Some autobiographical parallels rang bells Tom. Particularly about regrets about the past transforming into remorse - doing Sange in the Zen tradition. Its not easy. I sense you, like me, have a deeper faith in the true Refuge now compared to the early days.
Thanks, Eric! Glad to hear that the essay resonated with you, and very interested to learn that Zen has a practice for transforming regret into remorse. News to me, and I'll appreciate any further info you'd care to share about this practice - and especially anything about your personal experience working with it.
If you look on shastaabbey.org and look on Glossary there is an explanation of Sange. It is all to do with admitting ones mistakes and letting go of shame by taking refuge in the three treasures. Sange can be private or part of formal ceremonies in Soto Zen.
Thanks again, Eric! I've looked up Sange on the Shasta Abbey site, and was especially moved by the quote “All the evil committed by me is caused by beginningless greed, hatred and delusion. All the evil is committed by my body, speech and mind." I plan to incorporate this reflection into my morning sitting practice over the next few weeks.
Some autobiographical parallels rang bells Tom. Particularly about regrets about the past transforming into remorse - doing Sange in the Zen tradition. Its not easy. I sense you, like me, have a deeper faith in the true Refuge now compared to the early days.
Thanks, Eric! Glad to hear that the essay resonated with you, and very interested to learn that Zen has a practice for transforming regret into remorse. News to me, and I'll appreciate any further info you'd care to share about this practice - and especially anything about your personal experience working with it.
Hi Tom
If you look on shastaabbey.org and look on Glossary there is an explanation of Sange. It is all to do with admitting ones mistakes and letting go of shame by taking refuge in the three treasures. Sange can be private or part of formal ceremonies in Soto Zen.
Thanks again, Eric! I've looked up Sange on the Shasta Abbey site, and was especially moved by the quote “All the evil committed by me is caused by beginningless greed, hatred and delusion. All the evil is committed by my body, speech and mind." I plan to incorporate this reflection into my morning sitting practice over the next few weeks.