The Columbia City Yoga on-line Moving into Meditation class met this morning. We reflected on our kinship with all beings. We drew on a Zen koan or teaching story to acknowledge all our relations. We contemplated how we are supported and, in turn, support others. Witnessing practice and deep caring for the natural world moves us to compassion action.
We heard a teaching story from the Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women. This book was co-edited by writers and Zen teachers Zenshin Florence Caplow and Reigetsu Susan Moon. The teaching story, The Old Woman’s Relatives, points to our inter-relatedness with the human and more than human world. Zenshin Caplow’s commentary reminds us that we are not alone. We live within a circle of caring.
We heard from eco-philosopher David Abram’s book, Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World, David’s writings remind us that our very development depends on our relations with human and more than human life. He urges us to reflect on the impact we have on the world and to care for all that we can.
We ended with Daniel Landinsky’s translation of Sufi poet, Hafiz’ poem, Today.