Shinto, Tsubaki, Sarutahiko Ōkami and Me
Life has changed greatly for me since I last wrote in this blog and it's not appropriate to share everything so I won't. Suffice it to say that I've ended a relationship that wasn't working, started another, reconnected deeply with Zen practice and had the priviledge of participating in two Shinto purification ceremonies at Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Granite Falls, WA. I needed them. The Kosatsutakeageshiki ceremony of purification and burning of old amulets involved two sessions, one in December to absorb the bad energy of the previous year and another in January to ceremonially burn it. The belief is that our bad energies can be converted to a neutral form and returned to the earth. Having been through the ceremony I completely believe in its efficacy. I will not say what bad stuff I put onto the fire but it was consumed and I felt a great sense of relief as a result. There is a white arrow in my home in anticipation of the next year, it is absorbing the karmic energies of my life even as we speak. I will try not to abuse the arrow too much...
In September I attended a backpacking sesshin in the Cascades. It was run by Red Cedars Zen Center in Bellingham, WA. On the first night we held service under the cedars on Bob's land. Afterwards we participated in a sweat lodge ceremony nearby. I slept among the cedars that night and we all left the following day. We drove up behind Mt. Baker and ascended to Mazama Park under the Easton Glacier. On the way up we did a series of ceremonies honoring the spirits who inhabited that place. In Mazama Park at the top of the trail we set up camp and meditated for several days. On one day we ascended an old climbing trail to the glacier and went overland for awhile looking for a special lake that showed on the map but we never found. Oh well... that's hiking for you. I made some new friends and went much deeper into my practice. Definately will return next year.
During New Years I participated in sesshin at Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild, CA. The teacher there is Tenshin Charles Fletcher, one of 12 dharma heirs of Maezumi Roshi from the Los Angeles Zen Center. Tenshin and I connected on a number of levels. After a few days the air smelled clearer and I had a fantastic sense of clarity. It was nature, the birds, wildlife, deer and trees. During Samu (work practice) our team ran across a herd of seven deer with a young buck. I helped clear trash from the last of the construction, organize the facilities and cut firewood. Cut wood, carry water, wash your bowls. All great Zen koans, all part of my experience.
So what have I learned since I last posted here? Too much to list. Life goes on, everything changes, and that's ok. Sometimes we go down the wrong path for awhile and learn some lessons, that's ok too. In a month or two I will return to India and possibly to destinations beyond. My last trip was life changing, hopefully this one will be as well.
See you on the cushions and thanks for listening.
In September I attended a backpacking sesshin in the Cascades. It was run by Red Cedars Zen Center in Bellingham, WA. On the first night we held service under the cedars on Bob's land. Afterwards we participated in a sweat lodge ceremony nearby. I slept among the cedars that night and we all left the following day. We drove up behind Mt. Baker and ascended to Mazama Park under the Easton Glacier. On the way up we did a series of ceremonies honoring the spirits who inhabited that place. In Mazama Park at the top of the trail we set up camp and meditated for several days. On one day we ascended an old climbing trail to the glacier and went overland for awhile looking for a special lake that showed on the map but we never found. Oh well... that's hiking for you. I made some new friends and went much deeper into my practice. Definately will return next year.
During New Years I participated in sesshin at Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild, CA. The teacher there is Tenshin Charles Fletcher, one of 12 dharma heirs of Maezumi Roshi from the Los Angeles Zen Center. Tenshin and I connected on a number of levels. After a few days the air smelled clearer and I had a fantastic sense of clarity. It was nature, the birds, wildlife, deer and trees. During Samu (work practice) our team ran across a herd of seven deer with a young buck. I helped clear trash from the last of the construction, organize the facilities and cut firewood. Cut wood, carry water, wash your bowls. All great Zen koans, all part of my experience.
So what have I learned since I last posted here? Too much to list. Life goes on, everything changes, and that's ok. Sometimes we go down the wrong path for awhile and learn some lessons, that's ok too. In a month or two I will return to India and possibly to destinations beyond. My last trip was life changing, hopefully this one will be as well.
See you on the cushions and thanks for listening.
posted by Jeffrey at 10:26 PM
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