Ordinary Mind

Charlotte Joko Beck and her Dharma Successors have established the Ordinary Mind Zen School, whose purpose is set forth in the following statement.

The Ordinary Mind Zen School intends to manifest and support practice of the Awakened Way, as expressed in the teaching of Charlotte Joko Beck. The School is composed of Charlotte Joko Beck, her Dharma Successors, and teachers and successors they, as individuals, have formally authorized. There is no affiliation

with other Zen groups or religious denominations; however, membership in this School does not preclude individual affiliation with other groups. Within the School there is no hierarchy of Dharma Successors.

The Awakened Way is universal; the medium and methods of realization vary according to circumstances. Each Dharma Successor in the School may apply diverse approaches to practice and determine the structure of any organization that s/he may develop to facilitate practice.

The Successors acknowledge that they are ongoing students, and that the quality of their teaching derives from the quality of their practice. As ongoing students, teachers are committed to the openness and fluidity of practice, wherein the wisdom of the absolute may be manifested in/as our life. An important
function of this School is the ongoing examination and development of effective teaching approaches to insure comprehensive practice in all aspects of living.

May the practice of this school manifest wisdom and compassion, benefiting all beings.  

NEW YORK CITY
Barry Magid, teacher
Ordinary Mind Zendo
107 West 74th Street
between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues
Apt. BR
New York, NY 10023
T 917-608-3348
www.ordinarymind.com
*  *  *

ZEN CENTER OF PORTLAND
Larry Christensen, teacher
2050 NW Lovejoy
Portland, OR  97209
(503)  319-8548
www.zencenterofportland.org
*  *  *

ZEN CENTER OF SAN DIEGO
Elizabeth Hamilton: elizcsd@aol.com
Ezra Bayda: ezrabayda@aol.com
2047 Feldspar
San Diego, CA
(619)  273-3444
www.zencentersandiego.org
*  *  *

PRAIRIE ZEN CENTER
Elihu Genmyo Smith, teacher
515 South Prospect
Champaign, IL  61824
(217)  355-8835
www.prairiezen.org
*  *  *

BAY AREA ZEN CENTER
Diane Rizzetto, teacher
5600A Snake Road
Oakland, CA  94611
(510)  482-2533
www.bayzen.org

Joshu asked Nansen, “What is the way?”

“Ordinary mind is the way,” Nansen replied.

“Should I try to seek after it?” Joshu asked.

“If you try for it, you will become separated from it,” responded Nansen.

“How can I know the way unless I try for it?” persisted Joshu.

Nansen said, “The way is not a matter of knowing or not knowing. Knowing is delusion; not knowing is confusion. When you have really reached the true way beyond doubt, you will find it vast and boundless as outer space. How can it be talked about on the level of right and wrong?”

 

With these words, Joshu came to a sudden realization.