At the heart of both spring and winter ...

[Jundo]

.
Nothing that I am about to say is original in the least ...


The one true refuge and peace is to leap through all thoughts of coming and going, birth and death, sickness and health, ups and downs. In Zazen, one can know our still and flowing nature at the heart of it all, at the center of all opposites. Our lives seem to come and go, fortunes rise and fall, time appears to tick away, yet there is this which never comes nor goes, can never be lost or gained, is not measured by time. Here, there is no getting older, no illness or despair, even as we live in this world where all that seems to be the case. Yes, there is fear sometimes in our lives ... but also this taste of nothing to fear at all, of some treasure which can never be lost, a view where there is no passing. Sometimes, when we are very frightened, it is possible to be in this place as our shelter, and fear falls away as the storm blows all around us. I have often taken shelter here.


Some call this "Buddha," or by 10,000 other names or no name at all. Sometimes we can experience so, feel this so clearly, and other times we can only trust or go on vague memory ... but it is so.


In the meantime, here in the world, let us help each other and be kind. Please comfort those who are afraid or need help, offering a gentle word or a hand. Appreciate this life, and this rare opportunity that events have given us to take stock and slow down. It will be okay. Try to feel a profound gratitude for ... or, at least, a respectful acceptance of ... ALL OF IT, THE WHOLE SHOW, even the moments and aspects that we struggle with. Allow with equanimity the times which scare or sadden us. Springtime follows the winter, and the world finds its ground and leaps back to life.


What is at the heart of both spring and winter, yet unbound by all passing seasons?


When I am afraid and hurting, this is my comfort too.

[Doshin]

Doshin
St

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Roshi.
Gassho,
Mateus
Sat today/LAH

[Jundo]

I am going to post this here too. My friend Ed just put it up, just stunning ...

Prayer for a Pandemic: (Author Unknown)

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of the Universe/Buddha Nature/God... to our neighbors.
--- Author Unknown

[Kotei]

Thank you.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Onka]

Gassho
Onka
Sat today

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[vanbui]

So much wisdom and the profundity of zazen

Deep bows
Gassho _/\_

Van
Sat/Lah

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[Naiko]

Krista
st/lah

[Kokuu]

Beautiful. Right to the heart as usual.

Thank you, Jundo

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Tairin]

Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Rich]

Beautiful! Thanks


Sat / lah


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[Michael Joseph]

Thank you.

Gassho,

Hobun

STLAH

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[Washin]

Gassho
Washin
st-lah

[Horin]

So beautiful.

Gassho

Ben


Stlah

Enviado desde mi PLK-L01 mediante Tapatalk

[Shoki]

Thank you. Even if I realize this in a few fleeting glimpses during the course of the day, thank you.

Gassho
STlah
James

[Seibu]

Thank you for this gem

Gassho,
Seibu
Sattoday

[Heiso]

Thank you, Jundo. Just what I needed to hear today.

Gassho.

Heiso
StLah

[Kyōsen]

No mud, no lotus.

Gassho
Kyōsen
Sat|LAH

[Ippo]

Thanks Jundo!

Truly wonderful words!

Gassho,

Ippo

SatToday

[Jakuden]

Thank you Jundo Roshi.


Jakuden
SatToday

[Heisoku]

Thank you Jundo
Gassho
Heisoku
STLAH