Re-entry

Bare reflections on Sesshin. Because I can't put it together in a coherent post right now, or maybe ever. Funny how some of them are like that. So instead I will share a few photos. I don't take photos during Sesshin, but these I took right after.

Found on the sidewalk Saturday evening, perfectly intact, appearing to be sitting nobly staring into the sunset. Alive or dead? I won't say.

Work practice this week was on the groundskeeping crew. Another woman and I were assigned to clean the rock gutters on either side of the Zendo. It took the whole week, and we still were not quite finished. Here is part of one side:
And another side.
This may not appear clear, but there are several yards of rocks that meet in a 'V' shape. The rocks allow rainwater to flow and soak into the ground, not puddle up on the sidewalks. There are two of these 'V' shapes on wither side of the Zendo.

The process of cleaning them is as follows:

Gathering a large bin, about two or three feet long, and a foot or two wide. Removing the rocks, filling bin about halfway with rocks. Adding water (blessedly warm water, brought by our crew leader, full of the kindness of Avalokiteshvara). Rinsing the rocks. Pulling up the screening beneath the large rocks, and removing all debris, weeds, seeds, sprouts, roots, grass clippings, scraps, and anything else not-rocks. Tending to the smaller gravel below, leveling and returning the screen. Then returning the rocks, clean, warm and steaming back to the gutter.

It is lovely to have a job with such visible dividends. And so audibly rich -- the sound of rocks -- rubbing, hitting, plunking. And one that allows the deep examination of the many worlds and communities of creatures we inevitably dislodged in the process of our work practice. Such a miracle. The spiders, pill bugs, worms, caterpillars, grubs, beetles and things were simply captivating.

I have a recurring fantasy of creating a photo project of Sesshin cushions throughout the week. So often people's mind states are reflected in how they arrange their cushions when they are gone, and there is such a wide range from person to person, and from day to day: Tidy or disheveled; one spare zafu, or a veritable nest of cushions, blankets and props. I can't do that, but I did take a few photos on the last day.

Here is the aforementioned hankie toiletries-holder, reminding me that ever day is a good day:
The Spring Garden outside the Sympathetic Joy dorm:


And on the drive home, I heard myself loudly exclaim: "I believe that is the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile!"

Indeed, it was.

Coming home after Sesshin, usually cleaning the house is the only thing that makes sense.

And plowing the work of Sesshin back into home practice.