Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a week in Venezuela. While only a 3 hour flight from Miami its a world away. Small houses covers the hillside along the expressway into the city. Music flows from every open window and people seem carefree and happy. The price of gas is ridiculously cheap ( $ 0.04 per gallon ) but traffic is unbearable. People are courteous. Being a roadside juggler seems to be a good occupation. I saw many on the streets of Caracas including one fellow who juggled flaming torches.
After spending 3 days in the city we headed for Todo Assana, a remote village on the coast. I made the following observations in my journal:
The way is not difficult when options are viewed while lying in a hammock. The burden of picking and choosing fades as the hammock sways in the tropical breeze. The urgent mind is soothed by the tranquility. Complicated plans for the future quiet and fade away.
The thatched roof cottage is red and blue with an orange horizontal stripe. Surf pounds the cliff 100 feet below. Each thundering "Ba-rooom" is followed by a long "shhhhhh" as the strong outgoing current of water rustles pebbles in the sand.
The sound of the surf sweeps my mind clean again and again. Which beach to visit today? Ba-rooom. Are Diego and Cristobal coming for lunch? Ba-rooom. Blue sky. Light rain. A rainbow so close I could almost touch the purple arch. For 5 days clouds cover the mysterious and unseen peak of a nearby mountain.
A squadron of pelicans dive low and skim the surface of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. A solitary frigate bird soars and wheels over the lush tropical rain forest and cliff side. A humming bird. A white rooster. A butterfly. A black and lime green gecko. These are the friends I met today.
In summer the sun sets in the ocean. In winter it sets out of view behind the mountain. The sky grows dark as the sun sets behind the mountain. A new moon rises accompanied by Venus. They move together on their favorite path across the evening sky, both twinkling brightly. How far is the moon? Ba-room.
If you are interested in meditation I invite you to join us now. The complete schedule is listed below.
NEWS:
• Jiun Roshi, an authentic Zen master will be making her annual visit to Miami in March. If you are interested in meditation or looking to live in harmony with present circumstances, it is suggested that you attend one of the functions connected with her visit offered by the International Zen Institute of Florida.
• Our new website is up. The address is www.kbzen.org. Thanks to Karen Levison for technical assistance and Cameron Jay Erens for the great photos. Please visit the site and forward any suggestions or comments.
CALENDAR:
• Rising Moon meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the home of Bill Durham 230 Sea View Dr. Please call or email prior to your first visit. After your first visit it is not necessary to call. Schedule: 7:30PM tea and conversation, 8:00 chanting, 8:05 meditation, 8:25 slow walking, 8:35 meditation, 9:00 finish.
• February 21 Meditation Day. A great opportunity to explore a little deeper. 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. Coconut Grove. www.IZIF.org
• March 7 - 8 Seminar with Jiun Roshi. Pinecrest. info at www.IZIF.org
• March 14 - 21 A 7 day retreat with Zen master Jiun Roshi in Micanopy, Florida. A rare and wonderful opportunity. www.IZIF.org