Two Arrows Meeting in Midair:
A Four-Week Exploration of the Sandōkai | 參同契

The Sandōkai—“Harmony of Difference and Sameness”—is a foundational text of Sōtō Zen, composed by Sekitō Kisen in the 8th century and chanted daily in temples across the world. More than just a philosophical treatise, it is a living invitation: to bring the essence of awakening into the ordinary rhythms of our lives.

This four-week class takes its name from the striking image found within the text—two arrows meeting in midair—symbolizing the meeting of ultimate and relative truths, the dance of form and emptiness. What happens when we stop holding these as opposites and begin to live from their union? It is here, now, alive in this very breath.

Through deep study, daily reflection, and shared dialogue, we’ll explore the alchemical potential of this text: how realization transforms when it is not held apart, but fully embodied in the world.

Course Details:

• Weekly classes held Thursdays, in-person and online

• Daily emails, Monday through Friday, unpacking the text in practical, integrated steps

• Online Discussion Group for shared insight, engagement, and real-world application

Classes will be recorded and made available to all participants.

Whether you're sitting with us in the zendo or tuning in from afar, you're warmly invited to this shared inquiry—where realization meets the ordinary, and something luminous is revealed.