Courage.

This week’s topic for reflection is courage. A popular example of courage is the warrior or first responder running toward immanent danger to protect or help others. Courage could also mean humbly saying, “I need help.” It could be firmly saying, “Stop.” It also sometimes takes courage to face the truth of the situation we find ourselves in.

It takes a certain amount of courage just to deal with everyday life. I think this is true for everyone. It’s not easy to deal with the challenges, responsibilities and choices of life. It’s helpful to know we are not alone in this. There is help all around us, seen and unseen. All we need to do is reach out. As I laid in the hospital bed, people regularly came into my room to attend to me. Without exception when they left they said to me, “If you need anything, push the button.” I needed to practice this and I got better at it. The difficulty of life is not something that can be fixed or eliminated. Life will always be difficult. And joyful, especially when we reach out to others. When Senkei was very sick in the I.C.U. after her very difficult spine surgery, as her doctor was leaving the room, Senkei told her she was beautiful. Her Doctor turned around and looking at Senkei responded, “You are beautiful too.” Love makes this recognition of beauty possible.

Courage needs to be balanced with patience and stability. This is simple to do, and sometimes needs to be repeated frequently. Simply take the time to exhale. Allow yourself to become centered, relaxed and open. Inhale and then exhale. Consciously. Deliberately. Let it go. Let it be. Allow a little space to be okay.

Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81161003357?pwd=M0gwRjBENHZDbndUcFRrK004NlQ5Zz09

Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357

Passcode: 278259

Gassho,

Futai