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STAY WHERE YOU ARE It’s a frightening trend sometimes in the news—you hear about someone trying to take a selfie, and they wind up walking over the edge of a cliff or stepping into traffic and getting themselves hurt. In a constant effort to reframe themselves in more and more beautiful circumstances, they forget where they are. And in forgetting where they are, they put themselves in danger. We might think our practice would exclude us from that, but it’s important from time to time to take a good look at where we’re actually standing. Take a look at the efforts we make to reform things, to beautify our circumstances in our mind’s eye. But when we return to where we actually are, when we step into the circumstances of our life as they present themselves, we don’t need to be concerned about the kind of damage that comes from not paying attention. So today, when you find yourself drifting off in that way—trying to place yourself somewhere more beautiful or serene than where you are—instead, return to the earth under your feet. Engage your hands and address the suffering that’s right in front of you. That’s the only way this transformational liberation will ever manifest—not just for you, but for everyone you encounter. Have a wonderful morning! #Zen #Meditation #Mindfulness #Dharma #Awakening

We often think of Zen practice in a stylized way. But "service" is ultimately the same in the Buddha Hall and on the job site. All of it is included, and all of it is a source of joy and awakening if we appreciate it fully. This isn't a dress rehearsal–it is your life! Practice all of it!

WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Issan Howl Stephen’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, presence, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Issan (一山)—One Mountain—a name that reflects the quiet strength and grounded stability he embodies each day as a practitioner and member of this community. A mountain does not move for praise or blame. It remains, enduring the shifting conditions of the world without losing its place. In this way, Issan meets each moment not with resistance, but with a steady and open presence—returning again and again to what is here. Like the bodhisattvas who remain with what is difficult, he continues to show up with sincerity and care, offering himself fully to the Way and to others. Congratulations, Issan! May your vow continue to deepen and support all those whose lives you touch. 🙏
#OneRiverZen #Jukai #BodhisattvaPath #SotoZen #PracticeTogether

TOUCH THE WONDER BEYOND EXPECTATIONS In our practice, it can be tempting sometimes to consider a state of wonder, or not knowing, as some sort of handicap—something to be avoided. We desperately want to know. We have expectations, and we want them to be met. The issue isn’t that the world will fail to live up to our expectations and we sit there and think that our expectations are something golden. If we even look at them, our expectations aren’t particularly ambitious. There’s still a lot of suffering involved there, a lot of falling short, a lot of compromise. But if we allow ourselves to ease comfortably into wonder, we’ll recognize that life itself presents many, many more opportunities, and is much more vast, boundless, and buoyant than any expectation. So watch today when you have expectations creeping subtly in, and try to look beyond them. Maintain your wonder. It’s the only way you’re going to be exposed to the truth of what this awakened life is. Have a wonderful morning. I look forward to seeing all of you first thing in the morning tomorrow for meditation.Take care. #Zen #Meditation #Mindfulness #Dharma #Awakening

BE THE MEDICINE REQUIRED Good morning and welcome to the dawn of a brand new, beautiful day. As we sit at the beginning of a vista like this, many of us are already projecting our thoughts forward—perhaps anticipating wonderful things, dreading what is coming up, or simply expecting the “same old, same old”. But if we are clinging to any sort of expectation, we lose the wonder required to approach our day with the compassion necessary to truly step into the circumstances of our lives. This morning, it is important that we look at the “jail cells” of our minds where we hold our expectations and judgments, and finally open them up to be aired out. This is the only way we can see what is actually in front of us and, even more importantly, dissolve ourselves into the work at hand. I invite you to cultivate a sense of deep wonder today and be astonished at everything that arises. Be the medicine required to see the suffering you encounter transformed. #ZenMind #DailyMeditation #Mindfulness #Presence #Compassion

WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Jōnin’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, patience, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Jōnin (定忍)—Settled Endurance—a name that reflects the quiet strength and consistency he embodies each day as an artist, a father, and a practitioner. In a life that asks for continual presence, Jōnin meets each moment not with force, but with a gentle and enduring commitment. Like the bodhisattvas who remain with what is difficult, he returns again and again, offering care without hesitation. Congratulations, Jōnin. May your vow continue to deepen and support all those whose lives you touch. 🙏 #OneRiverZen #Jukai #BodhisattvaPath #SotoZen #PracticeTogether

APPRECIATE THE LIFE THAT IS PRESENTING ITSELF RIGHT NOW I’ve said this many times before, but ultimately this practice isn’t something separate. This practice is the very practice of our own life. Zen mastery is the mastery of our own circumstances. And so we often say, “I’ll make more time for practice when things are going well.” I’ll practice more when I can take a vacation, catch my breath, or get past this deadline. Not realizing, of course, that catching your breath — or racing toward the deadline — is your practice. So if we really want to summarize what this practice is about, once we have some degree of realization — once we recognize that practice means placing our attention with intention — then the practice begins to actualize. And the actualization of this practice is very simple: Appreciate your life. Not the life you wish you had.
Not the life you’ll have someday. Appreciate the life that is presenting itself right now. Even in the midst of challenges — or maybe especially in the midst of challenges — put a big smile on and walk bravely into them. Really appreciate what is being brought forward. You won’t always have that opportunity. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #mindfulness #presentmoment #oneriverzen

SIT WITH WONDER AT YOUR OWN “SCAREDNESS” If we look carefully at the contours of our karmic landscape — the way things present themselves in our lives — we’ll notice that much of it is defined by fear. The boundaries between self and other, between this and that, between good and bad, mine and yours — all of it is often created through aversion or fear. So it makes sense that a big part of our practice is becoming very wise about how we approach fear — this unseen force that is constantly shaping our actions. Today, when you notice aversion, when you notice the urge to push something away, or when you find yourself scared of something, try something different. Walk into it. Approach your fear with curiosity. Sit with wonder at your own “scaredness.” That’s the only way you’re going to master the dialectic that is constantly trying to control your life and your ability to engage freely. You may find that when you examine fear closely — when you draw near to the very thing that scares you — the boundaries between yourself and other begin to soften. The things that once seemed insurmountable begin to appear much more clear. But it requires doing the opposite of what you’re inclined to do. Instead of turning away, draw close. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #mindfulness #fearless #oneriverzen

YOU CAN PUT ALL THAT DOWN It’s easy for us, when we’re caught in the discursive mind — the goal-seeking mind — to feel like we’ve lost our way. We keep repeating to ourselves: I’ll be okay when. I’ll be okay when things at work are going better. I’ll be okay when my partner finally sees the light and the relationship changes. When we feel like we’ve lost our way, we often try to retrace our steps and see where we went wrong. But more often than not, we just wind up going around in circles, seeing the same sights again and again, and never quite arriving. Today, just realize you can put all that down. You’re already standing precisely where you need to be. There’s no need to retrace your steps. There’s no need to go looking somewhere else. The practice you’ve been called to is the practice that’s right before you. And you’re already okay. In fact, you’re more than okay. So put your hands to work with what’s presenting itself. You’ll see that even the suffering in front of you can be transformed into nourishment for everything and everyone you encounter. Just stop wandering off and going in circles. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #sotozen #mindfulness #oneriverzen