The April moon was so bright that I only rarely had to use a flashlight while walking to and from my cabin up the hill. The breeze coming down the mountain sometimes blended seamlessly with the sound of cars whizzing down the nearby road. On the last night, the moon hid behind the clouds and it rained for the first time, gentle and almost warm. Even behind the gauzy cloud-cover, it still shone.

It was a strong sesshin for me, despite (or because of) the Spring and its attendant allergies. It always takes a while for everything to settle in afterwards. I truly enjoy Zen training, even if it’s not always the easiest thing. I’m grateful to have the opportunity.