The first “There Is Nothing Wrong with You” retreat of the season has just ended. This retreat will always hold a special place in my heart since, as with most folks, it is the retreat that opened the door to practice for me. During the retreat I was looking at what brought me here for the first time. I would have to say it is a mystery, really, but it feels like it was love. Only love would have the courage to face all that conditioning says is broken and flawed; only love would have the willingness to hold all that is revealed in kindness and compassion.
I have the unique opportunity to both welcome folks as they arrive and see them off as they leave the Monastery. It is a changed group of folks after eight days of being in the presence of this love. Deep bows of gratitude and tears replace the separation and doubt expressed upon arrival. And so it is with me. I am deeply grateful for a practice, a Sangha, and a Guide that models the steps to take to come home to the love that is our authentic nature. Dropping self-hate seems the only possible way to express this gratitude, and then there I am, once again in love.
Gasshō,
Sequoia