Posted inDharma, Dogen, General News & Announcements, Valerie's Messages

Message from Valerie: Gratitude

July 6, 2023

Continuous practice, day after day, is the most appropriate way of expressing gratitude.

~ Eihei Dogen

The summer sesshin at Mountain Cloud ended on Sunday. The sesshin opened with a line from Dogen: “When you walk in the mist, you get wet.” Six days later, soaked in the dharma, the week of shared practice culminated in expressions of thanksgiving. At Mountain Cloud, we celebrated with a feast of delicious food prepared by master chef, Nic, in the true spirit of a Tenzo. Thank you, Nic!
 
Thanks ring out to everyone who made this week of deeply sustained practice possible. To the staff, residents, and to MCZC members who volunteered their support in all kinds of ways: thank you. And to each one who participated – in the zendo, in the cloud. Your presence and your practice supported us all, shining jewels in a wide net that extends beyond the frame of sesshin.
 
Gratitude comes up for the 10,000 myriads details of our lives. Zazen – embodying and exploring the way of ‘practice-realization’ – can also spawn unconditional gratitude. Either way, continuous practice, day after day, is the most appropriate expression that endless unfolding. 
 
Give thanks – and keep practicing! 
 
With gratitude and love,  
Valerie

Photo by Rosie Kerr on Unsplash

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