Events

I had a dream in Krakow.
I was sharing acupressure points
with a Zen meditation group
as we travelled to Auschwitz.
They were the points of grief . . .

Long-time ZLMC member, Lynn Leinartas passed away on Nov. 23, 2024 after a terrible accident left her in a coma. Lynn worked as a research librarian, for the past 24 years. She spent much of her time in service to others and helped fund a member scholarship at the Zen Center for many years.

Autumn colors of gold and yellow, flecked with red. A brightly shining sun. Schiller Park South exuded a gentle warmth of beauty as my husband and I were walking the dirt path. As we walked, we came upon a number of logs and branches across the path.

“The obstacle is the path,” Joshin said matter-of-factly as we stepped over branches, sometimes using our hands to clamber over a few of the larger logs. He didn’t stop and say, “Oh, I wish this path was clearer” or “Why doesn’t someone cut this log away and clear the path?” We simply did what we needed to do - walk over them.

In the middle of the Pacific, 2,500 miles away from the nearest continent, lies a chain of islands called Hawaii. The weather is mild and sunny with trade winds that often keep the humidity in check. Fragrant flowers and salty sea air embrace you. Colors are vivid; mountains are vast. Amidst this beauty, powerful storms and volcanic eruptions occur. Hula and I were born from this rich environment.  

My mother told me that at age six, I asked her to take me to hula class. She took me to our local Shingon Buddhist temple where Louise Beamer taught hula to children of many ages. Aunty Louise played her ukulele and sang while we danced. Her instruction was gentle. I was entranced.  

Dancers must be in touch with their bodies. We must know where our torso, head, arms, hands, legs, and feet are in time and space. This requires mindfulness and practice. It’s a source of focus and concentration as we learn to tell a story with our bodies.