Roshi Bernie Glassman delivered another take on the bodhisattva at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat from May 6-12, 2011.
He delivered a dharma talk on “Becoming a Mensch.”
What is a mensch? My dad used to point out that this person was a mensch.
What did he mean? It was a person with the qualities of loving kindness, gentleness, generosity, and a willingness and ability to raise the spirits of anyone they come in contact with.
Roshi Bernie Glassman says that someone who practices love and devotion not only to the guru, but to everyone is a mensch – a boddhisattva! “A mensch does not know that he or she is a mensch.”
Watch this short video to hear it in his own words.
I have been lucky enough to know a number of menschen in my life. My paternal grandfather, Morris Sandmel, was a mensch. He lived until he was 96 and outlived six wives!
Leo McKinley, my chemistry teacher was a real mensch. He inspired me to go into science in a big way.
Then we come to Swami Rama, Dr. Arya (now Swami Veda Bharati), Father Eli, Rajneesh, Gabrielle Roth, and Thich Nhat Hanh are all menchen that I have had great learning and personal contact with.
The truest mensch of all is my wife, Mala. She is a true giver and a lover of all people.
So, my question to you is who are the menschen in your life?
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The Dude and the Zen Master
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