Take heed…

Take heed…

As with so many elements of our lives, the pandemic interrupted my regular participation in meditation retreat. In early December, I traveled to Sante Fe, NM and spent the week in silent meditation with 60 others (close to 200 online) at Upaya Zen Center. In Zen sesshin (sesshin translates as meeting the heartmind) days are spent alternating sitting and walking meditation, meals, labor, and rest; all conducted in silence. It was an amazing week. Particularly in heart tumult with the war in Israel-Palestine, I was so consciously aware of how few people in the world have the safety and resources to choose such opportunities.

Our lives are so very precious. There are so many, across the world who, in this moment, have neither safety of refuge nor basic food and water, most violently at this time our Palestinian human family, but also those fearing violent surges of anti-semitism, myriad forms of oppression and violence, as well as our human family living down the street in tents and on sidewalks.

There are beloved people in my circles who have died this year. There is one of my closest family who will not likely be with us this time next year. As I write, there is a friend in active labor birthing a new life. There are no guarantees for our lives at any moment. In retreat, at the end of each day, the sun having long drained from the stunning, vast sky, there is a passage read into the silence of the meditation hall. I offer it to you below. What ‘awaken‘ means is for each individual to discern and name for themselves. In the dusk of 2023, may you find social nourishment as well as hibernatory, reflective rest; rest supporting you to distill your heartmind‘s intention for this precious life.

“Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken.
Take heed, do not squander your life.”

~ 13th Century Zen Master Eihei Dōgen

With deepest warmth and invocation for your well being, and the well being of all beings in this world,

Zoe