I want to return to this profound poem we are studying for the autumn practice period—Affirming Faith in Mind.

If mind does not discriminate, all things are as they are as one. To go to this mysterious source—frees us from all entanglements.

When all is seen with equal mind, to our self-nature we return. This single mind goes right beyond all reasons and comparison.

This poem is about Trust in Mind, Faith in our true nature, Trust in the Heart of Wisdom

Do we trust our heart-mind?

Do you have faith in the nature of your own mind? Your own heart?

This poem is a “pointing out” style teaching. Stanza by stanza, line by line—it’s pointing to the Mind beyond thought. It’s inviting us to recognize who we are beyond our strategies of defending, protecting, judging, identifying.

We too can know ourselves as mystery.

We too can know the source of all experience.

There is encouragement and support to turn towards the apparent source of our suffering, and really look into its nature. To experience for ourselves the freedom, spaciousness, clarity and love of our nature. Right, here.

Dahui in one of his letters addresses a student’s concern that he is dull, and his dullness is preventing him from realizing his true nature.

Dahui responds:

That which perceives dullness is certainly not dull itself…indeed you should use your very dullness in order to enter the Way. However, if you identify with dullness and regard yourself as incapable by nature of awakening, you will find yourself caught by the demon of dullness.

As I see it, in our ordinary way of seeing things we tend to let the desire for awakening get ahead of us and thus turn it into an obstacle preventing our true understanding from manifesting. But this obstacle is neither outside ourselves nor separate from ourselves—it is none other than the Master perceiving itself as “dull.”

For this reason everyday Ruiyan Shiyan would call to himself, “Master!” He would then answer himself, “Yes!” “Be wide awake!” he would say, and again answer himself, “Yes!” Then he would say, “Whatever the time, whatever the day, never be misled by others!” “Yes! Yes!”

Try examining this in your own way. The one who asks, what is this? is none other than the one who perceives dullness. And the one who perceives dullness is none other than your own True Self.

Whether it is dullness, distraction, anger, fear. Whatever we habitually identify with and appears to block our path. What happens when we turn our attention toward the one who is aware of this apparent block?

The “master” or True Self is always at home.

We are invited to recognize this always present awareness, for ourselves, in our own lives.

Freedom and love. Always right here.

We are entering the last weeks of this calendar year. Can we use this time to reconnect with our aspiration? To recognize the true self, and not be misled by others.

And to also appreciate the season of practice we are in. There are times where we are actually developing our discernment, our discriminating mind. Some of us are learning to trust ourselves, to stand in our karma, to take responsibility for our lives.

Part of Trust in Mind, is having the courage to take action, to follow the call when it arises. For some of us the call may take you to a monastery or into a period of inquiry and spiritual investigation. For others it may have more to do with how you are showing up in your lives, or it may be about healing, or responding to a relational challenge.

I know some of you are sitting in the question and are listening for the next step. That’s part of this path too—I listened for 7 years before I had clarity, courage, conviction and life circumstances to move to the monastery. I am listening now for the next step on this path, as I continue to deepen my practice and develop new skills.

Do not be deceived by others. I love this line. For many of us, it is a worthwhile practice to say this to ourselves, regularly. Who are these others? The thoughts in our own minds, the ones that are always comparing ourselves to someone else. What happens when we fully embrace this life? When we live our wisdom? When we honor our limitations, our karmic inheritance—and live the life we have?

Tomorrow is Bodhi Day and I will be offering a telling of the Buddha’s awakening story. We will explore the hero’s journey in the Buddha’s story and see how elements of the Buddha’s path are part of our own journey’s. Join for the Monday Night dharma to hear this talk!

I am also co-facilitating an exploration of the Astrology of the Winter Solstice with the Jung Association of Central Ohio this Saturday December 13th with Shawn Casey at the Burkhart Chapel.

Weekly Online Meditation Event

Monday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. Monday Dec 8th we will explore the Buddha’s awakening story!

Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINK

In-Person in Oregon

Universe Somatic: The Bright Thread in the Dark — January 22nd - 25th

Universe Somatic is a practice that integrates group meditation, movement and energy work with a spirit of experimentation and playfulness. We explore the union of spaciousness and embodied energies in a contemplative practice that is embodied and expressive.

The theme for this Universe Somatic is The Bright Thread In the Dark. We will play in knowing and not-knowing, hope and despair, yin and yang, creation and destruction, dancing in deep relationship with these polarities while also listening for the thread that doesn’t get stuck on either side.

Light of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 11 - 17 at Great Vow Zen Monastery

In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus Sangha

Weekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Retreats, Meditation instruction and other events can be found on our website.

Save the Dates! 2026 Mud Lotus Sesshins at Saranam Retreat Center in West Virginia

Mountains and Rivers Sesshin March 18 - 22

Interdependence Sesshin June 29 - July 5

I’m Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and Hakomi (somatic mindfulness). I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.

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