REFLECTIONS
Sharing reflections from the heart is a profound act of vulnerability and of faith in connection. When we open up and express our genuine thoughts and feelings, we create a space for authentic dialogue and mutual understanding. This kind of sharing strengthens relationships and undoes aloneness. It is an invitation to others to see us as we truly are and to meet us with that same quality of intimacy and empathy. We build trust along the way, allowing us to know each other on a deeper level. And by sharing our heartfelt reflections, we not only integrate and affirm our own experiences, we also validate the experiences of those who resonate with our stories.
I offer these reflections because I believe in the transformative power of telling our stories and the possibilities that it opens up for healing, belonging, and awakening. They’re longer, less polished, and close to the way words and ideas flow from my heart through my mind and into form. In truth, they’re all love letters. Expressions of gratitude for someone or some experience. My sincere hope is that my reflections from the heart inspire you to share more of yours.
Becoming Joryu Myosei
I had always intended to write the story of how I arrived at and took my bodhisattva vow. I hoped my story would serve as an offering, to inspire others to follow their own deep wisdom in creating their unique vision for a path of service. Twelve and a half years later, a recent request from Alexander, a spiritual friend discovered through a shared retreat experience, was the spark that reignited the aliveness in me to put pen to paper now. A heartfelt, white owl thank you, Alexander. May this story be fuel to fan the flame in you and others to take up your version of this path with joy and conviction.
The Quiet Dragon & the Luminous Vow
I distinctly remember the day my teacher, the Reverend Daijaku, gave me my dharma name. It never occurred to me that I might receive one, and she presented it with her usual calm, wise demeanor as we sat in her small office in San Francisco for one of our weekly meetings as I prepared to take a formal bodhisattva vow. Joryu Myosei. Quiet dragon, luminous vow. I was speechless. I was more than a little bit in awe that she saw and understood me so deeply and thoroughly and that she had managed to capture my essence perfectly in four characters, representing two ideas.
The Story of Sacred Wild Sanctuary
Sacred Wild Sanctuary was born from the profound experience of our last retreat, co-created with everyone who was there. The power of our shared circle and practice deeply moved us all. I have no doubt that the Medicine Buddha, the redwoods, and our community set this in motion, with a mission to create a space to continue gathering, practicing, and growing in community with all of you in heart and mind and with an invitation to others who weren’t on retreat to join us in this practice space as well.
A Love Letter to My Last Retreat (and Everyone Who Was There)
When a community comes together with the shared intention to slow down, to tune in, and to transform in some way – be it through receiving something that was needed or timely, letting go of something that no longer served, or opening to a new experience entirely – magic arises and weaves its way through all of us. Every time. At least that’s my experience of being on retreat. And it was certainly my experience of my last retreat, led by my dear friend and teacher, Riyaz Motan, at Land of Medicine Buddha this past April.