“Honey Bees”
“Honey Bees are Mathematicians”

I wrote about Honey Bees like above articles, speaking of honey bees is honey, speaking of hones is Pooh. So, today is about philosophy learned from Winnie the Pooh.

Rainy days continue in Tokyo, hydrangea begins to bloom also on the roadside, makes us feel the arrival of the rainy season. *Hydrangea is a symbol of rainy season.

Hydrangea is a plant that has a very colorful hue and its luxury, but did you know that the part that looks like a petal is calyx actually? The petals are small in the center. They are called decorative flowers (maybe only in Japanese?), they have the same color as the petals. The calyxes are large and conspicuous, so they seem to be mistaken for a petal.

And Hydrangea’s flower language is here.

[Japan]
Hearthstone, Family, Friends, Peace, Harmony, Various changes, Good friends

[The West]
Cheerful, Proud, Cheating, Heartless, Betrayal

I wrote about Zen practice last time, so that I write about why I am interested in Zen this time. The book “Dogen Zen No Kotoba (Japanese Edition)Dec 1, by Katsunori Sakaino” was my first zen book, I read it when I was 20’s at the age of concern, I needed advices or guides then (perhaps still now?!). I found it at a book shop and I thought it seemed easy to understand, Buddhism books usually difficult but it was not for me.

There are four chapters, and 100 teachings in total.

Chapter 1
30 teachings that notice “really important things” – Just a slight change in perspective

Chapter 2
30 teachings that becomes free from “trouble” – It will be easy for you to “thrown away”

Chapter 3
20 teachings that confidence is born out of me – Slowly, carefully at your own pace

Chapter 4
20 teachings that think about “way of life” – Lost and troubles are gone

I have been interested in Zen and I study in books etc for 10 years. The number of people who practice meditation, mindfulness, breathing methods are increasing, so I am happy as a Zen lover. I sometimes practice Zen meditation, today is about that.

Chokokuji (zen temple in Nishiazabu, Tokyo) offers its Zazenkai (group Zazen session) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm every Mondays. Participation fee is 100 yen. For participants who need language assistance in English, it is highly recommended to come with an interpreter on the first day (introduction) and the second day (the first Zen session) since we cannot provide translation service. From the third day, you could come by yourself.

I can do “Just sitting” at my place but the reason why I go to Zazekai is I like the atmosphere. Despite the city center of Nishiazabu, the temple is very quiet, the air is clear and fresh feelings. In the Kannondo on the right after going through the gate, Azabu Kannon which was built by carving Kusunoki, looks gentle with a calm feeling. And the buildings where for Zazenkai, the dimmer space, incense scent, tatami mats, monk’s black robes, Buddhist decorations… Straighten up but I feel calm with the nostalgic space somehow.

Not be trapped in the past that has already gone and not feel anxious for future that has not come yet. Put your awareness on your breathing, and aware of you have been already happy and rich. Focus on your breaths and feel present…

Recently practices such as mindfulness, breathing, zazen, meditation or yoga are getting popular to live yourself. I have tried to do some of them (in progress).

The basic steps are breathe in abdominally (consciousness of the inner part of the lower abdomen, just beneath the navel), breathe in and breathe out. I could do this longer when I am in good condition but not all the time, otherwise I am dominated by thinking. I have been trying to do some practices to keep good feeling longer, and I met good method of Thich Nhat Hanh.