Returning Home, Quick Reflections

Got back from the conference earlier today and pulled up the old boat for the time being, metaphorically speaking. On my way out to Bald Eagle Lake to bike … but reflecting on a couple “take aways” from the conference.

One is that the are a lot of Zen teachers who are really right with themselves. I continue to find that reassuring.

Another reflection is from the inevitable conversations about mission statements, long-range plans, fund raising, etc., and the many thousands of hours that people in many groups put into these noble activities. However, I suspect that there are many other people, especially younger people, who are just not interested in groups that involve that kind of effort off the cushion (given past experience, cohort proclivities, interest in zazen or whatever), and the imbalance between the huge effort applied for very small outcome.

So it was also reassuring to find that there are at least several others interested and already exploring other models of teaching and organizing without getting bogged down in the typical nonprofit realms of boards, committees, sharing circles (the horizontal) or resorting to traditional power (the vertical).

That is where I’m going.

But first biking and dinner out.