Kindergarten

Today was Amy’s first day of kindergarten. We all walked over together across the street to the elementary school this morning. She was SO excited, jumping and skipping all the way. It was so cute to see her that happy to be going to the ‘big kids’ school. Wow, our little girl is in kindergarten already!! Where did the time go?

Spirituality in the Blogosphere

Just wanted to pass on this recent article from Beliefnet: Beliefnet chooses the best blogs about religion and spirituality. There are tons of interesting blog's referenced. Have fun exploring!!

Get Thee to a Monastery

In a few hours I will be heading up to Mt. Equity Zen Monastery for weekend sesshin. Here's a quote that I will be keeping in mind as I anticipate the many wanderings of my mind during the several hours of sitting we'll be doing each day.

A monk was asked, "What do you do there in the monastery?" He replied, "We fall and get up, we fall and get up, we fall and get up."

~ St. Benedict

This is SO TRUE! Mind wanders and I bring it back to the breath, over and over again. The trick for me is to do this without judging the 'mind wandering' part.

Blooming Lotus

Came across this quote today that is rather poignant given my recent struggles to actually sit formally on a better than weekly basis. The imagery conveyed here actually brought a tear to my eye when I first read it. This is why I practice.

We sit to settle the self on the self and let the flower of our life force bloom.

~ Dainin Katagiri-roshi

Hidden Path

This path I thought I was on seems to be disappearing right before my eyes. The way seemed clearly marked at one time. But now the weeds are so over-crowding that I don't see a path forward anymore. I'm just standing here wondering what I do next. I'm just standing here so confused. Paralyzed. No way forward. No way back.

Things as it is

Oh, would you look at that, it's been a week since I lasted posted here. I've been pretty swamped at work and that is the main reason for the slow down in posts. Never fear, I am still here and thinking of you all. :-)

Here's a favorite quote of mine to chew on while I go try and finish up work on my current project:

If you look for the truth outside yourself,
it gets farther and farther away.
Today, walking alone,
I meet him everywhere I step.
He is the same as me,
yet I am not him.
Only if you understand it in this way
will you merge with the way things are.

~ TUNG-SHAN

Click the title link above to see the book I am currenly enjoying.

The Bodhisatva's Vow

Here is a version of the bodhisatva's vow that I just came across that I really, really like.

So long as space remains,
So long as sentient beings remain,
I will remain,
In order to help,
In order to serve,
In order to make,
My own contribution.

~ translated by The Dalai Lama

May I overcome my silly fears and truely learn to serve all of humankind, starting first with those I come in contact with each and every day.