The 12 Steps and Zen Koans

If you belong to a 12 Step Group, at one time you will hear someone say, "Upon working the steps, one day you will see where the Steps are working you!" The same can be said when you meditate with Zen koans ... a koan can pop into your life when you least expect it, giving you a new perspective on matters. Here we are practicing with koans to see how they can deepen our understanding of the 12 Steps in new and unexpected ways.

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Creating Space Between Thoughts

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I'm working with a sponsee who's been in recovery for quite some time now -- still he hasn't placed much of a priority on medit...
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Monday, October 17, 2011

I Stopped Looking and a Treasure Appeared

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In this blog's background material you may recall how a particular koan came to me as Step Three. Two other people (so far) have told ...
Saturday, October 1, 2011

With Much "Vigah"

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For those of my age, perhaps you recall President John F. Kennedy with his New England accent speaking these words with much "vigah?...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Host and Guest

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"The head monks of two parts of the meditation hall caught sight of each other and simultaneously gave a shout. A monk asked the Maste...
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Monday, September 12, 2011

Teaching What?

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I received a very sincere email the other day where the sender referred to my teaching. A different emailer had "When the student is r...
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Body Exposed

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The teacher last night gave us the "Golden Wind" koan, Case 27 from the Blue Cliff Record . This is the koan we use for Ste...
Monday, August 15, 2011

"What is zen?" asked the monk.

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"Attention. Attention. Attention," replied the master. Here is a koan that is fully encompassing. OK, they all are. ...
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Bill K.
We try to carry the 12 Step message to those who are suffering, "and to practice these principles in all our affairs." In Buddhism, our practice includes the vow to save all beings. Here the practices are melded into one -- bringing freedom into our life.
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