Fall Practice Period 2012

Main altar at the EHZC (see EHZC Still Life) showing commitment pledges (tied with red ribbon) from Fall Practice Period participants. The Practice period has its roots in the "rains retreat" during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha in India, when monks gathered together to intensify their meditation and study under the guidance of their teacher. The commitment pledges spell out the degree to which the student will intensify his/her meditation practice at home and at the zendo and increase the frequency of meetings (dokusan) with the teacher. My pledge paper is somewhere in that stack.

I was given the responsibility of shuso, or head student, during this practice period, and, as a result, I have been sitting a lot during the last three weeks. As shuso, my meditation cushion has been moved to the front of the zendo next to the altar and I look out on all the sangha members - as they do at me. The view from my cushion, which I have spent many hours appreciating, is shown below. Dharma gate of joy and ease (go here for a translation of Dogen's Fukanzazengi, or Rules of Zazen). [NOTE: Small red circle indicates the spot where my soft gaze invariably lands].  

Pressing Palms

Andrew Henderson and I together with  U Tin Maung Ohn (white shirt, sitting cross-legged on a newspaper; see U Tin Maung Ohn and the Monkey), U Kyaw Lwin (dark blue shirt, sitting on the ground), and several local field assistant in the courtyard of the Shimbweyeng Guesthouse in northern Myanmar cutting up and pressing the day's collection of palm specimens. [NOTE: Warm enough for palms, but I have on a flannel shirt and several of the guys are wearing jackets. Perfect weather for botanizing]. 

Virtual Buddha

An interesting tonic that I noticed on the herbal product shelf in the Institute of Economic Botany where I work. Have no idea what's in it, but I am intrigued by the name and the "elation by the glass" descriptor. [NOTE: The bottle is probably a collector's item. I googled Elixr tonics, and the company is no longer in business. Herbal supplements, like everything else, are subject to impermanence]. 

Aung San Suu Kyi Visits U.S.

Yes, that's Aug San Suu Kyi and Barak Obama petting Bo, the Obama family dog in the Oval Office of the White House. During her 17-day visit she has already received the Congressional Gold Medal, met President Obama, spoke to a gathering of Burmese people in Queens, and answered questions from lines of students at the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University. In response to the frequently-asked question of "How did you do it?, Suu Kyi said "Principles are not an old-fashioned idea. Principles matter. You have to build your life on a sense of duty." Amen. [NOTE: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza].

Standing Around (w/Elephants)

Don't know who took this photo, because both U Tun Shaung (see Group Photo) and I are in it. At some point during the 2005 Hukuang Valley Rattan Survey (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey), most of the science team is standing out on the Ledo Road with the portage elephants trying to figure something out. From L - R: Loi Mai and Aung Bu (see A Bridge Too Far), me, U Tun Shuang, Gung Aung (mahout), Dr. Andrew Henderson (see A Palm, Two Botanists With Cameras), U Myint Maung (Warden of Hukaung Tiger Reserve), and U Kyaw Lwin. [NOTE: We are all wearing our green "Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey" baseball caps as we try to resolve whatever the problem is]. 

Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap is a gifted musician, singer, and composer from London. Her music, which contains a lot of electronics and looping, is beautiful, deep, quirky, and totally addictive. Can't believe it took me so long to find this talented performer. Love her stuff. [NOTE: Video shows her performing "Bad Body Double" from her third album, Ellipse at the Liverpool O2 Academy in October of 2010].

Bayon Postcard

Hard to believe that a little over three months ago I was standing in front of the temple of Bayon (see Bayon) with my son. Sigh. Sky is amazing. [NOTE: This image really does look like it came from a postcard].

Earrings, Silk Scarf, and Maybe a Buddha

Exhilarating ride through Phnom Penh on the way to the Russian Market ("Psar Tuol To Pong") to buy some handicrafts before heading home. My Cambodian student, Neak Phearoom, is driving the scooter. [NOTE: It was the brakes, or lack of brakes, that made the trip most memorable (thx, Phearoom)].

Installation

The trucks and cranes and workers and cables are all here - in the drizzling rain - to start setting up the Manolo Valdés sculptures (see Recent Arrivals) at NYBG. This is going to be great. [NOTE: The image above greeted me as I walked to my office this morning].

Amy and the Dolphin

Daughter Amy says hello to a Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus Montagu) in Waikoloa, Hawai'i. What a wonderful vacation. [NOTE: My snorkel and fins have been stored in the attic (see Snorkeling), but I am ready to go back at a moment's notice].