In my travels I have met many people from many cultures, of varied social & economic strata. What we all have in common is a desire for connection to something greater than ourselves alone. Whether it's religion, philosophy, science, or simply devotion to family and friends, we all seem to need something beyond basic survival.
The Northeastern US, with it's multitude of cultures living side-by-side, is the perfect place to explore this theme.
"You know, every element of our bodies was made inside an exploding star. We just borrow stardust until we die, and then we return it for something else to use. We're like vibrating strings, you know. Notes of the cosmos. And each and every one of them have their own part of the song. Take away one part and that song changes, but the song never dies.”
October 2024
Eiryu-ji Zen community on retreat at the Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji monastery
