Chris, Thanks!
Yes, average-age varies with sanghas; right. And with geographic locales, and with teachers, too, I find. When I started formally I was 27, and most of the others in the sangha were about the same age. It's because the teacher had JUST come from China, and word was spread about his presence in America (New York City) on college campuses in Religion departments, and through general announcement flyers posted on campuses. I was lucky to see one of the flyers at Columbia, in the Physics Department where I worked! The teacher was 50 when I started with him. He lived and taught for another 29 years. In various sanghas I stayed long in, usually the only thing "doing" or going on, thankfully, was the Dharma: I'm glad I didn't meet with groups such as you mention who were overly sanguine about environmental affairs or civil rights. "Time-and- place!" I mean, surely there's a place for "Engaged Buddhism", but I never even liked the sound of that label. In general, though, I have nothing to say against Boomers, but nothing very much to say "for" them, either. I know too many of them "too" closely, to know that they're/we're nothing special. And, if they ARE special in some area (great artist, teacher, Yogi, or scientist), then they are ordinary in other areas, or even deficient in some. Well, a bit like all of us, and like everybody before us! You might say it's the human condition. ;-) I don't let myself off this same hook, either, mind you. California seems a "natural" place where sanghas will always be young, Chris. Anyway, I hope it is always so. And I hope the old folks stick with it and bring a good example for the young ones joining. Teachers say -- sometimes lamenting -- that "A teacher gets the students he/she DESERVES". We don't always get to choose. Maybe it's partly "karma". If I am to be a teacher, I think I'd much rather teach to quite young people: the way I teach is pretty physical, and I think older people are usually not ready for this. Younger people competently take it as more of a challenge that they can accept and work with, and can get results pretty soon with, to keep them going. With older folk, some remedial building-up needs doing, if the person is to take well to our sort of practice, and vice-versa. It's serious! Health takes time to regain, if it's had a chance to slide. In our teaching, Posture is a big thing; Exercises; Self-massage; and some special Yoga exercises. Plus, extended periods of slow Prostrations. This is *not* the Japanese way of teaching, but comes through my teacher from China, Sheng Yen. It is wonderful, but not "merely"-wonderful: it is a practical wonder, when a student can begin it and continue it. I hope I can still teach this to young people well into my 90s... as well as to continue to practice it myself. Chris, I think you are too old to start at age 44. It may be the over-the-hill-gang for *YOU*, Old Man! ;-) No, we find really that it is all up to the practitioner. Sheng Yen had people with him who were always older than he was at any time, though they might not have been newcomers. Ah, but you have a sangha and teacher. Already blessed! Strong practice, Thanks again, & Cheers, --Joe > Chris Austin-Lane <chris@...> wrote: > > In my Sangha in Maryland, I was one of the youngest. In California, about > half are younger than I. ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: zen_forum-dig...@yahoogroups.com zen_forum-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zen_forum-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/