Pack up camp, fill our water bottles
hoist our packs
find our direction and path
comment on the weather and nice surroundings
chat about work and life

the ascent kicks in
gentle plod turns to paced uphill steps

trees are left behind, chat is left behind
the going gets steep and rough
concentrate on the steps
boots tramping on stone and mud
no, feet caressing the ground with each pace

footfalls, step, step, step
uphill

one foot after the other
the rhythm
observing the body working, the feet moving – as if from the outside
where is the self, where is the foot, where is the ground, the mountain?
the body is moving, the mind is still, what is “I”?

I am the footfall, I am the ground beneath, I am the rhythm
true nature.

Mark Kakushin Westmoquette

Hiya, If you’ve ever felt held-back by fear, if you’ve ever avoided following your heart, if you’ve ever backed-away from stepping into something new and perhaps a little unknown, then you might be interested in what we have coming up.

The Japanese Zen teacher, Suzuki Shosan (1579-1655), a battle-hardened samurai who became a monk later in life taught his students, ‘True ‘no-thought, no-mind’ zazen is just one thing – to have a fearless mind.’

He developed a unique style of teaching and practice which emphasized fearlessness, freedom and complete engagement with life. He particularly urged his students to squarely face the koan or spiritual problem of death.

In October 12-17 we have a Zen retreat at Anam Cara in Scotland where we will be exploring Shosan’s teachings to transcend your deepest fears so that you can become freely able to shape your most authentic and satisfying life. There are only 12 places available. It’s suitable for new people as well as experienced practitioners. You can register at http://www.anamcara.org/. Please come and join us. Life is short. Let’s really live before time runs out.

Best wishes Daizan

A quote from the teachings of the Buddha:

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was living among the Sakyans. Now there is a Sakyan town named Sakkara. There Ven. Ananda, his assistant, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, “This is half of the holy life, lord: noble friendship, noble companionship, noble camaraderie.”

“Don’t say that, Ananda. Don’t say that. Admirable noble, noble companionship, noble camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life.”