Refuge and other News

With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,

 

The Refuge is quite overgrown.  Over the years since we lost our horses and sold our alpacas, and as we are no longer living here, but as a retreat, nature has had her way with the grounds.  I went out late yesterday afternoon for just a bit and took a scythe to the Russian Thistle and other weeds along the drive and at the gate. As I was doing this I surveyed the meadow, a place I had literally manicured with scissors and rode my horse, Shaker, across for hours.  The thistle is now in large, looming clumps taller than myself.  I found few flowers.  Though there were some. Yet, we had spread literally pounds of seed over the years. Nature simply has had her way.

 

So I wonder what it is that is actually overgrown?   The refuge land is, as it really should be, wild and free.  I would like to see a small garden of sorts in the old alpaca pen which is a fenced area around the front and side of the house itself.  I would also like to see the gate clear and the driveway, as well.  Perhaps also, a small area near the picnic area and fire pit. Otherwise, I think we should let nature have her own way.

 

From the scything, I worked on my book a bit, editing a few entries. I then turned my attention on Clear Mind Zen Sangha.  The Sangha home will be, of course, our small Zendo at our residence.  I am suggesting two sitting periods per week, on on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM and the other Saturday morning at 8:00 AM.  We will also offer streetZen's Meditation for Peace at the Federal Building at 4:30-5:30 PM on Wednesday afternoons. 

 

I revised our fliers, mission and membership information, and other materials which I will post to the files section of Zen Living at Yahoogroups shortly.

For those contemplative Jews in Las Cruces, I will continue to offer Hitbodedut on Monday evenings at Temple Beth El at 7:00 PM and teach my courses at the Academy on Sunday.  But I see this as pretty much the extent of things.

 

This morning I lit my candle and incense, sat down at on my cushion, and practiced zazen.  Serene Reflection Meditation, the Soto way, is so easy, yet so challenging.  Mental activity is a constant; distractions even here at the refuge are abundant, and now as I am working on this note, Pepper has retaken his place on my zabuton on the floor at the foot of the alter.

 

I hear his snoring and smile to myself.

 

Life is good.

 

Be well.