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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Monday, November 16, 2015

Step 11: Sought through prayer and listening...

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Step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge...
Sunday, October 11, 2015

Step 10: It's only for your benefit

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Step 10:  Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.   Koan: One day when Dongshan and a monk were w...
Saturday, September 12, 2015

Steps 8 and 9 -- "Then wash your bowls."

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Have you eaten? Step 8:  Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Step 9:  Made direct a...
Sunday, August 16, 2015

Where are you going?

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This month, instead of sitting with one particular Step, we sat with all twelve Steps and this koan.  I wonder what Step(s) will resonate...
Saturday, July 11, 2015

Step 7: What is the Way?

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A reminder of the Way  Step 7:  Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Koan:  “What is the Way?  A clearly enlightened p...
Saturday, June 13, 2015

Step 6: Not the Wind, Not the Flag That Moves

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Step 6:  Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Koan:  The wind was flapping a temple flag, and two monks ...
Saturday, May 9, 2015

Step 5: Light Comes To a Dark Place

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We were at Step 4 last month.  That can be a dark place, going over our past deeds – drenched in guilt, shame and remorse. Step 5:  Admi...
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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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