ludwig Wittgenstein

"The practice of the four universal vows first makes liberation of others the number one pledge, along with clarifying your own nature, cutting of the root of afflications, studying all teachings, and carrying out the activities of Bodhisattvas, so compassion and knowledge are completely fulfilled. This is called the way of Buddhas."
- Zen Master Torei (1721-1792), The Undying Lamp of Zen, p. 22

Ch'an (Zen) Buddhist Poems, Verses, Sayings, Quotations, Quips, and Koans. Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo.
Selected Quotations: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine

"Four Universal Vows:
Living beings are infinite, I vow to liberate them.
Afflictions are endless, I vow to stop them.
The teachings are innumerable, I vow to study them.
The way of the Buddhas is supreme, I vow to fulfill it."
- Thomas Cleary

"So great compassion is like the sky, because it covers all living beings; great compassion is like the earth, because it produces all the teachings; great compassion makes it possible to see Buddha-nature, by first clarifying real knowledge for the sake of others. Great compassion makes it possible to pass through unyielding barriers, by plumbing the profound teachings more for the sake of others. Great compassion makes it possible to penetrate the transcendental, by seeking a life beyond for others. Great compassion can develop powerful application, by striving on this path for the sake of others. Great compassion can activate intrepidness, by keeping a vigorous will alive for the sake of others. Great compassion makes it possible to get beyond regression, because the mind is settled for the sake of others. Great compassion can produce broad learning, by studying everything for the sake of others. Great compassion can produce erudition, by deep deduction on the principles of things for the sake of others. Great compassion can produce blessings, by always coming up with expedients for others. Great compassion can annihilate afflictions, by sacrificing body, life, and goods for others. Great compassion can extirpate conceit, by acting benevolently for others. Great compassion enble detachement from fame and profit, by basing everything on truth for the sake of others. Great compassion enables entry in the realm of reality, because there is nowhere it does not go for the sake of others.

The virtues of great compassion are infinite; they could be expounded upon forever without exhausting them, but it boils down to this: Whoever has great compassion can extinguish all obstructions caused by past action and can fulfill all virtues, no principle cannot be understood, no path cannot be practiced, no knowledge cannot be obtained, no virtue not developed."
- Zen Master Torei (1721-1792), The Undying Lamp of Zen, p. 24

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Relaxation, Calming, Settling Methods, Loosened, Grounding, Sung. By Michael P. Garofalo.

Rinzai Exercises, Chi Kung, Enegy Exercises, Qigong, Asanas, Gong Fu, Nei-gong, Rinzai Nikan, Body-Mind Somatic Work SEE Qigong

Rinzai Obaku Zen, Joint Council for Japanese Rinzai and Obaku Zen, Website in English, Japanese, and Chinese Versions. Essays, exhibits, links, resources, advice, explanations, art.

Rinzai School - Wikipedia

Rinzai Zen Buddhist Books at Amazon

Rinzai Zen Buddhist School See Also Blue Cliff Record, Gateless Barrier, Sutherland Roshi, Yamada Roshi, Wick Roshi, Tarrant Roshi, etc.

The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice. By Meido Moore. Shambhala, 2018, 244 pages. Index, bibliography, glossary, notes. VSCL, Paperback.

The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice. By Meido Moore. Free Online, PDF.

Samurai Zen: The 100 Warrior Koans (SAM)

Samurai Zen: The Warrior Koans. By Trevor Leggett - Translation, Commentary, Introduction. 100 Koans. Routledge, 2003, Second Edition 218 pages. Trevor Pryce Leggett (1914-2000). VSCL, Paperback.

Numerical List of 100 Cases in Samurai Zen. First Draft, June 23, 2023, SAM, PDF, 4 Pages.

Alphabetical List of the 100 Cases in Samurai Zen. First Draft, June 23, 2023, SAM, PDF, 4 Pages.

Subject Index for the 100 Cases in Samurai Zen. First Draft, June 23, 2023, SAM, PDF, 25 Pages.

Samadhi
Meditative Absorpson, Non-Dualistic Consciousness, Undistracted; Pointed Concentration During Seated Meditation (Dhyana);
Focusing/collecting, cleansing and calming the mind; a broad field of awareness, knowing but non-discursive,
a stable, discerning and focused mind; a trancelike state of consciousness; mystical state of experience;
nothing what-so-ever; just sitting quietly; less thinking, not thinking, no-thoughts; calm, settled, peaceful.

Samadhi: The Four Basic Characteristics of Samadhi. By Garma C. C. Chang

Satori or Kensho Awakened, Enlightened, Realizing True Self, True Self-Understanding, Non-Duality Perspective, Emptiness, Zen View

Senses, Impressions, Sights-Sounds, Sensory Manifold, Human Sensory Reality
Perceptions, Experiences in the Present, Doing rather than Thinking, Being Present

A Natural History of the Senses. By Diane Ackerman.

Five Senses. By Michael P. Garofalo

Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World. By Gretchen Rubin. Crown, 2023, 272 pages.

See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses. By Lawrence D. Rosenblum. Norton, 2010, 368 pages.

When Awareness Becomes Natural. By Sayadaw U. Tejaniya and Robert French. Shambhala, 2016.

Body-Mind, Embodied Cognition, Somaesthetics, Somatic Psychology and Philosophy

Touch, Fingers, Hands, Skin, Feeling, Proprioperception

Vision, Seeing, Sight, Perspective, Watching, Observing

Hearing, Sounds, Silence, Speech, Music, Noise

Smell, Scents, Fragrance, Odors, Perfume

Sitting - Meditation

Seated Meditaion, Sitting Zen, Seated Meditaion, Zazen, Shiktanza, Dhyana,
Silent Illumination, Quiet Sitting, Padmasana, Sukhasana, Seated on Zafu Cushion,
Seated on Chair, Just Sitting and Forgetting, a, Sea

Most Zen Buddhist Books discuss "How to Do Seated Meditation." I recommend books by: Tom Bisio, Philippe Coupey, Thich Nhat Hanh, Philip Kapleau, Livia Kohn, John Daido Loori, Meido Moore, Katsuki Sekida, Julian Daizan Skinner, Matthew Sockolov, Omori Sogen, Yin Shih Zi, etc.

Seated Meditation SEE ALSO Breathing, Chanting, Koan Introspection, Samadhi, Standing Meditation, Walking Medition

How to Sit for Meditation - 8 Options

How to Enjoy Seated Meditation from Plum Village

How to Practice Seated Meditation from Kwan Um School of Zen

Meditative Postures - Wikipedia

Practical Zen: Meditation and Beyond. By Julian Daizan Skinner. Singing Dragon, 2017, 256 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Seated Meditation on You-Tube

Seated Zen Meditation Books from Amazon

Sitting for Meditation by Swami Krishnananda

Taoist Meditation

Seated Meditation: Lotus Posture, Padmasana, Hatha Yoga

Seated Meditation: Seated Yoga Postures

Seated Meditation: Zen Practice: Body, Breath, Mind. By Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi and Bernie Glassman. Wisdom, 2002, 208 pages.

Seated Meditation: Seated Zen Meditation Postures. By White Wind Zen Community.

Sleeping

Fact: We spend about 33% of each day, 8 hours, sleeping in bed. One Third of your entire life is used in sleeping! It is one way of meditating.

Sleeping Your Way to Nirvana

How to Sleep Better Each Day

Just because you are supposedly "not awake", sleeping is still your essential 6-8 hour daily body-mind practice that really propells you to actually waking up. Thus, the "waking up" metaphors resonate with Buddhist contemplators ever since the Buddha himself ansered the question "Are you a god?" and he answered, "I am Awake!"

Do gods and goddesses or other supernatural beings sleep? How does an angel feel when she wakes up?

When sleeping you do have consciousness of your environment. Ignoring many sounds, but not all; especially dangerous sounds. "Light sleepers" and "heavy sleepers" have different levels of external environmental awareness of sounds, head/cold, smells, shaking bed, etc. Most people wake up quite quickly when somebody yells "Fire," or we feel a strong earthquake, or a new born baby cries out loud, etc.. When sleeping, we are not unconscious like under anesthesia.

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Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra Books

Standing Meditation. By Michael P. Garofalo

Standing Meditaion SEE Meditation - Standing, Meditation, Samadhi, Walking Meditation

Standing Meditation, Wuji Zhuang, Tadasana, Zhan Zhuang (Stance Keeping, Standing Post)
San Ti Shi, Embrace the One, Open Hands and Close Hands, Hold the Magic Pearl, Yi Quan,
Hugging the Tree, Bear Posture, Ecstatic Body Postures

Staff, Cane, Jo, Cane, Stick

Subject Index to Green Way Research. Index to the many hypertext notebooks of Michael P. Garofalo. 1998-2023

Subject Index to 1,001 Zen Buddhist Koans

Swordsmanship, Martial Arts

Suzuki, Daisetsu Teitaro (1870-1966) - Wikipedia

The Sword of No Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu. By John Stevens. Shambhala, 1994, 184 pages.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) Internal Martial Art

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) Yang Style

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) Chen Style

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) and Chi Kung (Qigong)

Secrets to Living Younger Longer: The Self-Healing Path of Qigong, Standing Meditation, and Tai Chi. By Michael Mayer, Pd.D. 314 pages, 2013. VSCL, Paperback.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) SEE ALSO Qigong, Breathing, Walking