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Gateless gate; Tassajara Zen Mountain Center entrance bridge.
Contacting the deeper constant.
“In the recesses
between the words
in the margins
of favorable fact
under the performed surface
contact the deeper constant
derived from
the alluvial grounds
of being”
—Maria Popova, Divinations for Uncertain Days
Last couple of weeks have been a proper pilgrimage. Taught with Rev. Shōren Heather at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, saw Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler’s Sunday dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm, visited two dear teachers in their homes. So many ceremonies absorbed, still metabolizing, preparing for this moment as I write to you.
On the ground at the Tea House at Green Gulch Farm, above; Dear teacher’s home altar, below.
Post-Op Jimmy.
James had a long-anticipated spinal surgery a couple days ago; recovery proceeding well. Just prior to retrieving him at the hospital, I pause, stand at my home altar, stare into my mom’s eyes, ask her aloud what i need to know for this next period of caretaking, and draw a card from the Daily Ceremony deck as I do every day. Pulled the “Ceremony” card. Ceremonies everywhere. The card from Maria Popova’s Divinations deck, quoted above, holds it all. "Contact the deeper constant" no matter what I’m doing these days.
Reset the bed, prepare the food, get him walking.
Ask more questions.
Lots of skin on skin time (thank you Sara Szal MD).
Administer meds. Note dosage, timing.
Call the MD when pain grows acute. Learn it’s just the nerve waking up.
Note, he can feel his toes now. HE CAN FEEL HIS TOES!
Homeopathy. Music. Lay still next to him. Discuss lyrics.
Call friends, more laughter. Tears.
Feel frustration. Offer self empathy. Own it. Do it over.
Repeat.
The temples have come home with me, this feeling I’m sharing is one of being resourced and even, at times, relaxed. Everything is included in this experience, no part need be left out. Even when he’s wincing, even when I’m feeling overwhelm.
Where are your unexpected ceremonies?
Last highlights from last week’s pilgrimage.
Sat with Cecily Mak (above) for a talk about Undimmed and Hold Nothing—engaging with the good people of Mill Valley in an unforgettable ceremony of truth, inquiry, love and support. Saw my Dad… what a blessing.
And lastly, sitting around the table with these legends (below) was one of the simpler and more life-affirming ceremonies of our travels. Here, our post-dinner walkabout selfie with Sara Szal MD, her man Brad, my Jimmy, and our dear friend and teacher Frank Ostaseski, author of The Five Invitations, with closing conclusions for today:
Hang with your people.
Love deeply.
Take the time to be present.
See you at Telluride Yoga Festival June 25th-28th, the MDs at Upaya in mid-July for the Inner Practice of Medicine, and finally I’ll be at Esalen in September with Tracee Stanley, Ally Bogard and Crystal Marie Higgins (almost full).
See you in North Carolina at Firecreek Retreat in October (also almost full), and cannot wait for my hometown MEA weekend in Santa Fe for a few days in early November. Couple rooms remain in Costa Rica Innermost Wisdom December as well.
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