Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

I took a relatively short ride on Sunday morning last weekend; in the space of a couple of hours, I watched the first sun lighting up the Golden Gate Bridge, saw surfers contemplating the surf at Ocean Beach, and caught sight of a coyote on Twin Peaks (having seen two on the roam of Glen Canyon a couple of days before). That same afternoon we roamed around quiet corners of the Presidio, seeing hawks and monarchs aloft in the gentle warm afternoon breeze. I really did feel like I lived in the best possible place.

And this is the best time of year – after our heatwave at the beginning of the month, we have once again settled into bright days, blue skies and warm sun. Best of all, none of the wind that barrels through the city most of the year, even if there is a chill around the edges.

After my preparation for the first Dogen class, I didn’t have to work so hard for the second. We went through some passages of Shobogenzo Zuimonki, and then the conversation took a slight detour, as we pondered how it is that we could carry the essence of what Dogen wrote about into our western lay lives. Through the week I have been reflecting on how to continue on the theme, and I hope that the participants again bring curiosity and wisdom for the discussion.

Right after the class my partner and I took Georgie the dog down to the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market in her buggy (she has short legs and doesn’t walk far), and from there onto a ferry to Jack London Square for a dog party. It was a great way to wind down from teaching, and, even apart from the joys of the market, the ferry, and the weather, I got another reminder that dog parties are the best parties; everyone is relaxed and happy with their canines. I didn’t have any responsibilities, so I could totally soak in the fun. There were so many other events we could have gone to over the weekend as well: a Coit Tower Anniversary, Slow Streets parties, Art Fairs, other markets. Life certainly feels good and rich at the moment.