Greetings to Everyone,
My name is Don Anderson and now Live on
the Central Coast, NSW, Australia where I moved in 1995 after I returned to
Australia having lived and worked overseas for over twenty years. I became
interested in Zen originally in the 1970’s while studying karate in the UK with
a traditional teacher who emphasised meditation as a key factor in the
training. I then read books by Allan Watts and Christmas Humphreys which
cultivated my interest in Buddhism further.
A busy time with a family and career
which included time in the military, motorsport and later the directorship of
several companies meant I lost touch with my studies and it was only my
continued participation in martial arts that drew me back to meditation from
time to time.
After I returned to Australia I became
CEO of a large firm but always felt that there was something missing from my
life. The corporate world was stressed and I always felt uncomfortable with the
pressure and the effect on myself and my colleagues. Deciding to work overseas again
I then spent two years working in the Middle East and Africa in many interesting
but often dangerous places but that along with overwork left me more stressed
and generally unhappy with life.
Luckily I found a local meditation group
and started regular meditation which turned things around for me in a very
short time and soon I was happy and enjoying life again. I began attending
other schools of Buddhism and their classes and after a time was asked to teach
meditation to beginners and courses on using Buddhist practice to deal with
stress, anxiety and depression. I also taught general subjects relating to
Buddhism as I had taken the precepts and further vows. I am thankful that the
teaching made me understand so much about myself and Buddhism in general and
helped others but I still felt that something was missing for me personally and
I also struggled to accept some of the more traditional teachings and philosophy
I heard.
I then heard of and attended the Silky
Oak Zendo and met our teacher Hoka Matt Lawther and felt at home and among
friends immediately. To me Zen is about the experience and not just the philosophy
and I soon realised that Silky Oak Community provided me with the spiritual
path I was seeking and I soon committed myself to further practice as a student.
I am very happy to have finally found the
type of teachings I was seeking and needed and to be part of the Boundless Mind
Zen School.
Yours in Dharma
Don Anderson
