PZI Teacher Archives
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Allison Atwill -
David Parks -
David Weinstein -
Eduardo Fuentes -
Jesse Cardin -
John Tarrant -
Jon Joseph -
Michelle Riddle -
Tess Beasley
Freely I Watch the Tracks of the Flying Birds (MK23b)
KOAN:
Freely I watch the tracks of the flying birds.
—PZI Miscellaneous Koans, Case 23b
From Crossing the Brook:
a. Slowly I cross a brook and extinguish its sound.
b. My lazy gaze follows the tracks of the flying birds.
—PZI MK Case 23: Xuedou’s verse following Yunmen’s Good Day koan, Blue Cliff Record Case 6
Watching the Tracks of the Flying Birds
John remarks on being freed from the hospital after a brush with Covid and more, and feeling our ties to the birds, symbolizing freedom through their ability to take off at will. Also: The legend of the painter who disappeared on the back of a painted crane, and the Zhuangzi’s fish named Kuhn who becomes a bird. Recorded April 23, 2023
Fall Sesshin 2021: Freely I Watch the Tracks of the Flying Birds
As recorded on October 22, at PZI Fall Sesshin 2021. Bird tracks and a crane story from long ago in China. Four vows are sung and played by Amaryllis Fletcher & Jordan McConnell. Allison Atwill gives a closing poem.
Unexpected Gifts, Unexpected Help Along the Way
What is the gift of the universe? We receive unexpected help when we are “living down a level,” living things before we construct them. Not constantly consulting your “me,” you open to the invitations and gifts that appear; trusting in the Dao.
Freely I Watch the Tracks of the Flying Birds
PZI Zen Online Audio: Includes John’s intro and koan, a long meditation segment with Jordan McConnell on guitar. John gives the koan and other guidance throughout the meditation segment followed by a talk and comments. Closing bells, violin, & 4 vows with PZI Cantor Amaryllis Fletcher. As recorded March 29, 2020.