Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

More subtle shifts as I settle back into routines here: appreciating the lighter feeling from eating simpler and healthier foods than what we mostly ate while traveling – lots of pub food with chips / fries. Also noticing the shedding of my English vocabulary, that I had dusted off and worn comfortably for the duration of the trip, and returning to Americanisms, to be more easily understood here. Noticing that I don’t need to think about putting lights on my bike for the journey from work, or from a roam that gets me home by 5:30. 

The temperatures have been creeping upwards, especially in the morning, which makes the difference between wearing a hat and gloves on the bike or not. The afternoons, even with a little bit of drizzle, and hazy clouds, feel just a touch warmer. It was pleasant to be out in the Botanical Garden with a group of fourteen (many of the people who had signed up on Meetup did not come, as is pretty typical). I wouldn’t say that the magnolias were at their best – maybe they look better against a blue sky, but everyone enjoyed the tour. I expect slightly balmier weather for the upcoming roams, though I don’t think I am quite ready to transition to shorts yet.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how we can possibly respond to the current political situation in the US. It seems that many people are still behaving as if it’s the1990s – or even the 1960s – with the norms still intact, and demonstrating out in the streets having impact on how things are viewed. And then  I think of all the zen sayings that seem to just promote detachment and where these seems deaf to the current circumstances I am reluctant to push those messages. I think we always have to lead with the heart, no matter what. And, as I expanded in my Wednesday class, our practice is good for that, as it helps us see clearly and honestly what is in our heart.