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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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Step 5: It's only for your benefit ...

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Step 5:  "Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs." One day when Dongshan and a...
Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Step Four -- A fire alarm is sounding!

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Step 4:  Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Koan:  Put out that fire across the river. It takes courage...
Monday, March 17, 2014

Life After Your Barn Has Burned Down

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The mere thought of thinking about making a decision requires attention – to in some way notice the process unfolding.  For God or our...
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Sunday, March 9, 2014

Our Twelve AND Zen Culture

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This article by John Tarrant (my teacher and founder of Pacific Zen Institute) comes to you from the Spring 2014 issue of Buddhadharma: ...
Saturday, March 1, 2014

Step 3: Deciding to change

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Some say it’s time for March Madness (college basketball).  I say it’s time for March Gladness!  Time for us to sit with Step 3 and a new k...
Sunday, February 16, 2014

Step 2: The Mind Comes Forth

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  Last Friday was Valentines Day.   I thought we might not have our “usual” number of people attending 12 & Zen,...
Saturday, February 1, 2014

Step Two, Turning the Corner

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A month or so ago at one of my regular meetings a young woman, (“C”) spoke up about being an avowed atheist.  This particular meeting is a...
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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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