Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

People spoke of rain last week, but it didn’t  happen then. Now, the week the clocks go back, it has dipped below 50° for the first time in San Francisco; after only wearing long trousers during the summer when I had to show up looking like a professional, I reluctantly made the switch from shorts on Tuesday. Leaving for the 8 o’clock meditation session that day just before the sun came up, there was a crisp fall feeling to the still clear morning. Even during the day, while the sun felt warm still, in the shade there was a little nip of cold. On Wednesday night, I could hear dripping in the drains – a few millimetres fell, with the same expected on Friday night. Otherwise there are the wide and beautiful skies typical of this time of year.

I have enjoyed my many meditations this week, and am looking forward to one last conversation in the Dogen class. For all the pre-election jitters (which I will share my thoughts about next week), I seem to be in a stable and relaxed place in my life, which is comforting.