The May 3-day Zen meditation retreat had all four seasons in it. Rain on the first day. Fresh snow on the mountain on the second day. Warm sun in the garden on the third day.
Nothing was extra. Nothing was missing.
On the first day we cooked, cleaned, cut back the hedge, pulled weeds, and sat together. This is not separate from meditation. When the hands work, the mind can also become quiet. Rain falls. The hedge is cut. The food is prepared.
On the second day we went into the mountains for walking meditation. Down in the valley it was rainy spring. Higher up, the forest became misty, then white, and very quiet. Each step had to be taken completely. If the snow was deep, the snow was deep. If the clouds opened, the clouds opened.
On the third day we returned to the garden. The soil was carried, the plants were placed, and the temple grounds were cared for. After the mountain, after the sitting, after the snow, there was simply this: one plant, one handful of soil, one breath.
This is retreat practice. We do not wait for a special place or a special state of mind. We give our full attention to what is already here.
Let’s give our best one more time.
