The Agreement

~So a new chapter is in the works. I have spent the last 7 years dabbling around Buddhism and Zen. I claim to be Buddhist and I have been accepted as a student by Genpo Roshi. He is a very compassionate Zen Master located in Salt Lake.

~There are certain agreements and rules that apply to us all and everything we do. Funny enough, for years I have thought that if I did not verbalize this to anyone then I wouldn’t be held accountable. So I dabble at the Zen Center and I sit on my cushion at home. There never was a solid focus or direction with my meditation. I have not even spoken with Roshi in years.

~So recently I started visiting the Zen Center regularly. I ran into Roshi and he basically told me it was time to wake up. It’s funny how that statement can strike a person. The thought of sleep walking through life is a strange one. My friend Tui kind of got me started back at the center due to his curiosity.

~So I grab the instructions and start sewing my rakusu. I almost finish it when I decide to iron the wrinkles out. I ended up melting my sewing and frying my cloth. Who knew that you couldn’t iron everything on the highest setting? So I live and learn. I jump right back on the horse and start a new one. I’ve spent nearly 60 hours just hand sewing this sucker. (Because it all has to be hand sewn by me of course).At first I was annoyed by this. Why should I have to sew this thing together? I wasn’t even sure what it all meant. As I sat there hour after hour I soon discovered that making this rakusu was in fact meditation. That changed my view. As I continued sewing I started to enjoy it and even take some pride in my work. I discovered some reason to this cloth and felt good about it.

~Now I need to apply that thought to everyday activities and life. Attitude and view point can really adjust your reality. So I am finished. I am attending my first retreat starting April 18^th and going until May 2^nd. I am very excited. Two weeks of meditation and Zen conversation. Then during the retreat on April 30^th at 8pm I will participate in the Jukai Tokudo. It is the ceremony where I become part of Buddha’s lineage, accept the 16 precepts, and I receive my Dharma name from Roshi. I am finally verbalizing my agreement with the universe. And while this changes absolutely nothing (because I am already here, so I have to play by the rules anyhow), I still feel a sense of peace because it is such an important step for me. I feel good.