Swords into Blossoms: The Alchemy of Stopping and Seeing

Attending the death-themed session was very meaningful. I am very grateful to teachers Fuho and Myoyu for their guided meditations and teachings, and for providing us participants with the key points of the 6 method that we can take home for continued reflection and practice.

The teachings of the two teachers throughout the session gave me a deeper understanding of Guru Padmasambhava's verses:

Karma is not void.
Cause and effect
are exact and unfailing.

Birth and death —
the Great Matter!
Impermanence —
swift as lightning.

Days and nights pass.
Life diminishes
with every breath.

Awaken!
Do not sleep in delusion.
Do not squander
this rare human body.

Turn the light around.
Rouse the great resolve.
Break through —
before the last breath falls.

I had the privilege of attending a retreat on The Work by Byron Katie, at the Great Vow Zen Monastery.

While I am not a Buddhist, I am interested in the religion, and as a lay person felt welcome and supported by the teachers and residents, who were kind, warm, and supportive.

I learned so much, and highly recommend consideration of the temple's programs in your spiritual and personal development.

I was familiar with Byron Katie’s books before The Work retreat but had no idea how much more I would learn about the process during the 3 days I was at Great Vow. Words cannot explain the tremendous insight on so many levels I received.
The teachers of the retreat were both so kind, skillful and marvelous. They were there to support us every step of the way.
To sum it up I LOVE Great Vow so much! It is my refuge.

3 days of stillness in the city. Great food and companions.

Participating in inner criticism is like turning yourself around in front of a mirror—up, down, left, right, front, and back—so that you can truly see yourself clearly. You must be brave and honest enough to face your true self—the depths of your own heart. Inside, there is good and evil, light and darkness, and a tangled mix of disguise and authenticity intertwined with your external relationships.

It takes courage to see and honesty to confront this stubborn “self” and the attachment to “ego.” From my own learning experience, this is only the first step in self-cleansing. It may take years of self-acceptance (often a painful process) and the wisdom to protect that inner self. Only by taking this first step can one truly begin the practice of cultivating the mind and nurturing goodness.

I am deeply grateful to Teacher Jogen for his guidance to beginners in meditation. His approach is both kind and down-to-earth, and he highlighted the importance of turning our awareness inward. I am also thankful for all his teachings and final reminders. Through persistent daily meditation and prayer (self-reflection), we can cultivate the mind and nurture goodness.