Quick notes from the top of the morning…
Occupied by a sore leg, mental agitation, differences of opinion, strife in Gaza and in little corners of myself, and then suddenly word that a baby has been born to friends, a girl, earlier than expected but all is well. The father says he is the « happiest of men. »
A fine message to help me « enter » the day’s action.
Throughout yesterday and again today, I remind myself to breathe.
Retreat in the Heart of Life, Day III
About the Author: zenscribe
Enseignante Zen et poète, Sensei Amy “Tu es cela” Hollowell est née et a grandi à Minneapolis, aux Etats-Unis. Arrivée en France en 1981 pour étudier la littérature et l’histoire, elle y est restée, s’installant à Paris, où elle élève ses deux enfants et gagne sa vie en tant que journaliste.
The Zen teacher and poet Amy “Tu es cela” Hollowell Sensei was born and raised in Minneapolis, but came to France in 1981 to study literature and history and has lived in Paris ever since, raising her two children and making a living as a journalist.
day 4 already here reaching the end (east timor). across the globe others start. ending and starting not so different. together we practice. and what do i see. it is very simple. as Henry David Thoreau said: simplify, simplify
and what do i say? tiime to go home. on the way, stop at the shop to buy some food. have a nice day
Bonjour, c’est un plaisir d’etre ensemble avec vous tous (6.30-Lisbon)
je suis etait assize le premier periode le matin, moi et les deux chats; maintenaint je doit me diriger vers des autres textures … part de l’unity … "including" le marché oú je vais acheter des fruits pour faire de la confiture ……. une bonne journé pour vous……..
"To include means to become aware of the presence of unity"
walking in oporto in the afternoon, just after another physiotherapy session, watched the leaves falling gently to the ground. Everything so quiet in the city. As I closed up to my car i noticed a flyer in the windshield, it reads: "Psychic Professor solves all your problems at the distance, results guaranteed! Do not suffer anymore." Amazing World.
Lunch with my stepdaughter and her 3-year-old daughter, tentatively including them in the experience of the retreat. Usually it’s a separate thing. Then the Hopper exhibition this evening with a friend. How to include that in the retreat? But Hopper’s paintings, with their pregnant pauses and eloquent emptiness, and the wonderful play on light made it easy: not really "sitting" but being attentive and inclusive – open, somehow. Then coming home and finding your comments. Feeling blessed.
Was this a failed day? Is that concept even possible? Feeling you feeling me, at distance, and vice versa, is indeed something new. But taking practice into work is showing to be most challenging. Early wake-up. Rushing to Lisbon for a work meeting. We flew… on car. The police caught us speeding. The time we saved by speeding was lost. Money too. Were was my mind by then? The we "flew" back again. We didn’t learn any lesson, we simply rely on luck. I am becoming more aware on how rarelly I am aware. Two steps forward, one step back. Still, I am moving. Thank you all. Gassho.
Life is beautiful, thank you all for your support. Happy to be sitting with everyone, wherever they may be (right here!)
the awareness did not come easy today, finding myself trapped in thoughts, and having a hard time recognising them for what they are… the breath so far away.
I did not sit this evening but all the same i was there with you… funnily enough at a concert of a quartet called Mujô, imparmanence in japanese, very appropriate and helpful somehow… listening to each note, each silence, just being here.
Just came from the evening sitting, straight to the computer to write these few words. The ticking of a recently acquired alarm clock, the sounds of the neighbors parking their cars and entering the buildings. So much happening all the time! So many people included. On writing these words, got interrupted by a friend, and she too is now a part of all this. I bow to you all. Good night.
"Sat" on the tube this afternoon with the world – people standing, others sitting, some reading or sleeping. All of us there swinging from side to side as the carriage moved towards the station. An exercise of including and awareness. Glad you were all there with me!
Dear all,
once again an afternoon sitting time, delighted to share this with you.
A good night helped me recover totally…had a big samu this morning: cleaning the apartment floor. My four year old son helped cleaning up the toys and wanted to hoover his room on his own. I was touched by his helpfulness and tenderness.