This week there's no Dharma talk from the Zendo — UVic was cleaning the carpets on Sunday, so our usual sit was cancelled. But I didn't want to leave the Sangha hungry. Instead, I'm sharing this reflection on how Zen was "de-animated" when it came west — and how we might begin to re-animate it, in relationship with land, ancestors, and the many seen and unseen beings who share our world.

It's not doctrine; it's just some thoughts I found worth writing down. May they serve you in some way.

If this resonates (or even troubles you), I'd love to hear how. Zen has always been about companionship on the Way.

Zenwest Buddhist Society: www.zenwest.ca — a living Zen community on Vancouver Island

Monarch Trancework: monarchtrancework.com — for Zen orientation, mentorship, and integration work

Support this work on Patreon: patreon.com/redmountainway