08/02/2026
One week ago today, the practice period came to an end. Sits were doubled, service was constant, and the journey encompassed a couple of weekend retreats, council practice, a Jukai ceremony, and a full five-day sesshin. We sat, always together, journeying together. And, along that journey, we sewed a brilliant quilt of many colors and patterns, patchy but brilliant nonetheless. We were all there to serve; we were all there to live. What a powerful period of practice, these 36 days. Perhaps, it wasn’t the practice period we wanted, but it was the one we needed! Isn’t that what Zen is? Thank you, Maestro Shinzan por enseñarnos el sendero. Thank you, sensei Shinzan for showing us The Way. Deepest bows to the sangha for bringing its full spectrum of flavors, to our teacher for guiding us through, and to the ancestors for carrying and preserving this tradition for more than 2,500 years!
