Description:  Valerie and Henry explore Unmon’s Bright Light, Case 84 from the Blue Cliff Record in this final talk from our 2020 winter solstice retreat. Valerie opens with the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurring during this retreat, as a way to describe Zen practice. “Cutting the two into one… Light and darkness are one… your own great conjunction.” Valerie asks “what is your own bright light?”

Henry concludes with “ordinary mind is the way.” The dharma, or Zen, is not the way, just as the finger pointing to the moon is not the moon. Consider: the finger is the moon, is the treasure, but do not be attached.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Introduction to Koans, Thursday evening 5:30pm MT, April 14 and 21, with Henry Shukman

Original Love Q&A with Henry Shukman, Saturday April 17, 10am-noon – open to all

Reading Group, Mindfulness in Plain English, Saturday April 24, 10am-noon, led by Valerie

Original Love, Zone 2 Support and Trust, 6-Week Sunday series May 1 – June 5

Zazenkai: a Day of Zen, Saturday May 17,  6am-3:30pm

Featured Image (edited): Man before keyhole of light by rolffimages, purchased from depositphotos, for use only on our website/social channels (this image is not permitted to be shared separately from this post).