For the first time in years (and a few weeks late), I don’t have any project work. I’ll have some more in May (not as much as previously), but until then my time is my own, such as it is. I’m sitting sesshin all next week, and in conjunction this week, sesshin, and the week after next is a perfect opportunity for gathering myself together. There’s still a lot to be done, so it’s hardly a vacation, but there is enough space in my schedule that I can be mindful of what I’m doing.

There has been much reading! Earlier this week I thoroughly enjoyed The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci, a simple and powerful book which I highly recommend, and another book which will not be named and which was ready to be given away before I read the final page. At the moment I am working my way through Robert Aitken’s The Mind of Clover and Albert Low’s edition of Hakuin on Kensho, both which I’ll likely have to read a few dozen times in the upcoming years. They’re both steeped in Zen, which tends to read differently than any other printed matter I’ve encountered in my life.

Zen is very difficult to talk about, even for people who have been practicing for years. It’s often frustrating that I’m unable to communicate how much it excites and inspires me, let alone why it excites and inspires. I do my best, as it’s all I can do, but I apologize for any past and future attempts that fall short.