Verifying the Way Mid Way

Here’s the group shot of those who studied together at Empty Hand Zen Center (thanks to Still Chuck, not pictured). Susan Jion Postal, abbot, is behind me and Dennis Shofu Keegan, priest, is to my left. Btw, the young person right next to Susan, age 15, sat the whole day with us manifesting the most wonderful attentiveness.

I’ve just skyped with a practitioner in the 100-days who reminded me that we’re at day 34. In the middle period of a practice period, like the middle period of a lifetime, our purpose can fade and old habits return. So give yourself a good shake, take full responsibility for slipping off (if you’ve done so), forgive yourself completely and then get going.

Keeping our heart’s innermost request near at hand, empty hand over the heart, can help sustain us through the difficult parts in the road. Investigating what this middle period is can also help cut through the haze as well as cut through the light. What is delusion? What is verification? What is Buddha? What is practice? What is sitting? What is breath?

What? is What!

And remember, when we are discouraged or lulled or tired or confused or second-guessing, it is also just so.

Capping Verse:

If you fall because of the ground, you rise always because of the sky, and it is altogether impossible to rise apart from the sky; if you fall because of the sky, you rise always because of the ground, and it is altogether impossible to arise apart from the ground.
– Dogen