Driving home from Zen Mountain, even with stiff legs and a complaining back, is always a good thing. There’s something appropriate about having the space between the monastery and my apartment, and while there’s actual mental distance between the two, the transition in time is useful. If nothing else, it gives me a chance to slowly adjust from being turned inward - and a place that encourages introspection - to the myriad distractions and pulls. The weather matched this theme perfectly yesterday; I left Mount Tremper with a brilliant sun and sky, and as I descended to Boston, I met gloom, then snow, then in Somerville a snowy-slushy-raining mix. I need new wiper blades.

I’d talk a bit about my experience of sesshin, if people were interested, because I sometimes feel like I’m talking around it, and there is so much more to it than just meditating for 8 or 9 hours a day. If anyone would like that, let me know, and I’ll try to write up something.