Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘In the monastery we do physical labor and do a lot of sitting. There is time to feel what is happening. Even in the intensely structured schedule there is space to explore what is moving through us.  There are many many hours on the cushion. Our relationship to time shifts in this structured environment of waiting and exploring. We are bombarded by the immensity of the present moment, and if we are honest, it begins to permeate us more and more.

And there I found a teacher who could help me resonate more deeply with life.  He was connected with reality in profound ways, and through being with him and in that environment, through his connection to this more open and spacious relating with life, I was able to tune into my own way of ringing true with life.  This is a very physical and creative transformation process, and it takes time. But for some of us, we have no choice, we must realize it.  It is our only choice.  

I think what is important here is the type of curiosity which allows one to be led by mysterious forces.  Often in order to believe one can be led involves some severe illness, extreme experience, whereby our normal way of interacting with life has nowhere to land. This used to be what happened to someone who ended up being a healer or medicine person in a community. Their experience forced them to make contact with a deeper, connected aspect of life most people never touch. At wits end, and then something else lifts us up.’ (from the Zen Embodiment blog)