Welcome 2024 - Words from the Teachers

Heiwa Peace calligraphy by Shinmon

Dear sangha friends,

We hope the holidays have been a time for rest, reflection and renewal for you, as well as time in the good company of family and friends. We know that the dark days of early winter can also be a time when the pain of loss and grief, personal and global, can weigh heavily. As we open to a New Year, this is a good time to allow the stillness of winter dormancy to heal our frayed edges and unattended places of hurt, to touch our deepest yearnings for peace, connection, and freedom from suffering. It's a time for each of us to renew our bodhisattva vows, so that our words and actions will emerge from a place of deep care for all beings. (Note Michael's Wednesday evening dharma seminar on The Power of Vow.) 

In the coming weeks we will each be taking some time for personal retreat and reflection, and we encourage you to include similar intervals, in whatever ways you can, in your days, weeks, months and year.  "Personal time" is a misnomer, because the ways we attend and care for ourselves, and the ways we are cruel to ourselves, extend outwards and onwards to others in ways we are largely unaware of. 

The past year has been one of great change for the Mountain Rain sangha, with the launching of our new practice space, Bright Stream Temple, and adapting to our new sesshin venue at Brew Creek Centre. So many of you have offered so much: time, volunteer work, thoughtful planning, and financial contributions, and most important, showing up to practice together, in-person and virtually. We want to express our deep gratitude to you all. When our energy flags, when we're feeling the age upon us (as Kate's mother used to say), all we have to do is come and sit in community, and be upheld by the sincerity of your practice. 

In the wider sphere, the past year has brought the ongoing anguish of wars, racialized and gender violence, homelessness and displacement, opioid deaths, economic, ecological and climate instability, all due to the complex effects of human greed, hatred and ignorance. And right in the midst of all that, all around the world are people acting with kindness and compassion, courage and creativity, responding to suffering beings. Our everyday Zen practice supports us to stay steady, and trust that how we live in this world matters. 

As a New Year's gift, here is a calligraphy by Shinmon of the Japanese word for peace, heiwa, for you to download (Click here), or you can pick up a copy at the Wall St. zendo.

Warm bows and wishes for peace and well-being to you and all beings, 
Myoshin Kate and Shinmon Michael