Comments for Kara's Rambles http://karabarnard.com/blog stuff to think about Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:39:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 Comment on Thich Nhat Hahn Retreat and Ashokan Dam by kara http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58&cpage=1#comment-32 kara Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:39:57 +0000 http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58#comment-32 So Correct. I also learned that from this experience. I left the group to take a photo of the moment rather than being in the moment. It WAS a gentle nudge. Thanks for your comment. Kara So Correct. I also learned that from this experience. I left the group to take a photo of the moment rather than being in the moment. It WAS a gentle nudge. Thanks for your comment. Kara

]]> Comment on Thich Nhat Hahn Retreat and Ashokan Dam by Dave Bowman http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58&cpage=1#comment-31 Dave Bowman Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:53:16 +0000 http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58#comment-31 Sometimes when Zen teachers are kind and gentle they are trying to teach you a hard lesson. When they are rough it can be a mark of high respect. When Thai showed you the red leaf, he may have been trying to tell you "Don't worship me, don't pay so much attention to me. I'm not what is important. Pay attention to this leaf, pay attention to what is real and all around you right now." I believe that when he showed you the leaf it was a gentle rebuke. Next time you see him, slap his face. If you do, you can sit and look at red leaves together. Sometimes when Zen teachers are kind and gentle they are trying to teach you a hard lesson. When they are rough it can be a mark of high respect.

When Thai showed you the red leaf, he may have been trying to tell you “Don’t worship me, don’t pay so much attention to me. I’m not what is important. Pay attention to this leaf, pay attention to what is real and all around you right now.”

I believe that when he showed you the leaf it was a gentle rebuke.

Next time you see him, slap his face. If you do, you can sit and look at red leaves together.

]]> Comment on Thich Nhat Hahn Retreat and Ashokan Dam by Cameron Mitchum http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58&cpage=1#comment-9 Cameron Mitchum Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:54:01 +0000 http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58#comment-9 A friend of mine has been a follower for many years. And while she is an eloquent writer and very centered, your words described your retreat stay in words which reached me as hers never have--an everywoman's encounter. thank you for sharing. Cam A friend of mine has been a follower for many years. And while she is an eloquent writer and very centered, your words described your retreat stay in words which reached me as hers never have–an everywoman’s encounter.
thank you for sharing.
Cam

]]> Comment on Thich Nhat Hahn Retreat and Ashokan Dam by Mike Adams http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58&cpage=1#comment-8 Mike Adams Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:21:36 +0000 http://karabarnard.com/blog/?p=58#comment-8 Thank you Kara for your beautiful words. i have tried and failed to be able express in words my own experiences at the retreat at Blue Cliff. Though i have been reading Thay for more than 16 years and practicing regularly now for nearly 5 years, this was the first time i was able to be with him. i too received the Five Mindfulness Trainings for the first time at the retreat (something that i had actually planned for nearly two years). i will share your words with family and friends so they may have some understanding of what it was like to be there with Thay and with all of you. i wish you peace and joy. Mike Thank you Kara for your beautiful words. i have tried and failed to be able express in words my own experiences at the retreat at Blue Cliff. Though i have been reading Thay for more than 16 years and practicing regularly now for nearly 5 years, this was the first time i was able to be with him. i too received the Five Mindfulness Trainings for the first time at the retreat (something that i had actually planned for nearly two years). i will share your words with family and friends so they may have some understanding of what it was like to be there with Thay and with all of you. i wish you peace and joy.
Mike

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