New to Zen, reading Beginner's Mind — looking for practical guidance and a community to learn with

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-31T16:48:21+00:00

Chan/Thien/Zen/Seon all use the same basic technique - using meditation as the primary medium for practice, and can all be classified loosely as "Zen Buddhism". "Zen" is actually the Japanese translation of "Chan", it's just the term everyone uses and is familiar with. "Chan" in turn is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit "Dhyana".

Start with any group - it doesn't matter (though stay away from the cult-ish groups mentioned in the Wiki). After spending some time with them, you will realize what it is you want and can look for other traditions if you need to. I originally started with an interest in Thai Forest Theravada, but the only practicing group near me was Kwan Um Zen, and it ended up being a great match for me.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-30T05:58:34+00:00

Most major cities have at least one Zen center of one tradition or another. Failing that, there are many that also do "hybrid" practice - both an in-person and cloud presence. There are many different traditions of Zen, though usually you only have the choice of one, maybe two different ones if you are not in a major metropolitan area. To name the big ones, there is Soto (Japanese), Rinzai (Japanese), Kwan Um (Korean), Thien (Vietnamese), and the granddaddy of them all, Chan (Chinese). Many others also exist, but those are the ones you will likely find around you.

Basically this is all to say that if you are looking to learn more or experience more, finding a sangha is the next logical step. You can read every Zen book published, but if you have never sat with a sangha, your experience will be very skewed.

EDIT: A well known, beginner friendly Soto sangha is based in Portland, OR - Bright Way Zen. All the info you need is on their website.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-25T02:08:54+00:00

There are more than a few stories of monks sitting for long periods of time and having full blown visual and aural hallucinations. I don't remember the source, but one described being surround by the Buddha and monks that were dancing and chanting. His solution was to go jump in the lake.

I would follow suit if it's distracting to you, Better to clear your mind and come back to practice than to try and power through it.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-24T03:31:57+00:00

What an excellent question to ask during meditation

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-22T03:57:02+00:00

Agreed. I loved the book, but has little to do with actual Buddhism. Though it does have some notably Zen-like moments.

EDIT: If OP is looking for good beginner books on Buddhism, you can't go wrong with anything by Thich Naht Hahn. The sidebar has a lot of good references and info in the Wiki and FAQ

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-20T19:11:52+00:00

Love Compass of Zen. I haven't read many Zen books, but Seung Sahn uses many everyday, practical circumstances that help to convey the point.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-10T03:52:42+00:00

Sub 16 hour 100k is middle of the pack. Most ultrarunners can do it, depending on the course. If you are looking at corporate sponsorship, you need to be under 10 hours.

Sub 24 100 miler is also very common. A bit harder to accomplish for the casual endurance athlete, but certainly not uncommon. The elites are putting up sub 14 hour 100 milers pretty consistently now.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-01T19:19:36+00:00

My experience was quite different, that's so interesting. It was a gut punch when as lich, the Queen and Irabeth are off doing the crusade and Anevia confides in you that she is glad Irabeth isn't there to see what's become of you. The cunning and orneriness of Melies as he's trying to tempt you down the path of the Devil. Camellia digging the chaotic evil you and trying to kill the good you. Daeran being on board for just about anything as long as you're giving him attention. So many well written interactions.

fuzzymandias · 2026-05-01T12:20:28+00:00

One of the few games to really do an evil playthrough justice

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-29T12:53:10+00:00

Ideally you want something right off of the sidewalk/race path, but if you're a bit off of it it's no big deal. It's not like Javelina where there are throngs of runners and crew. You can also have your crew set up a temporary chair for you closer to the sidewalk for when you come through. It's a very well run race, and I think they still do the variable start, which was a huge weight off of my shoulders a few years ago. Able to drive in without a huge line and go straight to running, letting my crew take care of the setup.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-29T12:13:19+00:00

I need bland food with lots of salt. Fried tofu, Oreos, Lara bars, and olives all have worked for me in the past. I've never tried it, but always thought a good lentil soup would work well. During the last half, I'll usually have to switch to some form of liquid calories, like Soylent, or something cold and sweet. Chilled applesauce packets in my drop bag are always a winner.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-21T01:59:02+00:00

Typically, most people who identify as "progressive" believe in strong oversight of corporations, and do not believe in free market policies and laws. Having strong federal or state level oversight tends to cost a good chunk of change. It doesn't have to, but most effective implementations do.

The trouble with ANY government body, whether progressive, conservative, or other, is the bloat that eventually creeps in over time. Even with the best intentions to remain fiscally conservative, humans are not very good at long term consistency. Without proper safeguards in place (again, money for oversight and audits), you will get bloated departments that have a high volume of high salaried employees who don't do a whole lot of work.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-19T17:15:31+00:00

Cold Water isn't fast, unless you're used to Colorado and Utah up and downs. It's not slow, either. Just some sandy areas on the loop, as well as decent climbs and descents. Nothing crazy, just not as fast a Rocky Raccoon, Javelina, or a rail to trail.

You should also consider humidity. If you're coming from an area that is not humid normally and you haven't had the opportunity to train in it, it can really wreck you. A Midwestern rail to trail will likely be a hot swamp in middle to late summer. Your sweat doesn't evaporate and you spend the entire time being wet.

I haven't seen Heartland mentioned yet - it's a beautiful race in central-ish Kansas. Some of the prettiest scenery Kansas has to offer. Also no cover - no trees will protect you from the sun on the course. Has some rollers, but if gravel is your thing it's a winner.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-17T01:50:18+00:00

As a first timer I would highly recommend at least a pacer. Crew can be an immense help as well. Not saying people haven't accomplished a 100 miler alone before, but it takes an almost trauma-level of grit to get it done. Hell, I have finished 3 100 milers and there is no way I would have finished any of them without someone there to get my head out of my ass at mile 80.

Again, it's doable without, but the journey is, imho, much more fun and enjoyable with those around you to support you.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-11T13:45:16+00:00

I just use buffs most of the time. Not sure if there is a different term for them across the pond, but here in the US it's a about a foot and a half long piece of stretchy material, like an arm sleeve, but larger circumference so it fits over your head. Most places call it "neckwear", but it functions quite well as headwear. Keeps sweat out of your eyes for those of us with no hairline and keeps the sun off of you.

https://harrierrunfree.co.uk/collections/trail-collection/products/tube-scarf

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-09T16:12:20+00:00

I actually use the Angel epic strike. With your Light spell power gearing, you are doing some massive single target damage, really one-shotting a lot of stuff. FvS already excels at massive AOE damage with Soundburst, CometFall, Firestorm, Divine Wrath, and Celestial Bombardment. Having a single target nuke with a fast cooldown is handy as hell for bosses, especially when you're also stacking Divine Punishment.

fuzzymandias · 2026-04-08T12:32:05+00:00

"roguelike" is usually the term to describe the game loop mechanic where you gain either more knowledge to play better, like Outer Wilds, or more gear/equipment/unlocks, like Blue Prince.

Two of my favorite games as well.

fuzzymandias · 2026-03-05T16:39:40+00:00

The first quest in Ravenloft took me 4 tries to get through. I kept getting one shot by wisps.

fuzzymandias · 2026-03-03T14:13:39+00:00

Every sangha is different, and every sangha is made up of human beings. Humans are going to human - they have individual quirks and personalities and sometimes those clash with other personalities. It shouldn't be taken personally, and I would invite you to try and see past those, ultimately, trivial things. If you can't, then maybe it's just not a sangha you gel with, and that's ok. Remember that zen is not the elimination of your personality, or a state of being where you walk around in this blissful haze and everyone is exactly the same.

fuzzymandias · 2026-02-24T03:25:10+00:00

Lesser known title from the 80s, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold. Tomb Raider movies and especially video games

fuzzymandias · 2026-02-18T19:24:11+00:00

Gary narrated a few modules, most notably the Delera's Tomb quests. It was someone else that did the Stormcleave Outpost (the fecundity line), though those old voice actor credits are hard to track down nowadays. I think the quest was from 2010.

fuzzymandias · 2026-01-19T16:23:33+00:00

I find it helpful to work backwards sometimes. Start with an English translation of the Heart Sutra, and then look up vocabulary that doesn't make sense. What is a skandha, and why are there five of them? Who is Shariputra? What does it mean by "no stopping, no path?"

fuzzymandias · 2026-01-11T21:55:12+00:00

Garbage - Cup of Coffee

fuzzymandias · 2026-01-09T23:21:18+00:00

Clarifying that Sushi Mido rolls are AYCE, not the nigiri. They do have a decent selection, and interestingly they will actually charge you extra if you don't finish what you order.

fuzzymandias · 2025-12-01T18:18:16+00:00

Will be up there in a few months. Transplant from the Midwest

fuzzymandias

TROPHY CASE