Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘When we express our gratitude, we are recognizing that once again, to our surprise, the world still wants us and cares for us. The world invites us to be part of something larger than ourselves, to be a part of the whole.
When we say “thank you,” we are thanking the world that, in spite of everything, love continues. We are pleased and gratified, and the smile on our face and the energy in our voice confirms it.’ (Work as a Spiritual Practice)

This passage reminded me of how our practice of bowing to each other as we meet on the paths at Tassajara is often said to be expressing, silently, as we are most often in silence, ‘thank you – I’m sorry – I love you.’ Can you imagine saying that, even internally, to everyone you pass by today?