Posted in Zen Buddhism

Deer Park Retreat 2004, Preparations

2/15/04 Huntington Beach, CA
I begin yet another journal. This one was purchased for my first overnight retreat, which starts at the end of this week.

May I approach it with no expectations. May I remember that there is nothing to attain.

May “I” fall away.


“The places we visit owe us nothing for the effort we expend to visit there.” – Eric Chaline, “Zen and the Art of Travel”

I can ill afford the time away from work. I’m frightened of going away by myself. I’m scared of sitting for a week when the longest I’ve ever done is a single say.

May I approach this retreat free from expectations…

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Author:

Ven. Dr. Myodo Jabo (Sandy Gougis) is a Zen Master and Priest in the Five Mountain Zen Order. She began studying Theravâdin Buddhism in 1998, adding Zen in 2003, and Vajrayana Buddhism in 2008. She currently practices in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions. Her Zen teacher is Most Ven. Wonji Dharma of the Five Mountain Zen Order, and her Tibetan guru is Lama Tsultrim Allione of Tara Mandala. In her free time, Myodo enjoys painting, jewelry making, and other creative endeavors.

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