Mt. Equity this past weekend...

My weekend at Mt. Equity Zen Monastery was enjoyable. As always, I learned a lot about myself and what needs my greater attention and practice. The biggest thing that came up was the need to pull my awareness up out of my own self-centered concerns and be more attentive to the needs of those immediately around me. This was most evident at meal times when I neglected to pass certain food items that others hadn't received yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm not beating myself up, I'm just glad for the awareness of this as something I need to look at deeper within myself.

Sitting in the zendo with everyone else, I was able to feel stronger and more resolved within my own sitting practice. As Rev. Dai-En teaches, the "wattage" of our zazen is increased so much when we all sit together. I could actually feel it this time around. I could especially feel it when about half way through the sitting, right when my body is ready to give up and be done with it all, by just relaxing into the present moment and returning to my breath, almost miraculously I was able to continue on without the internal discord. It was a very encouraging feeling. I feel my practice energized by my experiences this weekend and it feels WONDERFUL!! I pray that I will be able to continue to bring this renewed energy to my cushion at home and within my everyday practice of my daily activities.

Peace to you. _/|\_