Awakening this morning to the faint scent of fire raging about two hundred miles south. After torrential June rains overnight, the redolence has somehow collected in our home; opening the doors this morning, the air mercifully clears. A distant rainbow seems to be resting on a mountainside miles away, greeting me.
I’ll show you the rainbow later, at the end. First, driving to the zendo for the 7am sit.
Upaya Zen Center, during today’s visit; explore virtual study at Upaya here.
Carrying my cushion and rakusu just above my heart, walking mindfully down the summer-verdant paths, silently bowing to my tree friends. The han (wooden sounding board) calls us to sit. The sweet wafts of incense. The inviting energy of our teachers and resident friends.
Tidying my cushion, settling my body, quieting my breath. When I’m not in residence, this shift from life to zazen takes a moment. Encountering the stillness in the room feels as though my brain might be audible, in any case louder than even the most vociferous of the crickets in the grass outside.
Insights quietly arrive, surprising me. Sharing them with you below, along with a short meditation and reading.
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