Katigiri Roshi used the image of a chick pecking at its shell from the inside while the hen pecks at the shell from the outside. I carry that as an inspiring metaphor in practice. I am giving everything I’ve got to waking up and practice; the Guide and Life are compassionately, relentlessly pecking on the outside of my shell.
We are in Zambia. The first day out in Kantolomba we met to begin laying out the new Living English program. To say that discussion was inspiring is, well, an understatement. In that conversation the image of that chick in its shell dropped in and we have been using it ever since. It really works. From the youngest 4-year-old in the program, to each of the teachers, to each of us in the Sangha we are all both the chick in the shell and the hen pecking outside. And, as far as I can tell, it truly is “the more you give the more you get.” The more you peck, the more assistance you receive. And the process of hatching is thrilling!
Visit the blogs for a detailed report. It is extraordinary! Thank you. Your participation is felt all these many thousands of miles away.
Thank you, for all you are.
Gasshō,
Jen